AU2012100686A4 - The A.Y.S. termite location and eradication system - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed termite location and eradication system is designed to be used Inside a building as opposed to exterior areas. It involves the use of clear polycarbonate plugs, installed in internal and exterior surfaces of the walls of a home or other building. These plugs are used to locate termites, as when termites are present they will block off the interior surfaces of the clear polycarbonate plug as they cannot stand light. They function in total darkness. The termite mud treated plug then becomes obvious to the owner who concludes termites are active In the wall around the plug area. The owner can then insert a small camera which transmits a view of the interior of the wall, to a hand held screen or laptop computer screen, If termites are present then gas is used if possible (or prepared bait) through the plug hole to eradicate the termites. As termites can be inside timber without any exterior signs then an acoustic emissions detector capable of locating acoustic waves in the 40 - 60 kHz range Is used. Termites, when eating wood, make sound in this 40 - 60 kHz range, which is outside the range of human hearing.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT THE A.Y.S. TERMITE LOCATION AND ERADICATION SYSTEM The following statement Is a ful description of this invention Including the best method of performing It known to me: 1 THE A.Y.S. TERMITE LOCATION AND ERADICATION SYSTEM The methods employed by various pest control companies to locate termite nests, and eradicate the full nest and queen, have not changed a great deal over the years. S There has been an increase in methods to locate the termites outside the building and destroy them before they enter the building. On first consideration this may appear to be an ideal solution to the termite problem. However, there are some facts which should be given some serious 'thought. Termites are very protective creatures who hate to be disturbed. If termites are disturbed in their existing location, they will move to another Care, from outside to inside a building, for example, If termites are outside in, say, a garden area, they may have been there for years and are quite content with food and moisture available. saTo treat the garden area, when no termite activity has been observed, could cost up to $6000.00 (six thousand dollars). With the high cost of buying a home this money would be better spent in more positive ventures. The owner o f the home or building should carry out bi-monthly inspection of Mtrees, fences, etc, in the exterior of the premises and look out for termite tunnels and affected timber. It has been reported by CSIRO in Queensland the one In four houses are affected by termites. 30 It is also reported that a "super new strain" of termite has spread from Queensland and is in the Sydney area (2012). The writer does not say outside termite control is without merit, but the use of %Sthe A.Y.S. System of Pest and Termite Control, when used as directed, will give a more efficient result. The A.Y.S. Termite Location and Eradication System shall Increase the value of a home when installed and will not require the very frequent visits by a pest Control company. The first step is to draw a sketch of the house or building in its relationship to the full block. Include trees, fences, sheds, etc, which could contain termites.

2 An'inspection of the full area is carded out for evidence of termites in the trees, fences, sheds, etc and including under floor areas and visible timber areas of the house structures and roof space& SWhen temiltes travel they construct little mud tunnels through the earth, These are under the surface and sometimes they are seen going up walls or trees, etc. As termites can't stand light you will see mud packing around any area they iodecide to nest, which blocks off the light. Any suspect areas which may be found should be marked on the site rnap, At this point it is recommended that a dog trained in termite location by smell iSshould be used to find outside irfestations of termites, and underfloor areas and roof space. To locate termites the following method Is used and Is particular in finding termites by the unique sound termites make when chewing wood, :oThis sound is beyond the range of human hearing and is produced between 40 - 60 kHz. An acoustic emissions detector Is used; It only registers erissions In the 40 - 80 kHz range, and it filters out any other noise. See drawing A.Y.S 12/1 for detads and embodiments of the invention, s0rhe unit consists of two detector microphones (1) and a console (2) housing amplifiers, lights (3) and two digital display units4not shown - Interior). he two detector microphones (1) are connected to the console (5) and one microphone (1) is held on a clean piece of wood to check against false -tpositives. The second~microphone (1) is used to scan an area as desired, When an emission in the 40 - 60 kHz range is detected the digital display (4) will register the sound and the light (3) WI illuminate, If the detector (1) picks up any high frequency sound when testing an inside msWall of plaster board and timber stud wall (6) for Instance, a hole is made in the plaster board by drilling an inspection hole 18mm diameter (7). A small camera and light unit (10mm die) is pushed through the 18mm inspection hole (7) and the Inside of the wall area can be Inspected as seen on Aoa hand held screen or a lap-top may be used (not shown). A small inspection and treatment plug (8) is used by inserting It Into the inspection hole (7). This plug is made of a piece of polycarbonate tube 18mm dia X 25mm long (varies) with a 3mm thick x 25mm x square of clear 4polycearbonate glued to one end of the tube (see drawing AYS 12/1), + OTrI OP C T 0T

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3 This plug (8) acts as a long term inspection and treatment plug nd may vary In dimensions. These plugs (8) are strategically placed in the walls (6) both inside and outside the building, in all types of walls, i.e. brick, stone, weatherboard, etc. If required these plugs (8), which are not unsightly, can be used to hang pictures, etc, but should be exposed to light at all times. As previously stated termites dislike light and they will cover the inside face of eothe plug (8) with mud. This action lets the owner know termites are present. As the termites have informed the owner of their presence then no costly peat control Involvement is required for inspections. To get rid of the termites the same plug (8) is used. Gas is preferred as it has :ia more effective control and Is instant but is to be used with caution, and gas monitors employed. The gas is connected to the plug hole (7) and pumped into the interior of the wall. This method can be used in all or any of the inspection and treatment a~plugs (8). The owner is then assured of maximum penetration and eradication not only of termites but other pests too. Further camera inspection can be carried out at any time and the house value will increase. If gas Is used in a home situation or buildings used by people, the gas monitors are employed to ensure there is no gas danger prior to occupation. Air can be blown through the plugs (8) to help clear any remaining gas.

Claims (4)

1. A Termite Location and Eradication System which uses a polycarbonate tube with an inspection plate attached, which when fixed in a will allows the location of termites and the Inspection of the wall Interior and the eradication of termites by gas or other means. (See drawing AYS 12/1)

2. A Termite Location and Eradication System as in Claim 1 which uses the same unit as Claim I to monitor gas flow inside the said wall cavity, to determine successful eradication of termites. I0

3. A Termite Location and Eradication System as claimed in I and 2 which employs the use of a high frequency acoustic waves detector to locate termites and capable of checking against false positives (See drawing AYS 12/1).

4. A Termite Location and Eradication System substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 - 9 of the accompanying drawing. A.Y.STEWART 18 MAY 2012