OK, I've got one, in theory at least.
I have a ground squirrel problem.....bad. Bait poison in quantity, that works, requires a restricted use permit (training, paperwork and $$). Been looking for a better solution than the old hose on the tailpipe routine, some of the terrain can be steep and rocky and I'm not fond of wheel tracks zig-zagging everywhere.
Have been researching methods of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning for rodents. I had thought about using a leaf blower and piping the exhaust into the fan intake but dismissed the idea because I figured the CO output from the little motors couldn't be enough. A little more searching found a site that compared CO output (and other) of leaf blowers vs a modern V8. I was surprised the leaf blower put out more CO than a pickup.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/emissions-test-car-vs-truck-vs-leaf-blower.html
http://theroadpro.com/edmunds-leaf-blower-pollutes-more-than-ford-raptor-fiat-500/
Their best case scenario for the leaf blower:
The data below are expressed in grams CO per minute
Phase 1 - 2011 Ford Raptor 0.725
Phase 1 - 2012 Fiat 500 0.544
Idling - Ryobi 4-stroke leaf blower 1.822
Idling - Echo 2-stroke leaf blower 2.043
Also, if you made the air/fuel mix a little richer you could increase the CO output (not that I would ever advocate doing this, waha).
So, next spring I'll be giving this a try. Seems you would need to severely restrict the air flow to the fan to keep the CO concentration higher (and not blow the critters out of the hole). I've noticed that some blowers port the exhaust into the fan output which could simplify the experiment.
Any thoughts? Anybody ever try something like this?
I think this qualifies as an "Alternative Leaf Blower Use".
Obligatory disclaimer: I'd warn against piping CO into or under a building or under a concrete slab under or near a building. Also for the SPCA: no rodents were injured during the making of this message.
Scott