I just discovered a nifty way to collect Halloween beetles – the BugZooka. This handheld, mechanical bug catcher also comes in handy for catching wasps and spiders. It is a long tube with a pump – no batteries or cords. Here’s how it works. You squish the bellows at the end to create a vacuum. Then put the nozzle next to the target creature, and push a button. The bugs get sucked into a little containment area on the end of the tube. They cannot escape, because there are flapper things on the end.
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The police are trying to catch something much more dangerous than insects –armed robbers. On October 2, 2009, two men tried and failed to rob the New Alliance Bank in Eastford center. They were described by witnesses as two whites males – both in their 30’s. One was about 5’8” tall, 180 lbs., wearing dark sweatshirt, dark jeans, black work boots, and white latex gloves; the other was 6 feet tall, 200 lbs., wearing a black ski mask, dark sweatshirt, blue jeans, and a baseball hat with a UCONN logo. They fled south on Route 198 in a vehicle described as a white, older mid-sized station wagon, possibly a Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable type. |
Afterwards, you take off the end piece and let your captives loose outside if you’re feeling charitable, or dispose of them in the toilet. You can even convince kids to go on bug patrol with the BugZooka because it’s kind of fun to use. They can also employ it outdoors to collect, study and release bugs.
Features about the Bugzooka that I like include: 1) you don’t have to touch the bug (a good concept for stinky or stinging insects) 2) for some reasons flies don't take off when the Bugzooka gets close to them, 3) it doesn’t kill them, and 4) no chemicals are involved. The only problem is that I’m a little too short to reach critters in very high places. It is also a hard to get suction on bugs in a three way corner of the ceiling, which is where Halloween beetles tend to congregate.
If you’re willing to spring $29.00 for this tool, you can buy it online at http://tinyurl.com/ya4q9zw .
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In a shining example of shoddy journalism, I mixed up two products – Concrobium and Spray and Forget - in my series on mold control. Concrobium prevents future mold growth. Spray and Forget is used to treat roof shingles for moss and other things that grow up there. (However, I doubt it would work on the trees I’ve seen sprouting out of some people’s gutters.)
According to Jay Noe from Eastford Building Supply, you apply Spray and Forget with a garden pump sprayer (not a hose end sprayer) when the roof surface is dry. Rain (which we seem to have no shortage of lately) eventually washes away the unwanted stuff, including black streaks. It can take 3-9 months for the roof to get completely clean. The residual effect lasts 1-2 years. Like Concrobium, it is non-toxic, and does not contain bleach or harsh chemicals. It can also be used on walkways and composite decking. Jay says it doesn’t work as well on siding because that area typically does not get enough direct rain on it to complete stage two.
You can get both products at our local Eastford Building Supply, in the center of Eastford. They are located directly across the street from the New Alliance Bank in Eastford.
The bank had an armed robbery attempt on October 2, 2009. The armed suspects were videotaped and the police are asking the public for help - see http://tinyurl.com/ykk8smy for details. If you have any information about the identity of these thugs, contact the CT State Police, Troop D in Danielson at 860.779.4900 and ask for Detective John Szamocki.
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