288. PEST KILLERS AND INSECT REPELLENTS, Various Ads 1955-1980

Mosquitoes and rodents and roaches,  oh my!

Ever since the dawn of civilization, mankind has been plagued with pests of the most annoying biting-stinging-crawling-wiggling-disease carrying variety, infesting every nook and cranny of homes and offices. And men have found ways to deal with them.

The first known pesticide was elemental sulfur dusting used in ancient Sumer about 4,500 years ago in Mesopotamia. It was only in 1946 that the first modern bug repellant was invented by Samuel Gertler of the US Department of Agriculture,  receiving a patent  for using DEET  in the form of a cream, lotion, or powder.

The aerosol can had been invented in 1931 and was largely undeveloped until American Lyle Goodhue devised a practical version that could be used to propel insecticide. In 1945, Goodhue, joined Airosol, Inc.. With him as director of research Airosol  became a leading packager of aerosol spray consumer products after the war—including insect spray—which gave us a major advantage in our war against pests and bugs.

Here are some anti-insect and pest products that have protected us and our homes through the years:

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RODENTICIDE

RAT-EX WITH WARFARIN. A powerful rodenticide manufactured by Estraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, an exclusively distributed by La Estrella del Norte. 1955.

DORA RAT KILLER, One of the most popular rodent killer brand, that came in granules forms. Manufactured by Fumakilla Lab, a Japanese company. 1978.

MOSQUITO KILLER

LION BRAND MOSQUITO KILLER, an early katol-type coil with fumes that can kill mosquitos. 1957.

VAPE ELECTRIC MOSQUITO DESTROYER, a new,modern way to keep away mosuitos. Made by Fumakilla Lab. 1966.

OFF INSECT REPELLENT. your invisible mosquito net. Apply or spray this on your skin to ward off pesky mosquitos. Made by S./C.Johnson. 1975.

SHELLTOX BLUE. Kills all troublesome breed of insects, including mosquitos. From the Shell Chemical Co. (Phil.) Inc. 1979.

ROACH AND FLY KILLER

KAN-KILL--kills filthy germ carriers that can cause malaria, cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever and diarrhea. Made with Strobane, the world's deadliest insect killer. 1961.

NUVAN AEROSOL SPRAY. "Pamatay n, pleasant-smelling pa!", Does not contain DDT and fluorocatbon claimed as harmful to the ozone layer. 1978.

NUVAN, the insecticide thatt scores a 1-2 punch to knock out pests every time! 1978.

SHELLTOX ANT AND COCKROACH STOP. Kills crawling isects. 1979

ADVANCED FORMULA SHELLTOX INSECT KILLER. Kills on contact, ones pray lasts for days. 1980.

233. WHEN VAPE WAS A MOSQUITO KILLER, NOT AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE

FUMAKILLA VAPE, LAUNCH AD, 1966

Today, many young people in particular are into smoking electronic cigarettes or vaping. For some, it is a way to transition from traditional cigarettes to not smoking at all. But most use it to look cool and hip. How exactly does it work?

E-cigarettes heat nicotine extract flavorings to create a water vapor that one inhales. Nicotine is addictive, so whether you are vaping or smoking a traditional cigarette, the risk of harm is still there.

But do you know that as early as 1966, a product with the brand name VAPE, was introduced in the market? No, it was not an alternative smoke gadget,  but an “electronic mosquito destroyer!”

FUMAKILLA VAPE kills mosquitoes by emitting fragrant vapors. No mess…no smoke. All you need is a VAPE mat that you insert in a heating pad. When plugged, the VAPE mat is vaporized to exude invisible vapors that kill mosquitoes safely. The vapors are virtually harmless to animals and humans.

There are even 2 kinds of VAPE pads to choose from—the regular pad and a decorative version with a human bust that conceals the mat.  The gadget is manufactured by FUMAKILLA Limited, and was distributed by Tancho Corporation (of the stick pomade fame).

FUMAKILLA VAPE did not catch on, possibly because it was perceived as more expensive—it required electricity to run. Traditional katols (mosquito coils) however, were more practical as you can light them, and leave them—no electricity needed. Katols have also been used for decades, and are more available (you can buy them from sari-sari stores). Old habits die hard…and in the end, it was FUMAKILLA VAPE that died as the 60s decade came to a close.