Thousands of Indians die from snake bites every year, and we kill more snakes in fear and revenge. For many years, activists have been trying to help humans and snakes without causing loss of life. A Karnataka company called Prasadam Industries claims to have found a solution. It has developed a reinforced walking stick, which it describes as "a solar-powered ultrasonic rodent repellent that emits ultrasonic waves designed to keep snakes at least 50 meters away." Currently farmers can get it for free, but the company It is planned to start sales at the end of July.

Well-made videos are very popular on social media. Some people in the media seem to have accepted the sales promotion at surface value. An old saying applies to them here: If it—in this case, the anti-snake device—sounds too good to be true, then it is.

Frequencies above 20kHz are ultrasonic, but snakes can feel low-frequency sounds below 1kHz. No snake of any kind is known to be able to hear high frequencies. In 2001, the US Federal Trade Commission stated that there was no evidence that ultrasonic deterrent devices could repel insects, rodents, or any other animal pests. It warned manufacturers to support their claims with scientific evidence. If rodents that can hear ultrasonic frequencies are not repelled by them, how likely are these frequencies to drive away snakes?

When questioned, the administrator of the Prasadam Industries page on Facebook (FB) replied: "This is not an ultrasonic wave, but a vibration pulse felt by a nearby snake... We are equivalent to a hangover headache." A subsequent publication stated that The gadget will emit "earthquake pulses." However, the narration in the FB page and their video continues to say that it generates ultrasound. There are no field trials or demonstrations available for analysis.

Ashleigh Wolfe of Curtin University in Western Australia studied the effectiveness of anti-snake devices, including two types of vibration devices, and found that they were needed. "Snakes often appear in industrial areas, warehouses and roadsides to bask in the sun, where there are a lot of very loud and constant vibrations," she said. They will not be delayed by large machinery and heavy vehicles that could kill them by ground shaking. So how does a small monotonous repetitive device counter them?

The ineffectiveness of this device is not benign; it causes real harm. Advice from environmentalists and activists on how to reduce contact with snakes includes carrying a flashlight and wearing shoes at night. If farmers think that they can scare away snakes by simply putting down a device, they will gain a false sense of security. They will not take the necessary precautions, which will lead to more bites. Such gadgets that provide safe shortcuts do no good to humans or snakes.

The author is a freelance journalist who specializes in wildlife science and conservation practices in India

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Printable version | December 10, 2021 1:00:07 AM | https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/snake-oil/article24488820.ece

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The reduction in out-of-pocket expenses highlighted by the NHA is mainly due to the decline in care utilization