Does an ultrasonic pest repellent actually work?

I have seen advertisements for Riddex (http://www.riddexplus.tv/?cid=551488) and I am wondering if it works or do you know of one that does (that isn’t too expensive, we don’t have a lot of money). The apts we live in the people around us are DIRTY so we have ants and the occasional mouse and roach. While I am constantly on top of cleaning and have had the bug man here SEVERAL times (I hate that around my two girls, one is 3 yrs the other is 7 months). Of course we have flies galore too! We finally figure it is dirty neighbors (they are always leaving food outside). We have said something to the apartment complex with no help and even inquired at the health department, they said “occasional” was not “enough” to be considered a “problem”.

So I am wondering if these REALLY work? Like I said I have a 3 year old (Ally) and a 7 month old (Gabby) so I don’t want anything that is going to hurt my girls and Ally has a new pet Parakeet (named what else Birdie). I need to know if this product REALLY works or a product that WILL work that won’t hurt my family.

Also any other suggestions are up for grabs too!!

Is this method of training my parakeet to talk going to work?

I have recorded my voice saying “hello” over and over and put it on a cd. i put the raido next to its cage and played it. WILL THIS WORK OR IS THERE A BETTER WAY?

Thanks
i would pet him and talk to him but he goes crazy even when you get near. my tame one died when it got its foot stuck in bottom of the cage.
does anybody know about how long it will take to teach him to say hello