Spray can pole extender

Question

I have a hornets' nest that I want to spray with insecticide.

The hive is approximately 20-25ft from ground level.

The insecticide that I have is in a aerosol spray can with a large actuator.

While the product is marketed as having a range of 20ft, I have found this claim to be false. In reality it only has a range of 6ft.

I would prefer not to climb up to the area on a ladder, for fear of being in swarming range of the hornets.

Instead, I would like to build a pole-based contraption that would allow me trigger and spray the can from the end of a 10ft pole.

My height + arms length =  8ft
Pole                    = 10ft
Spray range             =  6ft

Sum                     = 24ft

How can I make such a contraption?

Edit: I live in Canada, where specialty products like this take a long time to be delivered, and are hard to find locally.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042T5PBO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6dHGBbBC4FQTC — Tyson, Aug 26 '18 at 02:32
@Tyson Good idea. [A bit pricey in Canada](https://www.amazon.ca/4most-Innovations-GSP0205-Sprayer-Extension/dp/B078WFJX9B/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535251913&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=pray+Can+Extension), and it would take a few days to get here, but it might be worth it. — User1974, Aug 26 '18 at 02:53
The one at Lowe’s isn’t for a pole I see, but google “spray can pole adapter”. There are many. — Tyson, Aug 26 '18 at 03:01
I have done it from a ladder. Do it at night and do NOT be directly under the nest (drips and still live but injured wasps will drop). That type of nest seems like those of mud-dauber wasps, wicked multiple stings be careful. Have a least 2 cans to soak thoroughly. — Jimmy Fix-it, Aug 26 '18 at 03:02
For any poor Canadians that are in range of a Lee Valley, [this](http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=68999&cat=2,51555&ap=1) might be an option. — User1974, Aug 26 '18 at 03:18

score 13 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 26 '18 at 03:06

13

That's from Best of Wordless Workshop by Ray Doty; the original was a monthly column in Popular Science. (Published sometime between 1971-1985)

The retail versions probably make more sense, but you can hum the theme from the A-Team while exterminating with this one. Besides, Wordless Workshop was a great feature.

answered Aug 26 '18 at 03:06

Matthew Gauthier

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I love it. Do you recommend [this book](https://www.amazon.ca/Wordless-Workshop-Easy-Make-Projects/dp/0312000618/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=)? – User1974 Aug 26 '18 at 03:16
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Looks like I had the title wrong, that cartoon is page 44 of the book you linked. The book is a great way to experience the column if you didn't get a change to read the magazine. Odds are good that if you love that one you'll like at least one of the other 119 in the book. (Wordless Workshop was always a single page comic solving some household dilemma.) – Matthew Gauthier Aug 26 '18 at 05:09
that's better than duct-taping to a stick and ON and hurrying... – dandavis Aug 27 '18 at 15:57

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 26 '18 at 02:53

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Why build one when someone already invented and built it for you? Check the ubiquitous on-line shopping site with the name that is also a river in S. America:

answered Aug 26 '18 at 02:53

Jimmy Fix-it

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As mentioned to @Tyson: It's a good idea. [A bit pricey in Canada](https://www.amazon.ca/4most-Innovations-GSP0205-Sprayer-Extension/dp/B078WFJX9B/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535251913&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=pray+Can+Extension), and it would take a few days to get here, but it might be worth it. – User1974 Aug 26 '18 at 02:57
I wonder if I could adapt my [pole pruner](https://www.amazon.ca/4most-Innovations-GSP0205-Sprayer-Extension/dp/B078WFJX9B/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535251913&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=pray+Can+Extension) for this purpose? – User1974 Aug 26 '18 at 03:00
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Yup, rig a wood lever from the pruning blade to push the button? I dunno but it might be a hoot to try. Who says "be a hoot", am I turning into my dad? – Jimmy Fix-it Aug 26 '18 at 03:05

Spray can pole extender

2 Answers2