Thread: Ultrasonic 'mosquitoes' vs. teenage loiterers

I put this here as it's news, but not strictly concerning music (but sort of, some members here would consider this to be music, but that's another story).

Today in the news here, there are reports of ultrasonic tones being piped around areas where teenagers congregate to ward them off doing things like vandalism. This is occuring in Western Australia.

These tones can only be heard by people under 25. They are described as being very annoying and high frequency like mosquitoes.

Proponents of this - eg. business owners or school authorities where youths hang out after dark - say that they are just protecting their property from potential vandalism and the safety/comfort of the majority of people who use these facilities.

Civil liberties groups say it's an infringement of civil liberties.

I could not find a report on Western Australia, but found THIS report from Canada in 2008.

So, is this kind of thing being done around your neck of the woods. What do you think? We've had discussions about this before, but to do with classical music (or crooners, or jazz, etc.) being piped around these types of areas, not sounds specifically designed to ward off youths & teenagers.

Interesting - they used to play classical music for the same purpose.

Originally Posted by Couchie

Interesting - they used to play classical music for the same purpose.

They still do in a passage between two streets that I often use. In fact they play opera. I have fun trying to guess the tenor.

^^Yes, I said it in my OP, they also played (at a place here) crooners like Barry Manilow that teens find horrible & cheesy. But this is controversial as it targets people under 25 - only they have the fine hearing to be able to hear this ultrasonic noise (I would guess maybe dogs would be able to hear it too, their hearing is much more sensitive than humans').

Ironic that when I was searching for an article on this, I came across Ultrasonic Mosquito Repeller & other bug repellent devices. They emit sounds to drive away the bugs. But in this case, sounds are being used to drive away humans!

Originally Posted by mamascarlatti

They still do in a passage between two streets that I often use. In fact they play opera. I have fun trying to guess the tenor.

If I were still young and wild {both qualities long since gone} that would have been a lead pipe cinch to keep me away from your neighborhood!

Originally Posted by samurai

If I were still young and wild {both qualities long since gone} that would have been a lead pipe cinch to keep me away from your neighborhood!

A lot of people (not just young'uns) go through at a sharp trot looking rather hunted.

Originally Posted by mamascarlatti

A lot of people (not just young'uns) go through at a sharp trot looking rather hunted.

If that were me, I am quite sure that I would be looking haunted as well as hunted, especially if it's Wagner they are playing!

There is an electronic device that is supposed to keep away pests such as Rats, Mice, Cockroaches and the like by emitting high frequency sounds this may also work for the said purpose, I may see if they have a portable version

Originally Posted by Sid James

^^Yes, I said it in my OP, they also played (at a place here) crooners like Barry Manilow that teens find horrible & cheesy. But this is controversial as it targets people under 25 - only they have the fine hearing to be able to hear this ultrasonic noise (I would guess maybe dogs would be able to hear it too, their hearing is much more sensitive than humans').

Ironic that when I was searching for an article on this, I came across Ultrasonic Mosquito Repeller & other bug repellent devices. They emit sounds to drive away the bugs. But in this case, sounds are being used to drive away humans!

There is very little difference between teenagers and bugs. But i would have thought that as it's in Australia it may actually be Avant Garde's music they are piping at the teenbugs.

Originally Posted by moody

There is very little difference between teenagers and bugs. But i would have thought that as it's in Australia it may actually be Avant Garde's music they are piping at the teenbugs.

I did get several emails asking if they could use my music, but I declined the offer and told them off for treating juveniles like vermin. Anyway, it's a well known fact in my age group that these "ultrasonic mosquitoes" attract young people to the area.

Originally Posted by ComposerOfAvantGarde

I did get several emails asking if they could use my music, but I declined the offer and told them off for treating juveniles like vermin. Anyway, it's a well known fact in my age group that these "ultrasonic mosquitoes" attract young people to the area.

Sure. Whippersnappers are often foolish, but they ain't necessarily stupid. If you wear hearing protection, maybe you are fine ... and those [expletive] flies stay away.

[Some of you may be uninitiated. The reason many Aussies have muscular arms is not because they lift a lot of beer mugs. It's the constant repetition of the Aussie Salute.]

Anything that deters anti-social behaviour is fine by me but most young loiterers are probably wearing MP3 earpieces anyway so they wouldn't hear it. If only something similar could be done about the often appalling and very repetitive noise pollution otherwise known as techno which thuds from the car stereos driven by spotty over-testosteroned oiks fantasising that they are from Compton or the Bronx.

A high pitched whisle that starts once any noise reaches an annoying volume?

Originally Posted by Sid James

^^Yes, I said it in my OP, they also played (at a place here) crooners like Barry Manilow that teens find horrible & cheesy. But this is controversial as it targets people under 25 - only they have the fine hearing to be able to hear this ultrasonic noise (I would guess maybe dogs would be able to hear it too, their hearing is much more sensitive than humans').

Ironic that when I was searching for an article on this, I came across Ultrasonic Mosquito Repeller & other bug repellent devices. They emit sounds to drive away the bugs. But in this case, sounds are being used to drive away humans!

I was at the cafe at the theatre tonight. There are several theatres in the theatre complex. The show I was in ended early. The next show was due to come out. Management put the music on loud. We left. Old people respond just as predictably.

I'm far from being a teenager, yet they played a snippet of these ultrasonic sounds on the radio, and I could hear it. They said only under 25's could hear it. Looks like some people might fall into the firing line of these annoying sounds. I know my hearing is very good, even for my age. & YES, it was very annoying sound, even for about the few seconds they played it.

So I think Barry Manilow is better, or ol' blue eyes, or any crooner like Tony Bennett. Just play that. Maybe some classical as well, I've heard that played at railway stations here. I remember hearing Vaughan Williams, which was kinda wierd in that context.

Agree with you fully, elgars ghost. I just hate it when people play music too loud in their car, like the windows in the house shake. I don't share my music with them, so why are they sharing it with me. Some people are just too generous! (not).