The Rodenator...

[Bogie]

One would think that I would have heard of this before...
 
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/grd/d/sullivan-rodenator-r1-underground-flame/7433692725.html
 
Heh... Needs an O2 tank?
 
I suspect that one could get a sizable fireball...
 

[HankB]

I like the seller's comment . . . "it looks like it would work" . . . 

[230RN]

SOP, but don't need all that equipment.  Just a source of propane, tubing, and an ignition system, such as a spark plug or even a cannon fuse.

Mix propane and air (already in the hole) insert ignition system, cover hole, ignite.  Overpressure kills the underground beasts.  Can go awry, but just shovel the dirt back in the hole.

Propane and plain old air make a pretty good explosive mixture, don't need O2.  Here's a multi-firing bird dispersal system for orchards:

https://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/animal/WCSRJM8.html

[Fly320s]

Like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzApW0WsVfs

[Ben]

Like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzApW0WsVfs

 

Was that the gopher flopping around next to the yellow hose?

[Fly320s]

Was that the gopher flopping around next to the yellow hose?

Might have been.  I thought it was a small fire at first. 

[HankB]

Like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzApW0WsVfs

Wonder if he broke any windows with that boom . . . 

The dogs didn't seem terribly frightened - maybe they're used to these sort of goings on.

[Ben]

I'm lucky that never happened to my dad. He used to love gassing the gophers with propane, but never lit it off. They did that a lot in the farm fields in CA for ground squirrels. Some of the explosions were pretty spectacular.

I would not want to use this method with the pocket gophers and Piute ground squirrels I get by my house. Those guys tunnel like crazy. Even though most of my mounds have been a good distance from my house, I have found "sunken areas" in my back lawn, and when I probed, I found tunnels. Don't know if they are new or old. Nevertheless, I would hate to fill a ginormous tunnel system like that from a mound 50 yards from the house, and then turn out to have an explosion right next to the foundation.

[230RN]

Wonder if he broke any windows with that boom . . . 

The dogs didn't seem terribly frightened - maybe they're used to these sort of goings on.

Good ole bird dawgs.

[Bogie]

Folks have been killed by people running hoses from exhaust pipes into holes that opened up in crawlspaces, etc...

[230RN]

Bird Banger

https://youtu.be/BQrv-Y6yDU0 (2:38)

Effectiveness:

https://youtu.be/EQJJ3g7HLe4 (0:30

Dogs probably barking at the bird noise.

Details:

https://youtu.be/X4OUr2HfVN8 (1:58)

No O₂ needed beyond atmospheric.

I would think the music alone would do the trick. 

[Bogie]

You know, some folks just pour gasoline down the hole. Stand around, watch where you see vapor, roll a rock on that, and after a little bit, stand back and toss a gas-soaked torch at the main hole...

[230RN]

They do?

If you say so. 

Gasoline tends to stick around nearly forever when spilled on the ground.



Terry

[Bogie]

Saw some folks at Knob Creek build their bonfire in a little bit of a depression. It was interesting watching them light it. There was a Foom.
 
As for it sticking around... It does bad things to groundhogs that dig holes that cause steers to break legs. And it is cheap, or at least it was. Blow it up, tamp it down.

[230RN]

Yes, foom.

The vapors travel outward, unseen, along the ground, mixing with air.

You apply ignition source to the main mass.

Foom indeed. 

https://youtu.be/BCXjlshi770 (0:27 of fun, fun, fun)

Dumbest effing thing I ever heard of.

But... Yes... people do it.

Acetone acts in a similar manner.  The heavy vapors creep along the floor until they reach an ignition point.  Like the pilot light in the furnace.

Foom.

And the foomer becomes the foomee.

Terry, 230RN

[Bogie]

The knob creek thing was more of a foom, rather than a boom - they stood back a piece... What was really impressive was when one idjit tried to open up a running Coleman stove to pour fuel in... They did a FAST medivac for those guys. Never did hear if they made it... There was a brief glow in the sky.

[BobR]

I remember a while back we discussed the Rodenator. When I was in Spokane the City Parks Dept used one to get rid of ground squirrels until the locals had a hissy fit. They were happier with sidewalks collapsing and other damage i guess.

https://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=7615.msg123846#msg123846


bob

[Cliffh]

Yes, foom.

The vapors travel outward, unseen, along the ground, mixing with air.

You apply ignition source to the main mass.

Foom indeed. 

https://youtu.be/BCXjlshi770 (0:27 of fun, fun, fun)

Dumbest effing thing I ever heard of.

But... Yes... people do it.

Acetone acts in a similar manner.  The heavy vapors creep along the floor until they reach an ignition point.  Like the pilot light in the furnace.

Foom.

And the foomer becomes the foomee.

Terry, 230RN

I've got a burn area setup in the backyard.  Used sheets of corrugated steel to make an enclosure ~ 12'x12'x2'.  Filled it about 5' high with tree limbs, brush etc.  Poured about a cup of gasoline on it.  Tossed a light piece of paper in.

Blew out the side of the enclosure.

Since then I use the propane weed burner to light it off.

[K Frame]

My Grandfather always used a bundle of rags, corn stalks, whatever, soaked in some kerosene to light his brush piles.

[RocketMan]

I've been using used motor oil from my yard equipment.  Starts nice and easy, no whoomph.

[Cliffh]

I've tried using used motor oil, but have a hard time getting it to light. 

[Fly320s]

I've tried using used motor oil, but have a hard time getting it to light.

Pour some gasoline on it.   

[Bogie]

Let the oil soak a little... Small amount of gas in a small area, throw something at it, and it will catch the oil, which will then catch the gopher on fire.

[Cliffh]

Let the oil soak a little... Small amount of gas in a small area, throw something at it, and it will catch the oil, which will then catch the gopher on fire.

And then there's a gopher on fire, running around the yard setting everything else on fire.

[230RN]

My Grandfather always used a bundle of rags, corn stalks, whatever, soaked in some kerosene to light his brush piles.

Kerosene is a leeeetle bit different from gasoline.  Lower vaporization. People can use it indoors.

       

Yes, mantle-type gasoline lanterns can also be used indoors but you dast not spill any white gas in the house or tent and then attempt to get one going.

Foom.