Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-29
2001-07-24
Levy, Neil S. (Department: 1616)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
C424S405000, C424S406000, C424S407000, C424S409000, C424S417000, C424S418000, C424S419000, C424S420000, C424S442000, C424S084000, C424S641000, C514S457000, C514S460000, C514S494000, C514S681000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264969
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods and systems for controlling various types of moles. More particularly, this invention relates to methods for controlling moles with a bait composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Moles are subterranean animals that can cause considerable damage to lawns, golf courses, etc. by burrowing through the ground just beneath the surface. These animals are insectivores that subsist on earthworms, grubs, and insects which inhabit the ground. Moles create a system of shallow tunnels in the soil, normally about 2-3 inches below the surface, and the displaced soil creates a ridge in the ground surface.
Previous techniques for controlling moles have involved mechanical traps and poison baits. The mechanical traps may catch a mole occasionally, but they are labor intensive and not usually effective in totally eliminating moles. The use of poison baits (e.g., pellets) require that a person first dig open one of the tunnels, drop the bait into the tunnel, and then close the tunnel without covering the bait. The act of opening the tunnel, however, may cause the moles to avoid that particular tunnel in the future.
There has not heretofore been provided an effective and reliable method or system for controlling or exterminating moles in the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention an effective method is provided for controlling moles without the use of mechanical traps and without having to dig out a tunnel.
In a preferred embodiment the method of the invention comprises injecting an amount of a gel, paste, or grease composition into a mole tunnel, with minimal disturbance of the soil, wherein the composition comprises an attractant and an active ingredient. Because the composition is in gel, paste, or grease form, it will not be absorbed into the soil. Rather, it remains in a clump and it is easily ingested by moles.
The method of the invention is effective for controlling various types of moles, e.g. the eastern mole (
Scalopus aquaticus
), Townsend mole (
Scapanus townsendi
), hairytail mole (
Parascalops breweri
), California mole (
Scapanus latimanus
) and the starnose mole (
Condylura cristata
).
By injecting the gel, paste, or grease composition into the tunnel with a small diameter nozzle, tube, or needle, there is minimal disturbance of the soil, and the tunnel is neither opened nor collapsed or caved in. Therefore, there is no danger of burying the bait composition with soil.
Other features and advantages of the method and system of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2957804 (1960-10-01), Shuyler
patent: 4520015 (1985-05-01), Pesche
patent: 4748185 (1988-05-01), Entwistle et al.
patent: 4829706 (1989-05-01), Perry
patent: 4833818 (1989-05-01), Berta
patent: 4841668 (1989-06-01), McKenzie
patent: 5017620 (1991-05-01), Grassman et al.
Moles (Henderson) p. D53-61, 1983.*
Poche Proceedings, 13th Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Mole Census Techniques pp. 114-116, 1997.*
Nowak: Insectivor Walker's Mammal's of the World pp. 167, 168, 1991.
Edmundson Dean P.
Genesis Laboratories, Inc.
Levy Neil S.
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