Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-26
2003-07-01
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
C424S084000, C424S405000, C424S409000, C424S413000, C424S484000, C424SDIG001, C514S057000, C514S078000, C514S167000, C514S558000, C514S561000, C514S669000, C514S724000, C514S725000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06585991
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a nutritionally based baiting composition and methods for its use in the monitoring and control of termites.
Damage in the United States attributable to subterranean termites is now estimated to be in excess of one billion dollars a year. All wooden or wood-containing structures are potentially affected, including homes, outbuildings, fences, utility poles, railway sleepers, boats, bridges, retaining walls and even living trees. Since their introduction to the United States within the last half-century, Formosan subterranean termites,
Coptotermes formosanus
, have become one of the most destructive pests in the contiguous United States. Reasons for this include their massive colonies which can contain tens of millions of individuals, their ability to attack several species of living trees, and their high level of reproduction.
The most successful existing methods for control of subterranean termites are preventive rather than remedial. These include barrier treatments to structures and the preemptive treatment of wood materials with chemicals to prevent termite attack. These however have drawbacks. Physical barriers are not compatible for retrofitting on many existing constructions and may not be completely effective, and chemical treatments are only partially effective and last only about five years.
Low toxicity baits utilizing growth regulators have shown success in reducing damage caused by subterranean termites, with hexaflumuron having been particularly effective in suppressing large colonies of
C. formosanus
. Utilized matrices for the baits have consisted of cardboard, filter paper, pine wood or pure cellulose. These matrices have, however, all suffered from generating less than optimal responses from the termites, which have in varying degree bypassed them in favor of other sources of cellulose such as houses and trees.
While various methodologies and compositions exist for the monitoring and control of termites, there remains a need for the creation of improved tools in this area.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a bait matrix composition effective as a toxicant delivery system for termites.
Another object is to provide a composition which may be used for the monitoring of termites.
Yet another object is to provide compositions and methods for the effective control of termite populations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have discovered that termites may be more effectively monitored and/or controlled through use of a nutritionally-based matrix which works as an attractant and carrier for chemicals which are toxic to termites. A termite matrix containing nutritionally requisite components enhances its usefulness as a bait and an attractant for termites. The termite matrix of this invention is preferred by termites over naturally-occurring foods such as deadwood and trees, wood and cellulose-based products used in human constructions, and other known termite foods such as cardboard. The matrix comprises cellulose as a primary component, since cellulose serves as the basis of the termite's normal diet. In addition it contains termite-preferred nutrients, i.e., nutrients required for termite growth and development. These nutrients are selected and present in the termite matrix of this invention in such amounts that the termite matrix is preferred by termites over alternate available food sources such as wood and other termite foods known to the art. The invention is premised on applicants' discovery that termites have the ability to finely discriminate between food sources on the basis of their nutritional value.
In addition to cellulose and water, the termite bait matrix of this invention preferably comprises lipids, vitamins and amino acids required by termites, termite growth factors, as well as feed-conditioning agents which simulate smells and tastes of fermenting food.
Termites for which the termite matrix of this invention is useful include all termite species belonging to the families Rhynotermitidae and Kalotermitidae, preferably
Coptoternes formosanus
and
Reticulitermes flavipes.
The termite matrix of this invention, also referred to herein as the “bait matrix” or “termite food,” may be used to attract termites to the site in which it is placed for purposes of counting and monitoring the size and presence of termite populations.
The matrix may also be used as a highly effective carrier for enhancing the delivery of termite toxins for the purpose of destroying substantial numbers of termites and thus inhibiting termite damage to cellulosic structures such as buildings and trees.
Methods of making termite-preferred matrices of this invention are also provided comprising mixing the various components to form a food, and preferably including the steps of separately mixing autoclavable components (including ethyl alcohol), autoclaving, and adding components which do not tolerate heat such as yeast hydrolysate. The method need not include heat sterilization but preferably does, since water may contain fungal spores which can make the matrix less attractive to termites if they do not discover it immediately after it has been placed in a bait station and the spores have a chance to grow. The method may also include adding termite toxins to the matrix and encasing this matrix in a physical container or a coating material. The container or coating material should be made of a water-retentive, vapor-permeable material.
Methods of killing termites are also provided comprising placing a toxin-containing matrix in a termite habitat upon which the termites will preferentially feed in place of other environmentally-available food sources. The methods preferably also include placing hydrated water-retaining materials (also referred to herein as water-retention agents) within the termite bait matrix or in the area immediately surrounding the termite matrix to provide a degree of humidity to the immediate area which can be detected by termites serve as a second means of attracting them.
Methods of monitoring termite activity in a region are also provided comprising placing a termite bait matrix as described above (referred to herein as a “bait station”) at one or more locations in a region and assessing the presence of termites at the site.
Methods of attracting termites comprising a hydrated water-retention agent in a termite habitat are also provided.
A termite attractant comprising a hydrated water-retention agent contained within a termite-accessible container is also provided. The “termite-accessible container” refers to a container or coating which retains moisture inside but which termites can enter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A bait matrix composition for termites has been developed which sufficiently fulfills the nutritional needs of the Formosan and native subterranean termites so as to be preferred by termites to other environmentally available sources of cellulose such as cardboard and southern yellow pine. The matrix can be used in baiting systems to deliver termite toxins to termites. The matrix composition comprises cellulose, water, and termite-preferred nutrients.
The cellulose may be supplied by means of any cellulose-containing material, preferably having 90% to greater than 95% cellulose, so long as it does not include chemicals which are toxic or repellant to termites. Such materials include commercially available cellulose, wood, paper, and cardboard, and are preferably in particulate form for ease of mixing with the other ingredients of the matrix. Sawdust may be from any plant source but is preferably from woods preferred by termites such as maple, birch, sweet gum and related woods. Alternate sources of sawdust, while usable, may contain chemicals in amounts that reduce the utility of such sawdust materials due to either repellant or toxic effects. Preferably, commercially available cellulose powder is used because it is less expensive than sawdust and lacks such chemicals.
Termites prefer foods which are at least partially broken down, as by fermentation, and have pH leve
King, Jr. Edgar G.
Morales-Ramos Juan A.
Rojas Guadalupe M.
Deck Randall E.
Fado John D.
Levy Neil S.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
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