Humidity-loving bugs are just as much a part of a Japanese summer as fireworks festivals and barley tea. Dealing with the creepy crawly intruders in your home isn’t always easy, though, especially if you’ve got an aversion to touching them. Sure, you can use bug spray instead of doing the dirty work of squashing them yourself, but you’ll still have to use your hands to pick up the carcass and dispose of it after the poison takes effect.
Luckily, though, your options aren’t entirely limited to sharing your living space with bugs or touching them, in the form of this bug-sucking vacuum gun.
You can thank online retailer Thanko for this handy gadget, called the Bug Vacuum Hunter. Despite being shaped like a flintlock pistol, the product isn’t for firing tiny musket balls at pirate captains coveting your cargo of molasses or ruffians who’ve dared to insult your new knickerbockers, but rather for sucking up bugs into the hollow cylinder that makes up the majority of its body.
Once you press the button on the handle, the Bug Vacuum Hunter, powered by a nine-volt battery, produces enough suction to pull in bugs up to 30 millimeters (1.2 inches) away.
▼ You can replace the nozzle with a solid cap, as this woman has here, to prevent your prey from escaping.
Once captured, it’s up to you whether you want to take the bug out and squash it in a place where the mess will be less of an issue than your carpet or wall, or to set it free to live in the great outdoors. If you’re the type who really hates bugs, we suppose you could also opt to leave the creature in there and set the Bug Vacuum Hunter by the windowsill, letting the heat of the sun slowly cook your captive, but that seems excessively cruel (and gross).
▼ The Bug Vacuum Hunter in action
Since bugs sometimes like to hide in the corners of a closet or cabinet, the item also comes equipped with an LED light to help you track your target in the dark.
If this sounds like just the sort of thing you need in your home’s arsenal, you can order the Bug Vacuum Hunter from Thanko here for 1,280 yen (US$10.40). We’re sure it’s mentioned somewhere in the owner’s manual, but just in case it’s not, don’t forget to strike cool poses before and after capturing the bug.
Source: Thanko
Images: Thanko (edited by RocketNews24)
Think mosquitoes suck? Japan’s Shock Extermination Stick lets you suck some mosquitoes instead
New heated clothes hanger will dry your clothes in any type of weather
“3 bottles available” – Life’s Good when you can mail your fridge to ask if there’s any beer left
Japan’s cat robot waiters meow when you pat them, and we find out why【Video】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Solar Chef: We tried cooking an egg using the power of the sun and a magnifying glass
Tokyo train stations get new Olympic melodies and signage for the Games
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply