Bug-a-Salt (2013) • Hacker News Board

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#11

Post by huffmsa » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:13 PM UTC

a_imho wrote: post #3

I have a similar item in my backlog, a drone mounted salt gun to terminate slugs in the garden. Engaging them in first person or just sitting back and let the skynet do its thing. Will probably never have the time to work on it, but if something like this is available to buy I would be interested.

Flying or on treads?

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#12

Post by CodeCube » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:14 PM UTC

avetisk wrote: post #5

a_imho wrote: post #3

I have a similar item in my backlog, a drone mounted salt gun to terminate slugs in the garden. Engaging them in first person or just sitting back and let the skynet do its thing. Will probably never have the time to work on it, but if something like this is available to buy I would be interested.

I think that may be a really good project. I’m pretty sure if you could make it work properly, a lot of organic farmers would invest into such a solution.

Isn't spraying salt over your organic farm counter-productive?

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#13

Post by mrfusion » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:16 PM UTC

Would this work for mosquitos in the house? I can’t figure out a good way to kill them.

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#14

Post by draw_down » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:17 PM UTC

Would be interesting to try with diatomaceous earth.

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#15

Post by jmpman » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:20 PM UTC

mrfusion wrote: post #13

Would this work for mosquitos in the house? I can’t figure out a good way to kill them.

I killed a dozen last night with mine. Works like a champ. The mosquitoes in my house tend to land on the ceiling, where they’re perfect targets.

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#16

Post by towndrunk » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:21 PM UTC

I have one of these and it works fantastically. Highly recommended.

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#17

Post by FroshKiller » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:21 PM UTC

et2o wrote: post #7

What’s the volume of salt? Not sure if I’d rather have a fly buzzing around or salt all over my house

I have and use one. You don't even notice the salt. Sweep or vacuum your floors like normal.

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#18

Post by jmpman » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:23 PM UTC

et2o wrote: post #7

What’s the volume of salt? Not sure if I’d rather have a fly buzzing around or salt all over my house

Tiny. Think the amount of salt which comes out in one shake of a salt shaker.

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#19

Post by evilduck » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:23 PM UTC

et2o wrote: post #7

What’s the volume of salt? Not sure if I’d rather have a fly buzzing around or salt all over my house

A tablespoon in the hopper will last for a couple dozen shots. It's a very small amount per shot. Its a functional novelty though and not meant to be your primary means of pest control. For a one or two flies a week you're probably not going to notice the salt and its actually pretty nice for killing flies in hard to reach places like high ceilings or corners, or "zoomers" who barely sit still long enough to be swatted.

Re: Bug-a-Salt (2013)

#20

Post by dusted » Wed, Mar 04, 2020, 2:24 PM UTC

towndrunk wrote: post #16

I have one of these and it works fantastically. Highly recommended.

Does it really kill them though? I'm a fan of my electric swatter (because I can catch them in-flight with it) but I have to keep it buzzing for a bit to make sure they're really dead, and then it smells slightly burnt.