Powder Puffers

Powder Puffers

Powder dispensers came in three basic types. First were the mechanical style dispensors, usually made out of some metal (tin can or sorts), but I have seen one made of wood. These usually had a leather bellows style top with a large spring inside. When you pressed down on the top, air (mixed with the insecticide powder) would be propelled out the long spout. The second were either round or oval cardboard containers (I have seen a couple that were triangular in shape). There was usually a small opening at one end (sometimes this opening was plugged with a small nail). Again, the internal contents (insecticide powder) is ejected when someone squeezes the container. The third style of powder puffer was in the form of a bellows, similar to bellows used in a fireplace, but much smaller.

These style guns were used in a number of ways. Obviously, they could be used to deliver the powder insecticide along cracks and crevices to help control various household insect pests. I have been told that they were also used to shoot powder into school children's hair to help control head lice. At least one of the dispensers shown below was used to dust birds to control bird lice. Also illustrated on these pages is a Victorian Trade Card showing a person using one of these powder guns to control bedbugs.

Mechanical Powder Puffers: