Patent Grant
9750237
This invention relates to the field of pest control, and more particularly, to covered pest control devices and cover assemblies for retrofitting on Liquid Gravity-Feed Ants Elimination System (LGFAES) devices for targeting specific airborne and crawling insect species.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,216, invented by Robert McManus and Kenneth Kupfer, discloses an ideal device for controlling insect pest species including, for example, various species of ants. Unlike many pest control methods and devices, this device provides a weather-tolerant, high volume, continuous feed liquid insect bait delivery platform for effectively controlling and/or eliminating various insect and pest species.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,235, also invented by Robert McManus and Kenneth Kupfer, further discloses methods and devices for applying species-specific biological pathogens and other similar active ingredients to targeted insects attracted to the LGFAES, and upon leaving the LGFAES, these insects become vectors for transferring the active ingredients to other targeted insects, thus resulting in remote, episodic elimination of insects and/or an insect infestation.
While the above discussed devices and methods efficiently target and control certain insect species/populations including, for example, various ant species, improvements to these devices and methods can be made to further specifically target and control certain additional insect species, such as for example, mosquitoes, aphids, psyllids, mealybugs, scale and other plant sucking, disease vectoring homoptera, fruit flies, diamondback moth and balsam woolly adelgid, ticks, bedbugs, termites, cinch bugs, and many other arthropods that were not previously provided for.
Therefore a need exists to provide covered devices and/or cover assemblies that retrofit existing devices (e.g., LGFAES) that target specific airborne and crawling insect species, such as for example, mosquitoes, aphids, psyllids, mealybugs, scale and other plant sucking, disease vectoring homoptera, ants, fruit flies, diamondback moth and balsam woolly adelgid, ticks, bedbugs, termites, cinch bugs, and many other arthropods.
These covered devices and/or cover assemblies preferably lure targeted insects thereto with species specific insect attractants and contact the targeted insect(s) with a biopathogen (e.g., potentially a species specific biopathogen) and/or a bio-friendly active ingredient (e.g., bio-friendly pesticide) while within or in close proximity to the covered devices and/or cover assemblies. After being contacted with the biopathogen and/or bio-friendly active ingredient, the targeted insect subsequently leaves the device and returns to, for example, its colony thereby contaminating other insects with the biopathogen and/or bio-friendly active ingredient as they mate, feed or otherwise contact, and as a consequence eliminates those species contacted both directly or indirectly with the biopathogen and/or bio-friendly active ingredient over a period of time. The disclosed devices and/or cover assemblies thus provide for targeted, species specific pest control of various airborne and crawling insect species preferably resulting in mass remote extermination upon leaving the device and/or cover assemblies.
Specifically disclosed are devices for eliminating airborne and crawling insect pests including a base carrying a membrane ring impregnated or coated with an active ingredient thereon and an insect feeding pool; a stem mounted to the base having a lower portion that covers the membrane ring and feeding pool; a reservoir positioned atop the stem, the reservoir adapted to contain liquid bait; a valve (e.g., one or more stress duct openings) disposed in the stem for metering flow of the liquid bait (i.e., bio-friendly active ingredient) from the reservoir to the insect feeding pool on the base; and a cover positioned atop the reservoir and extending radially outward therefrom to span and cover the base. The cover further houses at least one of a metered bioattractant dispenser, a metered biopathogen dispenser, a light source, a solar panel, or any combination thereof.
In certain aspects, the device further includes a sleeve disposed intermediate the reservoir and the cover, the sleeve housing a battery therein electrically connected to at least one of the metered bioattractant dispenser, the metered biopathogen dispenser, the light source, and the solar panel.
In certain aspects, the sleeve seats upon an annular flange circumferentially surrounding the reservoir.
In certain aspects, the sleeve and cover are separate components or, alternatively, are integrally formed.
In certain aspects, the flow path for the liquid bait is provided from the reservoir to the insect feeding pool on the base.
In certain aspects, at least one of the metered bioattractant dispenser, the metered biopathogen dispenser, the light source, the solar panel, or any combination thereof are affixed to an interior surface of the cover. In certain aspects, each of the metered bioattractant dispenser, the metered biopathogen dispenser, the light source, and the solar panel are affixed to an interior surface of the cover. In certain aspects, the metered bioattractant and metered biopathogen dispensers may be independently equipped with motion sensors to detect when flying insects are in close proximity to the metered bioattractant and/or metered biopathogen dispensers. Upon detection of this motion, the bioattractant and/or biopathogen may be dispensed from the metered bioattractant dispenser and/or the metered biopathogen dispenser thereby contacting the targeted insect with the biopathogen and/or bioattractant. In addition or in the alternative, the metered bioattractant dispenser and metered biopathogen dispenser may be operatively linked to a programmable timer to dispense the bioattractant and/or the biopathogen at predetermined times for predetermined time periods.
In certain aspects, the cover is transparent or translucent.
In certain aspects, the cover is spaced apart from the base and the stem to provide sufficient clearance there between to create a hospitable environment for a flying insect's entry and departure.
In certain aspects, the cover is bowl shaped.
In certain aspects, the stem connects the base to the reservoir such that the combination of the base, stem, and reservoir have an hourglass shape.
In certain aspects, the device further includes a stake configured for attachment to the base to secure the device in, for example, the ground.
In certain aspects, the bioattractants may include pheromones (sex, aggregation, food, etc.), synthetic and/or naturally occurring chemicals, color, sugar, light, perfume, carbon dioxide, octenol and other compounds that make up body odor. Bioattractants may further include simulating a soft buzzing sound of, for example, a female mosquito.
In certain aspects, biopathogens may include fungus (e.g., Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, etc.), bacteria (e.g., Wolbachia), or a combination thereof that eradicates and/or disrupts insect mating. Fungus disclosed herein may be dispensed in spore form.
In certain aspects, the active ingredients (liquid bait) includes boric acid solution(s), mating disruptors, etc. coupled with, for example, inert ingredients such as a sugar solution.
When in use, these covered devices may dispense a predetermined, metered amount of bioattractant from the bioattractant dispenser thereby luring a specific airborne and/or crawling insect species to the device. If the insect species is, for example, mosquitoes sufficient clearance exists between the cover and the stem allowing the mosquitoes to fly freely around the device's cover. While underneath the cover, the mosquitoes may be contacted with a biospecific pathogen by dispensing a predetermined metered amount of biospecific pathogen from the metered biopathogen dispenser. In addition, the mosquitoes may be further contacted with and/or ingest an active ingredient (liquid bait) and subsequently leave the device for interaction with and possible mass remote extermination of other mosquitoes.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that pest control strategies may be varied and specifically tailored to specifically targeted insect species and even to a specific insect's gender using the disclosed covered devices and cover assemblies. For example, in view of the above discussed mosquito control strategy, pest control strategies with the disclosed devices may be varied if specifically targeting male mosquitoes and/or female mosquitoes. Specifically, male mosquitoes have limited lifespans (˜1 week or less) and their sole purpose is procreating with female mosquitoes. Furthermore, male mosquitoes do not require blood for survival but generally require sugar(s) for energy/survival. With this in mind and when attracting male mosquitoes with the disclosed devices and cover assemblies, the devices may include for example an active ingredient (e.g., boric acid solution) combined with a sugar solution, ultra violet light and a soft buzzing sound that simulates the female mosquito. Once the male mosquitoes have been attracted to the device, the male mosquito may subsequently ingest the boric acid sugar solution being dispensed from the reservoir, which acts as a procreation interrupter, and/or may be contacted with a biopathogen dispensed by the metered biopathogen dispenser. The male mosquitoes may subsequently leave the device but are unable to procreate with a female due to ingestion of the procreation interrupter and may further contaminate other mosquitoes with the biopathogen, thus leading to mass remote extermination of other mosquitoes.
Alternatively, when attracting female mosquitoes with the disclosed device, it is imperative to understand female mosquito biology. Female mosquito lifespan is approximately one month, and unlike male mosquitoes, female mosquitoes require human and/or vertebrate blood to produce proteins necessary for egg production post-insemination. During their lifespan, female mosquitoes mate only once, and if successfully inseminated, then produce eggs periodically over their lifespan. When attracting female mosquitoes with the disclosed devices, the metered bioattractant dispenser may dispense octenol, artificial blood, or other attractants, and light from the light source may be used as well. Bioattractants and biopathogens (e.g., Wolbachia) may be included with the active ingredient (e.g., boric acid solution) and/or optionally combined with a sugar solution being dispensed from the device's reservoir. Once the female mosquitoes have been attracted to the device, the female mosquito may subsequently ingest the boric acid solution that may also include, for example, Wolbachia—a sterilizing bacterium that prevents procreation. In addition and/or in the alternative, the female mosquitoes may be contacted with a biopathogen (e.g., a fungus or bacterium such as Wolbachia) being dispensed from the metered biopathogen dispenser. The female mosquitoes may subsequently leave the device but are unable to procreate with a male due to being contacted with Wolbachia but may further contaminate other mosquitoes with the biopathogen, thus leading to mass remote extermination of other mosquitoes.
In certain aspects, the disclosed covered devices and cover assemblies may be used to directly target and control homoptera including, but not limited to, aphids, mealy bugs, scale, psyllids and other plant damaging and disease vectoring homoptera insects. Homoptera are a worldwide, multi-crop problem whereby the insect, as an adult and in several instar stages feed on and damage plant tissues, particularly the flush, new growth, for the nitrogen. Adult homoptera are attracted to the flush, new growth by its color and aroma. When attracting the homoptera with the disclosed devices, a bioattractant simulating new flush growth aroma may be dispensed by the metered bioattractant dispenser to attractant the homoptera underneath the cover of the device. Once within the cover, a biopathogen (e.g., a fungus) may be dispensed from biopathogen dispenser onto the homoptera. Furthermore, the active ingredient (e.g., boric acid solution) may be dispensed from the base (e.g., the membrane ring and/or feeding pool) and ingested by the homoptera. After being contacted with the biopathogen and/or ingesting the active ingredient, the homoptera preferably leaves the device, interacts with other homoptera thereby contaminating other homoptera with the biopathogen and/or active ingredient, thus leading to mass remote extermination of other homoptera.
In other aspects, the disclosed devices and cover assemblies may be used to indirectly target homoptera by controlling ant populations as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,467,216 and 7,278,235 thereby affecting ant/homoptera mutualism. Ant/homoptera mutualism is a worldwide, multi-crop condition wherein ants protect and farm aphids, mealy bugs, scale, psyllids and other plant damaging and disease vectoring homoptera for their honeydew. By removing the ants, the homoptera can be eliminated by the ladybugs, lacewings, wasps, spiders, and other beneficial insects.
In other aspects, the disclosed devices and cover assemblies may be used to indirectly target homoptera by contaminating foraging ants with fungus or other biopathogen(s) provided in the feeding pool; dispensed by the metered biopathogen dispenser, or by contact with the membrane ring positioned on the base of the device, thereby eliminating the homoptera the ants come in contact with as they farm and protect them and leading to mass remote extermination of other homoptera.
As further alluded to above, existing pest control devices may be retrofitted with cover assemblies disclosed herein to have substantially similar function as those covered devices discussed immediately above, thus providing for enhanced targeting of, for example, specific airborne and crawling insect species by creating and maintaining a hospitable environment. In certain aspects, the pest control device cover assemblies include a cover adapted for attachment atop a reservoir of a pest control device and to extend radially outward therefrom to span and cover a base of the pest control device. The cover assemblies further include at least one of a metered bioattractant dispenser, a metered biopathogen dispenser, a light source, a solar panel or any combination thereof is housed in the cover.
In certain aspects, the cover assembly further includes a sleeve that is either a separate component from or integrally formed with the cover such that the sleeve is disposed intermediate the cover and the reservoir of the pest control device when attached to the pest control device.
In certain aspects, the cover assembly further includes a battery housed within the sleeve and adapted for electrical connection to at least one of the metered bioattractant dispenser, the metered biopathogen dispenser, the light source, and the solar panel. For example, the solar panel may be electrically connected to the battery to charge and/or re-charge the battery. The battery may be further electrically connected to the metered bioattractant dispenser, the metered biopathogen dispenser, and/or the light source thereby functioning as a primary or auxiliary power source.
In certain aspects, the sleeve of the cover assembly is adapted to seat upon an annular flange on the reservoir of the pest control device.
In certain aspects, at least one of the metered bioattractant dispenser, the metered biopathogen dispenser, the light source, the solar panel, or any combination thereof are removably attached to an interior surface of the cover of the cover assembly.
In certain aspects, the cover of the cover assembly is transparent or translucent, and may further be bowl shaped.
Embodiments of the invention can include one or more or any combination of the above features and configurations.
Additional features, aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present various embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various drawings.
Disclosed are devices and cover assemblies that retrofit existing devices for targeting specific airborne and crawling insect species, such as for example, mosquitoes, aphids, psyllids, mealybugs, scale and other plant sucking, disease vectoring homoptera, ants, fruit flies, diamondback moth and balsam woolly adelgid, and mosquitoes, ticks, bedbugs, ants, termites, and cinch bugs. These devices and cover assemblies are preferably weather tolerant and are adapted for long term outdoor use.
In certain aspects and as shown in
In certain aspects, the existing pest control devices include a lower portion/shield 13 that flares from the stem 12 as an integral part thereof, or an attachment thereto, according to predetermined design. The lower portion/shield 13 preferably extends outward from the stem to form an overhang, in which the membrane ring 11 and insect feeding pool 17 are positioned between the shield 13 and base 10 and recessed relative to the shield 13 and base 10. The membrane ring 11 may extend completely around the device. Furthermore, coverage of the membrane ring 11 and insect feeding pool 17 by the lower portion/shield 13 protects the liquid bait from sun, rain and other environmental conditions known to cause evaporation, deterioration, dilution, or other negative results. It is contemplated that the shield 13 may be formed from various materials or combinations of materials, so long as the shield functions in a manner as described herein. The base 10 may further provide for a threaded engagement or a locking engagement (e.g., with a locking screw) to secure the reservoir 14 to the base 10. The base 10 may be further configured to receive stake 70, which may be used to secure device 100 to a desired surface (e.g., the ground).
In view of
As discussed above, metered biopathogen dispensers 22 and metered bioattractant dispensers 21 are contemplated in the disclosed devices and cover assemblies.
When in use, it is contemplated that the reservoir 14 receives and stores a quantity of liquid bait; typically enough to supply bait to the insect feeding pool 17 without replenishment for a period of several weeks. The reservoir 14 receives the bait via the stem 12. It is contemplated that various formulations of liquid bait may be used in conjunction with the covered LGFAES to eliminate the specifically targeted airborne and crawling insects. For example, boric acid used in varying strengths and formulations effectively eliminates many targeted insect species and is preferably included in the reservoir 14 of the disclosed devices. Liquid baits dispensed from the reservoir may further include a low toxicity chemical, insect growth regulator, mating disruption pheromone, or any additional biorational formulation. In particular, a formula of up to two percent boric acid and the balance as inert ingredients (e.g., a sugar solution) typically produces satisfactory insecticide and pesticide related results and may be included in the reservoir of the disclosed devices.
Exemplary bioattractants may include pheromones (sex, aggregation, food, etc.), synthetic and/or naturally occurring chemicals, color, sugar, light, perfume, carbon dioxide, octenol and other compounds that make up body odor. Bioattractants may further include simulating a soft buzzing sound of, for example, a female mosquito.
Exemplary biopathogens dispensed from the metered biopathogen dispenser may include fungus (e.g., Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, etc.), bacteria (e.g., Wolbachia), or a combination thereof that eradicate and/or disrupt mating of an insect. Fungus may be dispensed in spore form.
The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by way of example only. It is envisioned that other embodiments may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/389,013 filed on Feb. 16, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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