Abstract: A torch disperses an explosive mixture of pressurized oxygen and petroleum gas into the burrow of a rodent for subsequent ignition to destroy rodents in the burrow. The torch provides a configurationally sustaining enclosed dispersement system with an elongate body formed sequentially by a mixer, a gas conduit having a valve to regulate gas passage therethrough and an output nozzle insertable into an entry orifice of a rodent burrow. An ignition system supported on the dispersement system provides an electrically powered spark plug carried in the output nozzle to ignite gases therein. The oxygen and petroleum gases are mixed in determinable proportions and pass through and from the distribution system by reason of gas pressure. The gas channel through the torch is not open to the ambient atmosphere except at the orifice of the output nozzle and a flash guard valve carried inwardly adjacent the output nozzle prevents an explosion in the output nozzle from passing inwardly into the gas conduit of the torch.