High-pitched sound harmful to children (cat repellent in the garden)

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Devices that repel cats from gardens with a high-pitched beep are causing escalating neighbor disputes all over the Netherlands. Over the past few years, residents at dozens of addresses have gotten so hostile towards each other that police had to intervene. This is evident from police data. RAYMOND BOERE AND TONNY VAN DER MEE The intrusive beep emitted by the so-called "mosquito" devices is so high that it should only be audible to cats. However, young people and those with sensitive hearing also suffer from it. Neighbors who go crazy from the noise remove the devices from the wall. The owners of these cat repellents repeatedly file complaints. Sometimes, as a reaction, they hang up cameras to gather evidence against the vandals. These, in turn, complain about privacy violations and threaten to smash the cameras. Neighborhood officers, community mediators, and social workers are busy trying to calm things down. They had to intervene in at least 35 situations to prevent escalation. This isn't always successful. The mosquito devices lead to mutual provocations, intimidation, and threats. For example, in Tilburg, the house and camper of a mosquito device owner were pelted with raw eggs. Public deception The ultrasonic beep is so high that it should only be audible to cats. However, young people and those with sensitive hearing also suffer from it. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Dutch Foundation for Noise Nuisance (NSG) receive complaints about this. 'Whether the beep has the desired effect, as manufacturers claim, is, by the way, doubted. Wageningen mosquito expert Bart Knols calls the devices "pure public deception". "There is no scientific evidence at all that it works on insects or mammals." Feline behavior therapist Marcellina Stolting is convinced of their effectiveness. "Research shows that eight out of ten cats no longer come into the garden, or stay there for shorter periods," says Stolting. Mosquito devices were initially used in public places to deter loitering youths. Belgium has banned the sale of these devices for years because they infringe on freedom of movement. The Council of Europe even advocated for a European ban. In the Netherlands, the devices are not banned. However, the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) requested its members in 2010 to be cautious and careful with placement against loitering youths, for the same reason as Belgium. The Dutch Foundation for Noise Nuisance believes that many problems could be prevented if people don't leave the mosquito devices on continuously, set them to the correct pitch, and hang them in a place where the sensor doesn't pick up other moving elements, like passing neighbors. "There's nothing else wrong with it," says spokesperson Jan Kramer. "People should be able to deal with it. A ban shouldn't be necessary as long as you can make agreements about it. Often, it escalates because there have been other irritations between neighbors for longer.'"

Source: Algemeen Dagblad, October 25, 2013, page 13.