Scam alert – These products do not keep off mosquitos
12.6.2018
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Several field studies have long proven that ultrasound products have no effect on mosquitos. Yet the whole sector just keeps on selling these products. The whole sector? Not Galaxus. We are banishing them from our range.
I would like to apologise for Galaxus being just another cogwheel in the distribution mechanism of these ineffective devices. To date, we have been guilty of selling the following useless products:
The product descriptions promise miracles – even though it is old hat that mosquitos do not react to ultrasound. Take Windhager’s mosquito defence «Watch» for example. It’s description roughly translates as follows: «Targeted sound frequency keeps mosquitos and midges at bay – subtly and immediately. No matter where you are, you’ll always be protected!»
A downright lie!
A bold claim that is in fact a total lie. And there are oodles of manufacturers of such products out there. It’s something I’ve come to expect from politicians. I guess I might as well go out and buy one of Mike Shiva’s healing pyramids. Or give the self-proclaimed Yogi I encountered outside our office the 50 francs he wanted for children in India (after he told me my future even though I didn’t want to hear it).
Studies have disproved effects of ultrasound on mosquitos for decades
If you don’t believe me, try a Google search. It will provide you with plenty of information, including this Spiegel article published over ten years ago (in German). The article mentions over ten field studies as well as 30 years’ experience testing ultrasound in Africa, North America and Russia. The sobering result: «All ten studies reached the conclusion that there was no difference between the number of mosquitos on the bodies of the test subjects.»
Still not convinced the product is useless? Try consulting Google again. The list of reports on this topic is long. Swiss consumer programmes Kassensturz and Espresso also covered the subject and concluded: «High-frequency buzzers have no effect on mosquitos. Although both the male and the female mosquito have very sensitive hearing, they only hear lower frequencies and are unable to perceive ultrasound.»
Why would you sell this kind of thing?
But why would you sell a product that bleeds dry customers' wallets?
This is what I asked myself two weeks ago after stumbling across ultrasound devices when I was buying mosquito plugs for my home.
I ask my colleagues in Category Management the same question. They are responsible for the respective products. But nobody has an answer. All we can say is that these products simply went unnoticed by all of us.
In any case, none of this matters anymore. All said products have been kicked out of our shop.
My job is done.
Nonetheless, I’m still not entirely satisfied. The products are still available elsewhere.
Postscript:
It’s been almost two weeks since I started to use this mosquito plug and I’m happy with it. Although I still get bitten when I’m on the balcony, the little beasts leave me alone in the bedroom. I really hope this product keeps on doing its job.
Martin Jud
Senior Editor
martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.chI find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.
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