Rodenator

The Rodenator is a hand-held device, designed and manufactured by Meyer Industries, of Midvale, Idaho, that injects a mixture of oxygen and propane into the dens of burrowing rodents, and kills them with an explosion. In at least one instance, use of the device has been blamed for causing grass fires.Winnipeg Sun: Man Sparks Massive Grass Fire With Rodent-Killing Device (March 24, 2008)

In April, 2009, it was reported that Spokane, Washington's Finch Arboretum would use the Rodenator to combat an influx of squirrels. The local humane society planned to investigate whether use of the Rodenator could in fact be considered "humane."KOMO News (WA): Spokane parks to detonate squirrels (April 13, 2009)

Fast Facts:

Motto: "The Boss of the Burrow"
Sales: 800-750-4553
Technical support: 208-355-7000
Uses a 97%/3% Oxygen/Propane mixture
Poison gas is the traditional method of killing burrowing rodents

Background

The Rodenator, introduced circa 2003, is intended for use against gophers, squirrels, prairie dogs, and moles, and follows from a similar design by the now-defunct company, Rodex Industries (later revived as Rodex Sales & Service). While the history of these commercial rodent-exploding devices is complex, their usefulness in reclaiming agricultural land is fairly elementary—the concussive force of the explosion collapses the rodents' tunnel system.

Rodenator in Action

On March 24, 2008, it was reported that charges were filed against two men in Alberta, Canada who started a massive grass fire while using a Rodenator to kill gophers. Meyer Industries has won numerous awards for its Rodenator products.