Dealing with pocket gophers quite a bit around my orchards, ive decided to make some smoke bombs to try to eliminate them when I find new mounds. Ive used poison bait a bit in the past and it seems moderately effective, but who doesnt like experimenting? These should work for regular gophers and moles also FYI.
WARNING THIS POST CONTAINS AI GENERATED TEXT
To make a smoke-bomb for pest elimination, you can follow these steps:
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Gather the materials: You’ll need potassium nitrate (also known as saltpeter), sugar, a toilet paper or paper towel roll, wooden matchsticks or candle wicks for the fuse, and a small paper or plastic cup.
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Prepare the mixture: In a small bowl, mix 3 parts potassium nitrate with 2 parts sugar. You can adjust the proportions slightly, but be careful not to create a mixture that is too rich in potassium nitrate, as this could make the smoke bomb burn too quickly.
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Insert the fuse: Make a small hole in one end of the toilet paper or paper towel roll and insert the wooden matchstick or candle wick into the hole. Make sure the fuse sticks out a little from the end of the roll.
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Fill the tube: Pour the potassium nitrate and sugar mixture into the roll, making sure to leave enough space for the fuse to stick out.
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Seal the ends: Pinch one end of the roll almost closed around the fuse, leaving a small opening for the fuse to burn down to the mixture. Pinch the other end into a funnel shape, allowing the smoke to escape.
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Use the smoke bomb: Place the smoke bomb in the pest’s burrow, making sure to cover any openings to prevent the smoke from escaping. Light the fuse and allow the smoke bomb to do its work. Be sure to follow all safety precautions and use the smoke bomb only in areas where it is legal to do so.
Remember to exercise caution when using smoke bombs for pest elimination, as they can be dangerous if not handled properly. Always follow safety guidelines and use the smoke bombs in accordance with local laws and regulations.
To effectively exterminate moles using smoke bombs, a typical approach involves using 1.75 oz. smoke bombs. These are commonly sold in packages containing multiple smoke bombs, such as a pack of 4, totaling 7 oz. of smoke-bomb material. The exact quantity needed may vary based on the severity of the mole infestation and the size of the area being treated. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines when using smoke bombs for mole extermination.
In a potassium nitrate and sugar smoke bomb for pest elimination, the addition of sulfur can indeed enhance the effectiveness of the smoke bomb. Sulfur is known for its insecticidal properties and can act as an additional deterrent for pests. However, it’s important to note that the exact amount of sulfur to be added can vary based on the specific formulation and the desired outcome.
For a standard smoke bomb mixture that consists of 60 grams of potassium nitrate and 40 grams of sugar, you can consider adding about 10-15 grams of sulfur to the mix. This addition should increase the effectiveness of the smoke bomb against pests. However, please remember to take necessary safety precautions while handling sulfur, as it can be hazardous if not dealt with properly. Always wear protective gear and work in a well-ventilated area.
To slow the burn rate of a smoke bomb made for pest elimination containing sugar and potassium nitrate, you can adjust the ingredients and their ratios. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
- Increase the Potassium Nitrate (KNO3): Increasing the amount of potassium nitrate in the mixture will slow down the burn rate. This is because potassium nitrate acts as an oxidizer, and a higher amount of it will require more heat to ignite, thus slowing the burn rate.
- Decrease the Sugar: Reducing the amount of sugar in the mixture will also slow down the burn rate. Sugar acts as a fuel, and less sugar means less fuel for the reaction, which results in a slower burn.
- Add Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): Adding baking soda to the mixture can help moderate the combustion reaction, making the smoke bomb burn a bit cooler and slower.
- Use a Slower Burning Fuel: You can consider using a different fuel that burns more slowly than sugar, such as powdered charcoal.
- Adjust the Mixture Consistency: Make sure the mixture is not too wet or too dry. If it’s too wet, it will take longer to burn. If it’s too dry, it will burn too quickly. The mixture should be damp enough to hold together, but not so wet that it’s dripping.
- Use a Longer Wick: If you’re using a wick to ignite the smoke bomb, consider using a longer one. This will give the reaction more time to start before the entire mixture is ignited.
Remember, adjusting the ingredients and their ratios can affect the performance of the smoke bomb, so you may need to experiment a bit to find the right balance for your needs. Always exercise caution when working with these materials, as they can be flammable and dangerous if not handled properly.
Grok
@grok
To make a smoke bomb produce less fire and more smoke, you should focus on adjusting the ratio of potassium nitrate to sugar in your mixture. A good starting point is a 3:2 potassium nitrate to sugar ratio (e.g., 1.5 cups of potassium nitrate and 1 cup of sugar). As you approach the 5:3 KNO3:sugar ratio, you get a smoke bomb that burns more quickly, which might result in more fire and less smoke. If you use equal amounts of potassium nitrate and sugar, the smoke bomb becomes harder to light and burns slowly, which could lead to less fire and more smoke. However, using too much fuel (sugar) can also result in more smoke but might make it difficult to ignite the smoke bomb.
Experimenting with the ratios and observing the results can help you find the balance that produces the desired amount of smoke with minimal fire. Keep in mind that safety precautions, such as using protective gear and conducting experiments in a well-ventilated area, are essential when working with these materials.
Certainly! To create a smoke bomb for pest control, you’ll need potassium nitrate (KNO₃), sugar, and a few simple steps. The best ratio for maximum smoke production is approximately 3 parts potassium nitrate to 2 parts sugar. Here’s how you can make it:
- Measure 60 grams of potassium nitrate and 40 grams of sugar (or use tablespoons if you don’t have a scale).
- Heat a non-stick pan on low heat and add the potassium nitrate and sugar.
- Stir continuously to prevent burning. After about 10 minutes, the mixture will flow like water due to caramelization.
- When it looks like peanut butter, remove it from the heat and pour onto foil or a cardboard tube.
- Create a tube by using a toilet paper roll and tape the bottom.
- Fill the tube with the mixture and insert a fuse (or light it directly if you don’t have a fuse).
- Cover the tube with electrical or duct tape, leaving a hole for the fuse.
- Optionally, drill small holes near the bottom to allow pressure to escape.
- Take it outside and enjoy the smoke! Remember not to inhale too much of it123.
And yes, you can use the pan again for normal cooking after dissolving the mixture in hot water4. Stay safe! 
END OF AI GENERATED TEXT
here is the ingredients of manufactured smoke bombs that you can buy made for this purpose
Cheap Sulfur source =
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EE8X1C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Oxidizer Potassium Nitrate =
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094JZSN51?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I did some not very scientific experiments and settled on this ratio of ingredients:
1 sugar / 4 sulfur / 6 nitrate
I did try melting the ingredients together as suggested in some of the AI generated instructions, but thats messy and stinky and unnecessary. Instead I put them into a cardboard tube and pack them using a round wooden dowel and a hammer, inserting a short piece of canon fuse at the end to ignite.
I will take some pictures of the finished product but I had to order larger tubes online because the ones I had didnt hold enough material to generate enough smoke for my liking. I will put about 2.5oz of material in each tube. I got the tubes from ebay.
To use these, light fuse and insert as far into the hole as you can and pack dirt around the opening so smoke cannot escape. I dont bother retrieving the tube afterwards, just leave the hole plugged and walk away.
I did some rough calculations and it should cost about $1 / smoke bomb, not factoring in labor…