The likelihood of auto-ignition occurring while hydrolyzing particulate aluminum phosphide with H.sub.2 O to produce phosphine is reduced by conducting the hydrolysis of the aluminum phosphide in the presence of both a source of ammonia or ammonium ions and zinc or zinc compound, the latter reducing the temperature rise associated with the hydrolysis.

A method of exterminating gophers uses a pest exterminating apparatus which comprises a tank for storing anhydrous ammonia and a supply line connected to the tank for dispensing the anhydrous ammonia from the tank. The supply line can be connected to a gas valve in a gas dispensing position or a liquid valve in a liquid dispensing position. An elongate wand having a flexible tube mounted on a free end is connected to a dispensing end of the supply line for insertion of the flexible tube into a gopher's burrow. A person holding the supply line is spaced from the ammonia being dispensed due to the elongate wand. In use, the person positions the tank adjacent a gopher's burrow and inserts the flexible tube into the burrow. A lever on the dispensing end of the supply line allows a valve to be opened for dispensing a portion of the ammonia into the burrow. The tank may then be relocated adjacent another burrow.

A crystalline alumino-silicate having a powder X-ray diffraction diagram, a specific area, and a porous volume to nitrogen corresponding to offretite, and containing at least one metal selected from the groups I, II, VI, VII, VII, rare earth group, and/or at least an ammonium or quaternary ammonium group, presenting an aspect of the crystals as observed by electron microscopy in the form of hexagonal prisms with well defined edges of a length of 0.5 to 2.5 micrometers and a width of 0.1 to 1 micrometer.