Varmint Control

Ever heard of the hantavirus?

How about your basic pack rat? They make their nests with debris which they prefer to relieve others of in some way shape or form.

OK, well... At least I like to think they do. :-) The vermin!

Aside from liability worries these days, it would be difficult to find another C.L. Stong (who was an EE as well as a talented writer, amateur scientist etc.). Apparently, he actually built almost all of the projects nominally contributed by others himself, which would have been at least a full-time job, especially considering the time-consuming sourcing of specialized bits.

There was probably enough stuff in progress at his death to fill another book.

Interesting Wikipedia article about the column-- including the fiasco involving Forrest Mims.

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

\\ \\Get yourself one of those Super Shooter water guns and use the soapy \\water for the wasps. \\ \\Insecticides usually are a nerve poison for the bugs...and you. \\ \\TMT

That sounds like a good idea, a lot better distance than the pump handle bottles!

RogerN

Nick Cramer wrote in news:20090628205541.728$ snipped-for-privacy@newsreader.com:

well,rats are vermin,not varmint. and your example is a FARM situation,a lot different than urban.

"RogerN" wrote in news:8I-dnUZdNNM1jtXXnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@earthlink.com:

No hypocrite,as the spray gets used INSIDE my home,not outdoors. And bugs are vermin,not varmint. Many people can't construct a REASONably equivalent scenario.

Joel Koltner wrote in news:WuX1m.273127$ snipped-for-privacy@en-nntp-02.dc.easynews.com:

Nor do I. they are VERMIN,not varmint.

A can of ether (Starting fluid works, if you are sure there are no open flames or sparks to ignite it. I discovered that the hard way one day when i was in my shop, and a swarm of wasps was trying to sting me. The electric was off in the building, and it was the only thing within reach. they dropped to the ground, dead, as soon as the spray touched them.

Sure, all good enough reasons for trying to remove -- or kill, if necessary -- rats when they get too close to human civilization. (Although in Nick's case he was killing them because they were eating food that was meant for the chickens.)

As humans we're supposed to be smart enough to "manage" the rest of wildlife, though -- hence limited hunting seasons to kill animals in what ought to be a more humane means than letting them starve to death. In the overall scheme of things, usually it makes no more sense to try to completely eradicate 100% of a given species any more than it does to adopt some ridiculous "back to nature" policy where you don't kill any critters that spread disease or are just a major nuisance.

How incredibly short-sited of them. Sheesh.

Next thing you know people will be discriminating against Jews. Oh, wait...

I like that one. That ought to take care of the field mice and the 'chipmunks'.

...Jim Thompson

My favorite for bees and wasps inside the house is hair spray. Zap 'em and run. They fly a few seconds then seize up. Hilarious ;-)

...Jim Thompson

Sorry, fuckface, but you're wrong again - that is one of your nyms isn't it? SciAm did publish plans under their Amateur Scientist heading on more than one occasion. But you are sure they didn't, aren't you? Are you just as sure about your claim of celibacy? Some of these articles date back to the interval from the mid-1960's to mid-1970's, not too long after one of your mom's turds becames fertilized to result in YOU! Besides, you were far too concerned with rebuilding automobile engines and covering pool tables at the time. Ready to try the puzzle? Ready to explain your celibacy?

Works better if you hold a match in front of the spray..

(don't you try this, you idiots, you'll kill/burn/maim yourselves)

As opposed to cold, boiling water - eh Archie? Now about your claim of celibacy ...

Some helpful soul has indexed them. Around 1974 if the following is to be believed. But I don't think the nitrogen one was that destructive.

Sounds about the right period. Rutgers have the earlier 1971 CO2 laser instructions online which was also a dangerous beast with an invisible beam. Quite hard to get working though ...

There is a CD of all the C.L. Stong Amateur Scientist been on SurplusSheds remainders list for years.

Regards, Martin Brown

I _do_own_ a flame weeder ;-)

...Jim Thompson

Perhaps the ultra-orthodox variety who become violent over public parking lots being at the wrong time...

.. might not be the best choice as science writers.

Now, if we could just get dimbulb to eat a pound of dry, instant grits, along with flour and cement....

We did that in the boy scouts, when all the firewood was wet. One new member thought he had packed deoderant early that morining, and he was about to toss the can in the trash.