Shown here is Porter Cable’s 20V Max Bluetooth speaker, which Lowes says is on clearance. On Amazon (here), it’s only available via a 3rd party seller.
About a week ago, I was outside at night, and the bugs bit me up bad. I put some of my kids’ not-too-toxic repellant on my arms and neck. Somehow, they got up my shirt and ate up my back.
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So, the next day I started looking for small area repellants. (I could still use some recommendations!)
I came across a device by Pestnot, advertised on Amazon as:
Pestnot ULTRASONIC PEST REPELLER PLUG IN – Pest Control (2018) UPGRADED ELECTRONIC Repellent + Night Light with MULTIPLE WAVELENGTHS to target MORE pests – Especially Mice, Mosquito & Roaches.
Is that… is that a Porter Cable speaker repurposed into an ultrasonic pest repellant device?
The plastic housing looks identical to me.
So… what do you suppose happened here?
I found Dewalt LED light heads at a surplus electronics retailer. So maybe a huge quantity of Porter Cable speakers or injection-molded housings were sold to a liquidator? Maybe the device manufacturer saw the Porter Cable device and ordered up a batch (from who?) in the same color scheme?
The internal components are likely different. A little different? I’m not compelled enough to do a teardown.
But still, I thought this was a cool and interesting find.
Michaelhammer says
That is too weird. Wouldn’t be the same parent company would it?
I have no suggestions for electronic pest control. Deet, lots of deet. If you find one that actually repels mosquitoes, please do tell.
Stuart says
I was originally looking at Thermacell, and not seriously looking at this ultrasonic stuff.
I’m also thinking of a compression shirt (long sleeves even).
John says
Thermacell works so long as it’s not windy. I strongly recommend getting one of the ones that runs off of a normal camping butane cylinder, not the little 6 hour thermacell branded ones.
Yadda says
+1 on the Thermocell recommendation. I like the butane version. It works pretty well here in Houston. On really windy days you don’t usually have to worry too much about mosquitos.
J says
Deet will eat/melt certain plastics and polyester fabrics.
Use Picaridin. It works and it won’t destroy your clothing/tents/etc.
https://sawyer.com/products/picaridin-insect-repellent/
Ecotek says
It happens sometimes. Anyone remember the Atari Jaguar? After cancelling the home console Atari sold the mold for the housing. It was repurposed into a dental device. I figure a company can save a few bucks not having to have the tooling built from scratch.
Stuart says
But the same colors?
Aaron says
They may have also sold the resin too or the same exact Chinese company made both instead of scrapping everything. Could tell more with the back view. And if so, very clever!
Toolfreak says
I’d guess when the company that produces the speaker for Porter+Cable/SBD gets the notice that it’s no longer being sold, they find another buyer who can use the item, with slight modifications. They probably even modifiy all the existing inventory that won’t ship. Whatever it takes to eek profit out of everything they make. If it’s a company that still does business with SBD, they likely sell the existing products, and anything unique to making it, to some other company, since if they still have a SBD contract, they move on to making the new model/next thing.
I’d guess it’s not too different on the inside, since it’s still an audio device, just a different speaker/audio transmitter and it plugs in and runs on 120V wall power so it doesn’t need the bulky rear for the battery and connector or the audio controls.
If you browse China/Asia-market tool sites, you’ll see lots of old housing designs from major brands being repurposed for no-name/questionable companies. It can be pretty nostalgic. Just another way China does business and why they are so well known for IP infringement and theft.
I guess it’s better than all the parts going to the trash heap or being scrapped, though.
As for pest control, all the stuff I’ve read says the sonic stuff is just a gimmick.
If you want something for a small area, a citronella candle might do the trick.
Jolly Wahlstrom says
If you want to save some time and money, just write ‘Bugs stay away’ on a piece of masking tape and put it near the area you want to be bug free. It works just as well as those electronic bug devices. I’ve seen people get suckered using them for rat and mouse control too and eventually had to pay me to actually fix the problem.
Stuart says
I’m not interested in the product discussed here; as mentioned, I came across it while doing a general search, and following up on a Thermocell recommendation I had read about.
I don’t remember how or when, but I have a fairly firm assumption of these devices being essentially useless.
I’m tempted to go the Citronella route, but the Thermocell seems a little more practical, if it works.
fred says
Wait a minute. What about the Pied Piper of Hamlin?
Oh – I forgot – that was just a fairy tale.
Nathan says
hell if that actually worked and I could run it on tool batteries – I’d rig up a dewalt to PC adapter setup easy enough.
I’d buy one. fantastic idea.
I have use the mobile app things where you setup your mobile to spit out a 11000 hz or other higher frequency sound and it keeps stuff away. It often works OK – but you need more speaker than your mobile can put out. Many can’t even replicate the sound wave. But a plug in speaker often can – probably some BT models.
Kilroy says
For bug control when you’re not moving around too much (e.g., when you are in the backyard or deck/patio, not when you are on a hike), I like to use the tiki torches.
The fuel for them is WAY overpriced, however, at $12-20/gallon. Instead, I use kerosene (most gas stations around me sell it, usually for $1-1.50 more per gallon than regular unleaded) and add a little essential oil. The essential oils probably aren’t really necessary, as I suspect that the smoke from the kerosene alone would work, but they can’t hurt. I personally use cedar and citronella essential oils mixed in with the kerosene, but others could be used too (thinking of trying peppermint and lavender in the next batch), and Amazon sells a lot of EOs for $10-12 per 4 oz, which will last a LONG time in proper use.
Kerosene burns a little faster it seems than the regular tiki torch oil, but the price difference is so great that it’s well worth the savings, and not much more of a hassle to buy a few gallons of kerosene every summer and add a few squirts of essential oils. I tried using a vegetable oil base in the past in the tiki torches, but that was too thick to be drawn up the wicks very well. Kerosene is cheap, available, easy to light and stays lit in strong winds, relatively safe, and easy to extinguish when I’m done.
With 6 tiki torches (some set at ground level, some set 4-5′ high; I try to get a curtain of smoke blowing over/near me no matter which direction the breeze comes from) around a 10×20′ patio/deck area, bugs stay away from me and generally try to commit suicide by ramming the bright flood lights overhead instead.
The yeti says
Bounce sheets are so lethal no animal will go anywhere near em. Tuck em under your hat to keep horse flies off your face.
Tie one where u can. Hang a few in your tent .
Spent a little time in the thick bush. Bounce sheets are the best i have found.
For what its worth. Dogs wont even go near bounce sheets.
Jim Felt says
Or just move to where there are no biting/flying bugs.
Kidding. Too many people have already figured this out. Dang.
Craig says
I’ve had a bit of luck with the citronella plants. They’re some type of geranium I believe and have been deeply discounted at local HD’s. However I doubt they would do the trick if you have a lot of standing water or wooded area nearby but maybe worth a shot for the $3 I’ve seen them selling for
Farid says
This is not unusual. Companies sometimes shop for molded enclosures instead of designing their own. We see that often in industrial electronics. Sometimes they strike an exclusive deal if the volumes are high, but for lower volumes, it makes sense to use a shared design. Molds are really expensive to make.
audiovideofreak says
Looking for something that repels snakes from my backyard, and dogs from my front yard. Any suggestions?
The yeti says
Move . Jesus. Snakes ? Id suggest a 22 pistol if u live in USA . If in some other country. I dont know what the law would allow. Id just move if there were any snake issues
Stuart says
Well, at least you won’t have mice!
Kilroy says
For snakes, the usual recommendation is to clean up thick brush, hiding spots, piles of logs/branches, and basking spots (e.g., rocks and pavement that get warmed by the sun). If they are just garter snakes etc, not poisonous, best to let them be and let them eat up bugs for you.
Alternatively, if you have (or have a friend who has) a smallish dog who likes to hunt small animals (Maybe a terrier would be best? Some toy-size dogs like shih tzus like to go after small lizards and any other animals they can catch), letting them hunt non-poisonous snakes could be quite the entertainment for dog and human.
Not sure if the motion activated sprinklers would be sensitive enough to detect a snake, but I’d be tempted to try those just for the laughs, and return if the cold water didn’t scare the snake away. I know that the motion activated sprinklers often work on stray/feral cats.
Paul says
You can mix sulphur and roundup in a sprayer and go around the edge of your property and it helps keep the snakes out I was told since they use their tongue to sense they are annoyed by the sulphur and won’t cross over a area sprayed with it and the roundup keep the brush from growing so it reduces the cover they like ot hide in. Of course if you are in an area with a lot of rain you will have to reallpy often I’m sure.
Lightheaded says
I have a very effective solution that I have been using for several years to keep mosquitoes and other flying insects at bay. It works best if everyone is in one specific area plus you need electricity. Set up a couple of oscillating fans to sweep the occupied area. It is no problem to clear a 15 x 15 foot deck using a couple of 14 inch room fans on high speed. Bigger fans for larger areas. Give it a try tonight.
KokoTheTalkingApe says
Re mosquito control:
DEET and picardin do work, though the various formulations may vary by odor, effective period, skin feel, etc. Last I heard, the go-to for serious jungle trekkers is 3M’s Ultrathon, which has a timed-release DEET formula, which also supposedly is less damaging to plastics (because the amount of DEET released at any moment is less). Citronella, cedar oil, and ultrasonic repellents are worthless. Repellents with oil of lemon eucalyptus do work, surprisingly.
Here is Consumer Reports’ ratings list. I think non-subscribers will be able to read it.
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/insect-repellent/ratings-overview/
But if you are staying in one area like your back yard, you don’t have to spray it on yourself. You can spray it on plants, furniture, etc. I once held a dinner party out by our pool, and sprayed a quick perimeter with Off! Worked great.
ExOfficio has a line of clothing, hats and bandannas with long-lasting insect repellent infused into the fabric. You can also buy repellent designed specifically to be sprayed on clothing.
Also, an electric fan aimed at you works pretty well. Mosquitoes are not strong flyers, so even a mild breeze can keep them from alighting.
I have seen people claim that they can reduce the mosquitoes in an area by stretching a simple filter like cheesecloth across a box fan, and leaving it on. The mosquitoes are trapped against the filter.
And of course, you have to get rid of any stagnant water in the area, like puddles, old tires, etc.
Nathan S says
Consumer Reports puts the sonic repellants on the do not buy list. You could try just a big fan, like a livestock fan or even a box fan. Mosquitoes have a hard time flying in turbulence.
Nathan says
I heard lemon and eucalyptus thing before.
same with the bounce sheets.
However pool stores in my area sell this misting system that squirts out the occasionally shot of a chrysanthemum oil blend and I have to say it works amazingly well.
Jeff says
What good is this stupid article without an actual teardown?
Stuart says
I know, right? Let me know when you have some teardown images of both products and I’ll be happy to add them to the post.
Norm Huizenga says
Same thing happened with Craftsman Nextec batteries. Walmart was selling some Hypertough 12V tools. An easy cut with a razor knife, and the batteries worked in the Nextec tools.
Stuart says
That’s different; Chervon was the OEM for Craftsman Nextec tools. In a similar context, Black & Decker Matrix and Craftsman Bolt-On tools and accessories are fully compatible (at least the last I checked).
As far as I was aware, the speaker was a Porter Cable product, and not a licensed product. Sometimes brands (in addition to private label brands) have OEM manufacturing contracts, but I don’t recall seeing anything like this before, where a power tool accessory housing reappeared as a completely different product, and with the same color scheme.
SteveP says
Once the mold is made, it’s easy to make as many parts as needed – maybe after the customer run is done, they cranked out some extras. And in some cases, hundreds if not thousands are rejected for minor imperfections.
But more importantly – you do know there is absolutely no scientific evidence that and of these ultrasonic pest repellants work, right? The ones with a flash and a high-frequency burst do startle cats in your garden, but they do nothing to deter mice, rats or mosquitoes
Stuart says
Yep – I had 0% interest in even considering to purchase the product. It came up in my search for the Thermocell, along with numerous other no-name questionable performance products.