New Way To "Blast" Underground Pests

New Way To "Blast" Underground Pests MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Pest Animals 30-3-16 Safety was the number one concern when Bus Hudson and his partners started looking for a better way to control gophers, badgers and ground squirrels. Traps and poisons just weren't effective, and Hudson was concerned about the safety of "underground blasters" that explode gas-filled tunnels. Their solution was to come up with what they call the General Varmint Control Xtreme (GVC-XTR). "It's the only underground blaster with a wireless remote control," says Hudson. "We don't have to stand over the tunnels to blow them. We can be up to 100 ft. away when we set them off." The GVC-XTR also has a lower cost per charge than many competitive units, thanks to its use of liquid oxygen instead of compressed oxygen. The ratio of propane to liquid oxygen knocks the price of each shot down to 7 to 10ó for blowing a 30 to 40-ft. tunnel. "You can get a 500-lb. tank of liquid oxygen for about $200, and it will last for 2 to 3 weeks of steady use," says Hudson. "A tank of propane costs about $10 and lasts for 3 to 4 days. We use a small amount of propane and a lot of oxygen." The GVC-XTR is easy to operate, too. Hudson suggests going into the field early in the spring when fresh holes are first appearing. Using a spade or the GVC attack shovel, a hole is made in an existing tunnel mound. The patented warhead on the end of the feeder hose is inserted, and in a minute, 30 to 40 ft. of tunnel are filled with explosive gas. Then you step back and set it off. Hudson suggests a three-day attack. Hit all fresh digs the first day. Wait a couple of days and hit the site again. Wait a couple days more and repeat. "We did a field for one prospective customer and blew 100 holes the first day," recalls Hudson. "We found only 8 holes the second day and two on the third pass." Hudson notes that it is a constant battle to keep the varmints out of fields, but it definitely is worth it. One 6,000-acre hay producer reported being able to charge $25 to $40 more per ton due to increased quality since controlling gophers in the field with the GVC-XTR. The reduced wear and tear on equipment also adds up. "One breeding pair of gophers will produce 88 offspring in a single year," says Hudson. "People often ask if the GVC-XTR hurts a field when a tunnel is blown. I tell them gophers left alone will cause much more damage." The GVC isn't cheap at $3,500 with a 50-ft. hose reel. However, sales have been good. Hudson says large operators buy one for themselves, while smaller operators often buy one to share. The basic unit can be upgraded with 150-ft. hose reels and other equipment. "We have sold to trappers, young people and others who see the opportunity to set up a business," says Hudson. Trailers small enough to be pulled by an ATV are available. The $1,095 Sergeant model can carry a propane tank and either an oxygen gas cylinder or a 500-lb. liquid oxygen tank, multiple hose reel towers as well as other components. The $1,695 Major is large enough to also cross load and carry the ATV between fields or farms. Both units are equipped with a full set of safety equipment. He points out that in heavy infestations, it is easily possible to kill 20 varmints per hour or 160 in an 8-hour day. At a fee of even $1/varmint, it would only take 22 days to pay for the GVC-XTR. Higher fees, of course, can speed the payback. He also points out that the GVC-XTR is a more humane and environmentally preferred way to control varmints. "Death is instant, and you don't have to worry about cats and dogs eating poisoned animals," he says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Farm and Ranch Manufacturing, LLC, 13103 Highway 55 North, Boise, Idaho 83714 (ph 208 573-6820 (Bus Hudson); 208 573-1888 (Drex Shira); 208 573-8439 (Sam Johnson); generalvarmintcontrol@msn.com; www.generalvarmintcontrol.com).

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