volts sparked a crackle of interest in Bermuda yesterday.

But Greg Jefferys' electronic zapper failed to wipe out smouldering scepticism over its efficiency.

Invention-weary local pest control firms yesterday struck a "wait and see'' stance.

"Every two or three years someone comes out with an invention like this,'' said Mr. Edward Knight, of Sun Island Pest Control.

"I can't say if it is good or bad, without reading all the technical data.

But it sounds intriguing.'' He added the invention appeared to use the same principle as a termite "zapper'' now on the market.

Brisbane-based farmer Mr. Jefferys has patented his machine, which took eight years to develop.

"Cockroaches are incredible gluttons and that's their downfall -- they are attracted to the special food in the machine and stay in one spot until it is eaten,'' he said yesterday.

"Their feelers touch the top plate, their legs are on the bottom plate and -- whammo -- fried cockroaches.'' Demand for the machine -- shaped like a flying saucer with a flat bottom -- has already outstripped supply.

Orders have flooded in from Japan, America, South Africa, Britain, Greece, and Germany.

"Everyone hates cockroaches and they seem to be increasing in numbers across the world. They really are the ultimate creepy-crawly,'' said 38-year-old Mr.

Jefferys, winner of the Australian Inventor of the Year award.

University scientists in Australia and Britain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have given the environmentally-safe invention the all-clear.

Yesterday Mr. Walter Saul, from Bermuda Pest Control, said he was not surprised by the widespread interest.

"No matter what gets invented there is always a market,'' he said.

He added, however, the success of the machine would depend largely on whether cockroaches were attracted to the food placed in it.

Mr. Gary Soares, manager of Atlantic Termite Pest Control, said: "It will probably help, but I can't see it eradicating cockroaches completely.'' THE TERMINATOR -- Greg Jefferys with his electronic cockroach killing machine which got a mixed response from Bermudian pest control firms.