Bug B Gone

The Bug B Gone is a fun project that can provide kids a learning opportunity for simple electrical and mechanical concepts. It is essentially a powered bug swatter that uses a mouse trap as its primary source of swatting speed and energy. Simply place bait (if needed) on the Bug B Gone sensor plate and wait for a critter to come running. Once the pest is in place, hit the Bug B Gone plunger to activate the motor, which pulls the armature freeing the swatter to smash the target ala Gallagher (you know, the comedian that likes to squash watermelons with a large hammer?).

For this project, I created a new version of the H5 Labs’ detonator switch top -http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1409972. The handle, base, and battery clip are all the same; only the switch top is new. Of course, you do not necessarily need to use the detonator switch, if you have some other momentary switch you would like to use. If you build an automated Cyber Bug B Gone version, then you most likely won’t want to use a manual switch at all, so this would not be needed.

Provisions are provided in the parts to create a Cyber Bug B Gone version that operates autonomously. An infra-red LED and diode can be installed in the sensor plate to create a barrier beam that, when broken, can activate the motor to automatically swat the pest.

Complete information on parts and construction are included in the attached "Bug B Gone Instructions_V1.pdf" file.