Gizmodo: pests

Victor Mouse Trap Is Really an Electrocution Dungeon

Mark Wilson — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:20:00 EST

Just listen to this announcer. Have you ever heard someone so happy, nay, spiritually fulfilled over rodent control? We're pretty sure he was paid to do this voice over for the Victor Multi-Kill Electronic Mouse Trap, a $100 mini chamber that electrocutes 150 mice per set of batteries, but we're also pretty sure that the announcer turned around with his paycheck from the spot and picked up a unit for himself. Maybe he was just sick and tired of eating his mice sandwiches cold, which is fair. [Victor]

10 Hilarious Ways To Kill Summertime Pests With Gadgets

Sean Fallon — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Nothing puts a damper on summertime activities quite like an infestation of pests. The warm weather brings out all kinds of creepy-crawlies, and getting the upper hand on them is no easy task. There are plenty of traditional methods of handling the situation, but they all lack one key element—fun. Indeed, a twisted type of pleasure can be derived from exterminating these pests if you have the right tools. So arm yourself with the following gadgets and enjoy some sick summertime fun.

Manual Methods:

Bug Net Launcher Gun: Just pull the trigger and four darts will shoot out carrying a net for capturing bugs. Available for $20. [Amazon]

Bug Zapper Tennis Racket: Fry those pesky insects and work on your backhand at the same time. Just two AA batteries will provide enough juice to electrocute the little suckers on contact. Available for $10. [Product Page]

Delete Key Flyswatter: It's old school, but any nerd can appreciate this method. Available for $8. [Spoon Sisters]

Let the Gadgets Do the Dirty Work:

Electronic Venus Fly Trap: Bait is hidden inside the mouth of the trap, which is fitted with two sensors that quickly snap the jaws shut when a fly is detected. After the deed is done, the jaws reopen and the trap emits a satisfied burp. Available for around $40. [Eurocosm via Link]

Talking Bug Zapper: This inhumanely hysterical twist on the old-fashioned bug zapper adds one of 15 phrases including “that’s gonna leave a mark,” and “goodbye cruel world!” when the bugs come in contact with the grid. It's probably more annoying than anything else, but it's cheap at only $20. [Product Page]

DIY Projects:

Electric Roach Motel: This little DIY project can generate 10 pulses at 400 volts per second using a 9 volt battery and a PIC12F683 with a switchable clock speed. That will fry a roach up good. However, it is probably not a good idea to have around if you have dogs, small children or gigantic, clumsy feet. [Mondo Technology via Link]

Lego Mousetrap: Mice are not usually a major problem in the summertime, but when the weather starts getting cooler they can be a real nuisance. Fortunately, you can put your love of Legos to good use by building a simple trap that is activated by a pressure plate. [True Dimensions via Link]

Torture:

Watch a Bug: It is supposed to be educational, but the bottom line is that you are holding a bug hostage in a tiny prison attached to your wrist. Whether it lives or dies a slow, agonizing death is up to you. Available for $5. [Wowcoolstuff]

Mosquito Spring-Loaded Bear Trap: Okay, this mini mosquito bear trap probably won't work, but if it ever did that would be a hunting tale for the ages. Available for $4. [FH Trading Post]

Let the Bugs Choose Their Own Fate:

Pest Decide: The device will draw in bugs using a set of UV LEDs, but which side will they choose? The blue light of Heaven or the red light of Hell? Either way, they still get zapped. Now that is cold. Available for around $28. [Lazybone]

Flygun Adds a Twist to Traditional Fly Extermination

Travis Hudson — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:00:10 EDT

Fly swatters are just so dull. Introducing the Flygun. This gun shoots a fly-exterminating perforated disc that can eliminate the bugs, given that your aim is decent. $7 each. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Ubergizmo]

ScareCrow Sprinkler Deterrent: For Timid Beasts Only

Charlie White — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:33:59 EDT

Scare the bejeebers out of those pesky animals eating your plants or otherwise wreaking havoc in your yard with the ScareCrow Sprinkler Deterrent, basically a battery-operated sprinkler with a built-in motion detector. Hook it up to your garden hose and if it detects movement, it unleashes a burst of spray that might just scare away the more timid beasts.

Only one problem with that, though: some animals might actually like this thing, gathering around for the fun of their lives just like children playing around an open fire hydrant. That said, it only uses 2-3 cups of water per scare, and covers 1200 square feet of area. Running on a single 9-volt battery, test the mettle of the animals intruding into your personal space for $80. – Charlie White

ScareCrow Sprinkler Deterrent [Oh Gizmo]

Robotic Roach Fools Real Ones, Teaches Them To Party Down

Gizloco — Fri, 26 May 2006 11:54:37 EDT

Europe, the same continent that produced conquistadors and the Inquisition, has now produced robotic cockroaches that scientists hope will influence cockroach societies everywhere. The scientists call the robotic roach an "Insbot" and it's nothing more than a tiny robot the size of a matchbox that's just oozing pheremones, causing the real roaches to accept it as one of their own. Complex mathematical models direct the robot's movement and behavior, as seen in this video.

Did this bold experiment succeed on any level? It seems the Insbot is able to convince the other roaches to walk towards the light, whereas roaches are normally deathly afraid of bright light. The scientists hope to develop more robots for other animals that employ a similar social intelligence. Maybe they can develop robotic roaches that teaches real roaches to get out of my basement. – Nicholas Deleon

Robo-roach could betray real cockroaches [NewScientistTech via The Red Ferret Journal]

The Tick Twister

Charlie White — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 15:00:36 EST

Remove ticks quickly with Tick Twister. Otherwise known as O Tom Hooks, these disposable devices are sold in packs of two including one large and one small hook. They can perform a rather delicate feat: twisting a tick out of your skin without leaving any part of that varmint behind, while at the same time refraining from crushing the tick s body and releasing bad stuff into you such as Lyme disease.

Short of removing all ticks from the face of the earth (they will outlive us all, no doubt), for $3.95 you can at least remove them from your presence with all due haste by using this unique little tool.

Plastic tool safely twists ticks from skin of humans and other animals [BoingBoing]

Tick Twister priced at $3.95 [Amazon]