Teenage Gopher Blaster

2005 - Volume #29, Issue #6, Page #08

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Cameron Tomkins-Bergh used to trap gophers the normal way until he saw a Rodenator Pro at work. The 17-year-old knew immediately that he could control more gophers quicker and with less work, which translated into a business opportunity for him.
    "I had raised pigs and direct-marketed them, but when my mom brought home a pamphlet on the Rodenator, I decided to go in a new direction," says Tomkins-Bergh.
    The Rodenator injects a combination of propane and oxygen into a gopher, woodchuck or badger tunnel system. The mixture is then set off by a sparker to create a controlled explosion. The shockwave kills the problem animals and collapses their burrows.
    Wanting to start his business right, he talked to local county agents about the need. He also brainstormed with the small business director at a local college and Bob Bruno, factory representative for the Rodenator.
    "Bob advised me that word of mouth was best," says Tomkins-Bergh. "I also put up posters at local elevators."
    He also sent letters and made calls to local farms, nurseries and orchards and targeted homes with big lawns and gardens, as well as horse riding stables where gopher holes can be dangerous for horse and rider.
    Getting his business started required an investment of about $7,000 including an ATV, trailer and the $1,890 Rodenator.
    One of his first customers was an organic dairy. Some neighboring farmers also signed on. By late summer and early fall, he was completely booked up. He notes that gopher activity tends to peak in spring and early summer and then again in the fall.
    Tomkins-Bergh charges by the hour at $60 for the first hour and $47 for each additional hour. Each job is different, he says, as the number of mounds in an area and soil conditions affect how quickly he can get the job done. If the soil is too dry, the gas leaks out, and it takes longer.
    "On a couple of farms, the initial job took about 10 hours," recalls Tomkins-Bergh. "Now they have me come back every weekend and get any that have wandered in from neighboring fields."
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Cameron Tomkins-Bergh, N8806 600, River Falls, Wis. 54022 (ph 715 220-3517; cameron@gopherbuster.com; www.gopherbuster.com).

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Teenage Gopher Blaster MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Pest Animals Cameron Tomkins-Bergh used to trap gophers the normal way until he saw a Rodenator Pro at work The 17-year-old knew immediately that he could control more gophers quicker and with less work which translated into a business opportunity for him I had raised pigs and direct-marketed them but when my mom brought home a pamphlet on the Rodenator I decided to go in a new direction says Tomkins-Bergh The Rodenator injects a combination of propane and oxygen into a gopher woodchuck or badger tunnel system The mixture is then set off by a sparker to create a controlled explosion The shockwave kills the problem animals and collapses their burrows Wanting to start his business right he talked to local county agents about the need He also brainstormed with the small business director at a local college and Bob Bruno factory representative for the Rodenator Bob advised me that word of mouth was best says Tomkins-Bergh I also put up posters at local elevators He also sent letters and made calls to local farms nurseries and orchards and targeted homes with big lawns and gardens as well as horse riding stables where gopher holes can be dangerous for horse and rider Getting his business started required an investment of about $7 000 including an ATV trailer and the $1 890 Rodenator One of his first customers was an organic dairy Some neighboring farmers also signed on By late summer and early fall he was completely booked up He notes that gopher activity tends to peak in spring and early summer and then again in the fall Tomkins-Bergh charges by the hour at $60 for the first hour and $47 for each additional hour Each job is different he says as the number of mounds in an area and soil conditions affect how quickly he can get the job done If the soil is too dry the gas leaks out and it takes longer On a couple of farms the initial job took about 10 hours recalls Tomkins-Bergh Now they have me come back every weekend and get any that have wandered in from neighboring fields Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Cameron Tomkins-Bergh N8806 600 River Falls Wis 54022 ph 715 220-3517; cameron@gopherbuster com; www gopherbuster com

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