Electronic Bug Killers Ride On Center Pivot

Electronic Bug Killers Ride On Center Pivot CROPS Insect Control 6-3-36 A Nebraska farmer, concerned with the heavy use of insect chemicals, is experimenting with high voltage electric bug killers mounted on his center pivot irrigation rig to kill corn borer moths. Ron Baker, of Stromsburg, mounted seven "Mega Shock" bug killers along the 1,350-ft. length of his irrigation boom. The units are giant versions of residential units used on porches or patios to "zap" flies, moths and other flying insects and they do their job as the irrigation rig moves through the field. Baker first tried the idea last summer in an attempt to kill corn borer moths. He explains that the two operations are compatible because the moths don't like water. As they fly up to avoid it, they are attracted to the lights and are shocked to death. Each Mega Shock unit covers an estimated 3 1/2 acres and in moving around the field, all moths in a 160 acre circle are exposed. "It's still experimental but I'm convinced that it works," says Baker. "One of the problems with it last year was that the dead insects piled up and shorted the units out. We plan to remedy that by using higher voltage so the insects burn up." The Mega Shock units don't get wet during irrigation because Baker uses a low pressure system with nozzles that direct water downward rather than up in the air. His pivots are hydraulically operated, so the irrigation boom had to be wired with electricity. Last summer, when it wasn't necessary to irrigate, Baker sometimes kept his pivot running "dry" at night so it would cover the field and kill whatever insects were flying. How much did this electrical insect control system cost? Baker bought the seven Mega Shocks for about $700 each, and it cost $1,400 to wire the center pivot. Says Steve Buffaloe, a spokesman for Fi-Shocks, manufacturer of the bug killers: "Saving the cost of spraying with chemicals for one year will pay for the Mega Shock control system. We're working on improvements in the design and are confident the system will become a major insect control tool in the future. We're also testing the big units for insect control in barns and feedlots." For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Fi-Shock, Inc., 5360 National Drive, P.O. Box 9179, Knoxville, Tenn. 37920 (ph 615 524-7380).

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