FinReaper069

I have a tree stump that is left from when a tree was blown over to a 45 degree angle during a hurricane. When the tree leaned over, it pulled up a large amount of the root ball and the tree was cut off about a foot from the ground. It seems that some varmint have taken up residence in the holes under the exposed roots, giving them a nice den. Don’t know what kind of varmint they are, but they are not welcome. My thought was to pour a couple of gallons of diesel or kerosene under the root ball, wait a few minutes and then throw a match to it to finish them off. I don’t want to use gasoline do to it’s volatility and the huge fireball I’m assuming it will make. Since the vapors will only be able to travel up and out, gas would make a huge fireball as it only has the one way to escape and I don’t want to blow myself up or the house that’s less than 10’ away. Figured diesel or kerosene would be a slower burn and not apt to make the huge fireball, saving my eyebrows and house in the process...also easier to control and put out when the time comes. Plan is to wrap a diesel or kerosene soaked rag around a 6-8’ 2x2 to light it from a distance....thoughts? Bad idea that I should abandoned all together?

deckape

Careful !!! Poofffff

CalypsoNotch93

Just pour gas down the hole and then a trail of gas across the yard. Crack open a beer and throw a match on the gas trail

Milehog

You could sing at the poor creatures.

Lorne Greene

Definitely go with gas.

likwid

Whatever you do please make sure you give someone explicit instructions to video this whole thing and post it on here.

FishnDive

That never gets old

BIGnUGLY

Do not use gasoline.

Did you try a water hose?

bayrunner16

Be careful lighting a root ball on fire.

Maybe things are different where you are, but here, a root ball cou.d burn for months smoldering underground and then all of a sudden ignite and start a forest fire.

Well known to happen here. When the forest fores rahe through, hot spots from the root balls will smolder well into the rains. Lots only going completely dead after literally inches of rain on them.

You don't really need to light gas if you choose that. The fumes are what gets em. I'd stand by with a scatter gun when you huck the gas rag in as I assume if the critter is home, the fumes will force him to evacuate. You have the scatter gun to get him when he decides to vamoose from the fumes.

onokai

Hey watch this -usually is a mistake

ILoveMermaids

Whatever is living there doesn't really do anything to make it's presence known and the tree falling probably scared it to want to move Why not give it a chance to relocate on its own?

Brad1

Make sure you have someone there to hold your beer.

Kidding aside, I personally avoid messing with fire. You never what could go wrong. And being underground, you might have a hard time putting it out.

mwgoldman

the diesel alone in a den will usually make the offender vacate and find a new place to live. No need to blow it up.

bluffman2

youtube this please

PacNW170

Tree stump only about 10' from your house you say. Personally I'd just have that entire stump completely removed.
Either hire it out or use a 2-1/2 pound axe to chop the roots then pull it out with a come-a-long, or a truck with a stout cable.
My old neighbor used to use kerosene & fan for his slash pile, and although it burns slowly I wouldn't risk it that close to a house.
Good luck.

peter bear

Get your wife to stand next to the hole and start talking.

king_me

Is that environmentally safe?

flcatcher1

When there is no breeze stirring hose attached to an internal combustion engine exhaust and shoved down to the base of the roots (may not be legal in all states)? If you can drop enough dry ice pellets deep into the root system, that might work as well. Again no wind would be essential, but CO2 is heavier than air so if you get enough of it down there it will displace the oxygen.

Walleye Guy

I can't remember the story or incident, but long ago someone used ammonia to get rid of a critter down a hole. Might want to pour a few gallons down there to see if the fumes drive them out. Lastly, get rid of that stump and fix your yard ASAP.

Mak232

Make sure you video this if you do, and say “hey guys, watch this” when you do....