AU605117B2 - Composition for rodent control - Google Patents

Description

'1 AUSTRALIA 6 5 1 1 Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: APPLICANT'S REF.: ICI Case Z/PP 34119/AU Name(s) of Applicant(s): Address(es) of Applicant(s): ICI AMERICAS INC.

Concord Pike and New Murphy Road Wilmington, Delaware 19897 United States of America Actual Inventor(s): David Gordon Hobbs This document contains the amendments made under Section 49 and is correct for printing PHILLIPS, ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 Address for Service is: Complete Specification for the invention entitled: COMPOSITION FOR RODENT CONTROL The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): P19/3/84 L i i i 1: COMPOSITION FOR RODENT CONTROL Background of the Invention 3 30 3 3 3 3330 3 3 .3.3 3 333 g.3 3 3.

3 3 3.

3.

4 3ioo *i Toxicants applied to the exterior of rodents, referred to as contact toxicants, are of par- -ticular importance in those situations where conventional rodent devices, such as baits, are either difficult to apply or are poorly accepted.

Although contact toxicants can be directly applied by spraying) to pest animals, the logistics of this approach make passive systems preferable.

Passive contact toxicant systems are those wherein the pest animal encounters the toxicant during the course of it's normal movement or behavior. Most passive contact toxicant systems involve tracking powders which are ingested through subsequent grooming activity of the animal after exposure and body contamination. Such formulations, unfortunately, are unable to 20 withstand changes in climatic conditions and therefore contaminate the environment.

Passive contact toxicants are further employed in control devices. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,281,471. In 25 this reference, an apparatus characterized by an elongated tube with an interior cross-section is disclosed. Within this interior cross-section is located at least one cartridge onto which is loaded an absorbent material commonly referred to as the "wick." 30 The absorbent material is saturated with a toxic solution. Rodents passing through the elongated tube come into contact with the toxicant formulation.

'a r, -2t~ a.

a.

'During grooming, the rodent ingests the adhed toxicant and subsequently dies, usually outside the area of contact. This apparatus offers maximum contact between the rodent and pesticide, while substantially reducing chances of contamination to non-target species.

Morris et al, "Design and Evaluation Criteria for Development of Toxic Wicks for Rodent Control", Special Technical Publication 817, pp. 165-182, 1984, discusses the feasibility of using similar devices in the control of rodents. In this publication, the toxicant composition applied to the wick is a 0.25% solution of brodifacoum in a propylene glycol solution containing polyethylene glycol of an approxi- 15 mate molecular weight of 200. Unfortunately, rodents often find such toxicant compositions attractive for nesting purposes and thus they readily remove them from the cartridges. Further, this toxic formulation readily absorbs water. Thus, the probability of the formulation leaking off the wick into the interior cross-section of the tube and, thus, into the environment is high. As a result, this composition may contaminate non-target species and the environment.

Further, it is unsuitable for use in mass marketing due to it's susceptibility to physical changes in the atmosphere.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of this invention to provide a liquid composition for use in rodent control which: a y 1 a a 9 a.

S.S

S

a..

S.

1. contains a lethal dose of roz enticide, 2. is palatable non-offensive) to the rodent, but not an attractant such that the rodent removes the wick; 3. is stable non-volatile) at high temperatures; and 4. is non-hygroscopic.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a composition for use in rodent control tubular devices, which in addition to the aboveidentified properties, is also of sufficient viscosity that it adheres to the wick and wicks off onto the rodent without leaking into the tube and/or environment; and 6. is compatible with the plastic material of the elongated, tube and/or cartridge.

It is further an object of this invention to provide a rodenticidal composition which is childproof, not resulting in death upon ingestion.

Detailed Description of the Invention The composition of this invention, particularly useful for the control of rats and mice, has a low vapor pressure. As a result, evaporation of the rodenticide at high temperatures is avoided. In addition, the composition does not absorb large quantities of water, especially at low temperatures.

Further, since the targeted rodent must ingest, for efficacy purposes, the rodenticidal formulation, the composition preferably should not contain an emetic.

The composition of this invention may be characterized by the following properties:

S.

*9 S

S

a..

S.

a aa i.

-4y 'Vapor Pressure, mm Hg at 25°C, 0.'001-20, Se preferably less than 2.

Viscosity, Brookfield LVT, cps, at 25 0

C:

5-800 cps, preferably below 300, most preferably below 250.

Flash Point, Seta-Flash: greater than 100 0

F.

At room temperature, the composition of this invention is a homogeneous liquid and comprises a rodenticidally effective amount of at least one rodenticide and at least one additive.

The rodenticides of this invention are selected from the group consisting of: 1. 4-Hydroxycoumarin derivatives such as: A. Compounds of the formula

R

R

I 1 wherein 1 2 R and R are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or halogen atoms 25 (preferably chlorine or bromine) and alkyl or alkoxy groups (preferably having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms),

SR

3 is an aryl group having the formula n 9o Il __ji where n is 1 or 2, and R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkoxy group, preferably containing at least 2, more preferably from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl, preferably cyclohexyl group, a benzyl, phenyl, halogenophenyl, phenoxy and halogenophenoxy group. The halogen atom or atoms are preferably chlorine or bromine. When n is 1, R 4 is preferably in the para position and when n is 2, one of the R groups is preferably in the para position. Preferably

R

3 contains at least 1 (but not more than 3) and optimally not more than 2 halogen atoms. These compounds are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,957,824 and 4,035,505, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Especially preferred are the compounds of the structural formulae 0 wherein X is hydrogen and bromine, commonly referred to as difenacoum and brodifacoum, respectively; B. Compounds of the formula 11 R Hi 2 2 1 7

A*

L S9 )v4 a- -6- B. Compounds of the formula

H-CH

Aii dioxyphenyl or furyl, R1 is methyl, phenyl, halophenyl, nitrophenyl, diphenyl, halodiphenyl, nitrodiphenyl and naphthyl radicals, and

R

2 is hydrogen or a halogen.

Such compounds are disclosed in U.S. Patent No.

3,764,693, herein incorporated by reference. Especially preferred are the compounds wherein R is -H or

S-C

6

H

5 RI is -C 6

H

5 or -C 6

H

4

-C

6

H

4 X wherein X is Br or 20 Cl; and R2 is H. Especially preferred is the compound wherein R 2 is hydrogen, R is -C 6

H

5 and R 1 is---Br.

This compound is commonly referred to as Bromadiolone.

C. Compounds of the formula zn..

OH

I,

-7- .in which Z represents a halogen atom, prefefably a 4 Schlorine atom, and n is 0, 1 or 2 and R represents either a grouping which comprises a phenylene radical attached directly or indirectly to the tetralin ring and having in the para position (with respect to such attachment) an electron-withdrawing atom or group whose rotational volume substantially does not exceed that of a phenyl group and which forms together with said phenylene radical a polarisable structure, or a grouping selected from: N or Nor 20 N or a grouping which comprises a phenylene radical 25 attached directly to the tetralin ring and having in the para position (with respect to such attachment) a substituted furanyl or thiophenyl radical attached thereto directly or through oxygen and/or methylene, said furanyl or thiophenyl radical having an electronwithdrawing atom or group as a substituent i a position forming with the furanyl or thiophenyl radical a polarisable structure, said atom or group 1 I

J

Shaving a rotational volume which substantially does not exceed that of a phenyl group and halogenated derivatives thereof.

Preferred compounds are those in which R represents a grouping above, which includes a phenylene radical. When such phenylene radical is attached directly, or through another phenylene radical only, or through an oxygen atom and another phenylene radical to the tetralin ring the electronwithdrawing atom or group should not be a halogen atom. Preferably, the just-stated preferred compounds are compounds in which the R substituent in the tetralin ring contains two-linked phenylene radicals, the outer one being attached to the para position of the inner one (itself attached in the para dash position to the tetralin ring) by a linear or essentially linear radical selected from: -0-(CH2)m-; -(CH2)m-0-(CH2)p-; -(CH2)m-; and the.sulphur analogues thereof, in which m is 1 to 6 and p is 1 to 6. When said linking radical is it is noted that such a radical represents the specific selection of a chain of from 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 4, more preferably 3, methylene radicals.

Most preferred are the compounds wherein R is one of the following: (a)

S

S

,Q

S

S

V

-9wherein X is as defined below preferably CN or CF and n is 0, 1 or 2, provided that when n is -1 or 2, Y is fluorine or chlorine in a position adjacent to X (b)

I

wherein X is as defined below, preferably CN or CF 3 and Y is fluorine or chlorine, and n is either 0, 1 or 2 provided that when n is 1 or 2, Y is in a position adjacent to X and X can also be a halogen atom (c) N or Nor (d) 25 Q 7 Xt yo 7X., -f3~iT X r c C47JIx .0 a wherein X is as defined below, or is a halogen atom, preferably a bromine atom (e)

<V,

CH, CH X wherein X is as defined below and n=O, or is a halogen atom and Y is a halogen atom and n is 1 or 2.

(f) -O Xt *o

V.

,c H X wherein X is as defined below and n=O, or is a halogen oi* atom. Y is a halogen atom and n is 1 or 2, and m is 1 to 6 and p is I to 6, together with the sulphur analogues of the above structures in which an S atom replaces one or both 0 atoms.

In such compounds X is selected from the group consisting of

S

wherein X is as defined below, or is a halogen atom, preferably a bromine atom (e) x wherein X is as defined below and n=O, or is a halogen atom and Y is a halogen atom and n is I or 2.

(f) 200 C x 25 wherein X is as defined below and n=O, or is a halogen atom. Y is a halogen atom and n is or 2, and m is 1 S"to 6 and p is i to 6, together with the sulphur :analogues of the above structures in which an S atom replaces one or both 0 atoms.

In such compounds X is selected fr6m the group consisting of -11- 5 6 7 CN; NO 2

SO

2 R; CF; OCF; COOR ,.COR and 2 S2 3' 3' NOq.

con*.

-cHz -a C'4. -CH2 -a NO.; -CH CHI, -CH 2 l- SOW -CH 2 Q 0 D -c2a, coor 5 6 7 in which R R and R signify alkyl groups especially

C

1 to C alkyl groups. Of these, the -CN and -CF 1 4 3 groups are particularly preferred. Especially preferred are compounds wherein Z is chlorine, n is 0, 1 or 2 and R represents V in which Hal is a fluorine or chlorine atom and n is 0 S. or 1, X is a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom or a -CN, -CF 3 or -OCF 3 group and D represents -OCH 2 or -(CH2)m- where m is 2 to 3; and most especially the compound 4-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-(4-(4- 99 -12- -trifluoromethylbenzyloxy)phenylj -l-naphthy-1- coumarin represented by the formula S S

S.

S S most commonly referred to as Flocoumafen. These compounds are further discussed in U.S. Patent 4,520,007.

2. Indandione derivatives, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2acetyl-1,3-indandione, commonly referred to as Diphacinone and (1'-parachlorophenyl-1'-phenyl)-2-acetyl-1, 3-indandione, commonly referred to as Chlorodiphacinone; and 3. lMonofluoroacetic acid.

4. Compounds of the formula 20

NO

2

R

2 R 3

R

0 2 N N R' C F3 R 5

R

4 wherein R represents methyl, ethyl or propyl; Rrepresents hydrogen, fluoro, chioro, bromo, iodo, cyano, methyl, nitro or triflutoromethyl; Rand Rindependently represent--hydrogen, fluoro, chioro, bromo, nitro, methyl or trifluoro-

S

S.

S

S..

55 S S

S.

-13- 2 methyl, provided that no more than one of R2-and R 4 represents nitro; R and R independently represent hydrogen, -'methyl, fluoro, .chloro, bromo or trifluoromethyl; provided that 1 2 3 4 no more than one of R R R, R and R represents methyl, except that R and R may both represent methyl; when R 1

R

2

R

3

R

4 or R 5 represents methyl or fluoro, two or three of R1, R 2 and R represent chloro or bromo; 1 2 3 4 no more than one of R R R R and '3 4

R

5 represents trifluoromethyl, except that R and R may both represent trifluoromethyl; when R or R represents trifluorometh- Syl, R1 represents chloro or bromo; 3 4 when one and only one of R and R 1 2 represents trifluoromethyl, two or three of R

I

R and 5 R represent chloro or bromo; 20 no more than four of R 1

R

2

R

3 R and

R

5 represent hydrogen; two fluorine atoms are not adjacent to each other; when R or R represents nitro, R 25 represents chloro, bromo or nitro; 1 2 3 4 5 when R R R R and R represents 1 2 3 5 trifluoromethyl, none of R R R R and R repre- *i sents fluoro or methyl.

These compounds are disclosed in U.S. Patent"No.

4,187,318. Especially preferred is the compound 1 2 5 are bromineand R3 wherein R is -CH 3 R R 2 and R are bromine-and R Ln e r

I

i v -14- -t 14 Sand R are hydrogen, i.e. N-methyl-2,4-dini-tro-N- 2 4 6 -tribromophenyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl) benzeneamine, more commonly referred to as Bromethalin.

Vitamin D compounds, 'such as calciferol (ergocalciferol) and cholecalciferol. Such compounds are especially preferred when used in combination with any other rodenticide referred to herein.

Further included as compounds in this invention, are the 4-hydroxy coumarin derivatives Dicoumarol, Coumatetraly and Coumachlor and the indanedione derivative Pindone.

S

Ir 15 .*20 Further, salts of the aforementioned compounds may be employed. Such salts are generally formed by the reaction of the selected rodenticide with a salt-forming agent selected from the group consisting of: an alkali metal, such as sodium or potassium, or the hydroxides thereof; (ii) ammonia or ammonium hydroxide; and (iii) a conventional amine.

Preferred as the amine are alkanolamines of 'the formula N[(CnH2n) OH]x (H) z wherein n=l to 6, x and y are independently,1 to 3, z is 0 to 2 and further wherein x+z=3.

Especially preferred is the alkanolamine wherein n 2 and y and amines of the formula 2

R

1

-N-R

3 OR OH p ".25.

30

S.

C

q112-1- Ir r a -r S wherein R 1 and R 2 are independenty hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or iso-propyl; R and R are independently -CH 2 -CH2CH 2

-CH

2

CH

2

CH

2

CH

and -CHCH 2 and p is either 0 or 1.

The compounds useful as rodenticides in this invention are more fully discussed in Kirk-Othmer, jEncyclopedia Of Chemical Technology, Vol. 18, 3rd Edition, pps. 308-318 (1982), which is hereby incorporated by reference along with the references discussed therein. Further, combinations of the above rodenticides may also be employed.

The total amount of rodenticide normally employed in the composition is between 0.05 and 15.0, preferably between 0.15 and 5.0, most preferably 0.25, percent of the total weight of the composition.

Of the above rodenticides, especially preferred are brodifacoum and difenacoum and their 20 metal, ammonium and amine salts since they are more effective at lower concentrations and against rodent populations resistant to such rodenticides as chlorophacinone, diphacinone, and warfarin.

The additives of this invention modify the viscosity and other phySical properties of the composition such that water absorption, wick adhesion, palatibility, structural compatibility and rodenticidal effect are optimized. In particular, the additives of this invention must: absorb less than fifteen percent moisture when exposed to 55% humidity w -16-

S.-

at 5°C in a 3 inch diameter open petri dish for 72 hours; undergo less than five per cent weight loss when exposed to 55% humidity at 50°C for 72 hours in a 3 inch diameter open petri dish; and have a viscosity less than 800 centepoise (cps) at 25 0

C.

Such additives may be selected from the group consisting of 1. polyoxyalkylated alkyl phenols; 2. sorbitan fatty acids and polyoxyalkylated derivatives thereof; 3. polyoxyalkylated fatty amines; 4. polyoxyalkylated branched or linear alcohols, diols or polyols; (This group can also be referred to as polyoxyalkylated ethers.) polyoxyalkylated branched or linear 20 mercaptans; 6. polyoxyalkylated esters; and 7. polyoxyalkylated amines.

The polyoxyalkylated alkyl phenols are produced by condensing 1 mole of a higher alkyl phenol with between 1.0 and 12.5.moles, preferably 6 to 11 moles, of alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene and/or propylene oxide. The phenol typically contains one or more C 4 to C 12 alkyl group(s). Nonyl and octyl phenols are especially preferred. Examples .include the condensation products of 1 mole of nonyl phenol and its isomers and 4, 5 and 10 moles of ethylene oxide.

I

I

Sr 9 Sq 9 4*

*SS

S _i I i -17- £1 V The srbitan fatty acid is derived from j f 1 mole of sorbitan and between one and three-moles of at least one C 8 to C 16 saturated or unsaturated fatty ,acid such as lauric, palmitic, myristic and oleic acid. Examples of suitable sorbitan fatty acids include sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, and sorbitan trioleate.

The polyoxyalkylated sorbitan fatty acid esters are derived from 1 mole of the above described sorbitan fatty acid and between 1.0 and 12.5, most preferably 5, moles of alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene and/or propylene oxide. Specific examples of polyoxyalkylated sorbitan fatty acid esters suitable as additives in this invention include the condensation products of 20 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of *either sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate or sorbitan tall oil esters.

The polyoxyalkylated fatty amines are produced by reacting 1 mole of a C 12 to C 18 saturated or unsaturated fatty amine, most preferably a C 1 fatty amine, with between 1 and 16 moles of alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene and/or propylene oxide, most preferably ethylene oxide. Suitable fatty amines are oleyl, coco, soya and.lauryl amines. Examples of polyoxyalkylated fatty amines include the reaction product of 1 mole of oleylamine and 5 moles of ethylene oxide; and the reaction product of 1 mole of the aminated derivative of tall oil and 16 moles of ethylene oxide.

The polyoxyalkylated branched or linear alcohols, diols or polyols are derived from 1 mole of

S

_j -18- ,a C 1 'to C 15 saturated or unsaturated prirely, Ssecondary or tertiary alcohol and between 1 and moles of alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene and/or -propylene oxide. Examples of polyoxyalkylated branched linear alcohols include the reaction product of 2 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of olelyl alcohol; 8 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol; a C 11

-C

15 secondary alcohol with 7 or 9 moles of ethylene oxide; 1 mole of tridecyl alcohol and 6 moles of ethylene oxide; 1 mole of tridecyl alcohol and 8 moles of ethylene oxide; and 1 mole of 2,6,8-trimethylnonanol and 6 moles of ethylene oxide.

The polyoxyalkylated branched or linear mercaptans are the reaction products of one mole of a mercaptan of the formula RSH, where R is a C to

C

30 saturated alkyl group and (ii) between 1 and 16 .moles of alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene and/or propylene oxide. An example of this additive is the i 20 reaction product of 1 mole of dodecyl mercaptan and 8 moles of ethylene oxide.

i The polyoxyalkylated esters are of the formula 0 i! o 1 S* R-C-0(CH 2 wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or S" 30 acyclic C 10

-C

22 group,

R

1 is -H or and S 0 .35 X is between one and eighteen.

-19- These esters are produced by reacting one mole of the appropriate acid with between 1 and 18 moles-of alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene and/or propylene .oxide. An example of such an additive is polyoxyethylene (10) glycol oleate.

The polyoxyalkylated amines employed in this invention are selected from the group consisting of H A

R-N-(CH

2 3

-N-A

A A i I

R-N-(CH

2 3 and A A I I 20 R-N-(CH 2 3

-N-A

wherein a R is a C 1 2 to C 1 8 saturated alkyl group; A is independently (CH 2

CH

2

CH

2 0)X H or

(CH

2

CH

2 0)X H wherein X is between 1 and 14 and further 25 wherein the sum of all X's in any one compound is not I greater than Suitable methods for producing the above polyoxyalkylated additives are well known in the art and are discussed in many-standard textbooks; such as S" 30 the Surfactant Science Series, Vol. I to VII, Martin J. Schick, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., publisher, and particularly Vol. I, entitled Nonionics.

Further, combinations of the above additives may also be employed. The total amount of such f lr additive in the composition is between 70-90%, preferably 80-90%, most preferably 87%, based on the weight of the total composition.

Further, the composition may also contain an organic solvent. This solvent serves to enhance the shelf life of the liquid concentrate and further, serves to solvate the amine salt in the additive.

Generally any organic solvent or combination of organic solvents miscible with the above-identified additives and rodenticides and which permit the composition of this invention to have the following characteristics absorbs less than fifteen percent moisture when exposed to 55% humidity at 5*C in a 3 inch diameter open petri dish for 72 hours; undergo less than five percent weight loss when exposed to 55% humidity at 50°C for 72 hours in a 3 inch diameter S 20 open petri dish; and have a viscosity less than 800 centempoise (cps) at 25 0

C.

may be employed. Preferred are polyalkylene polyols, especially those of molecular weight between 100 and 600. Polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol are especially preferred. Most preferred is a polyethylene glycol of molecular weight 200. The amount of e" solvent normally employed in the formulation is 0, between 2 and 50Z, preferably between 2 and 10%, based 30 on the total weight of the composition.

Further the composition may contain any conventional dye that is fluorescent and soluble in the composition. Such dyes have a three-fold purpose.

-21- S1. Aalytical Tool. The fluorescent dyes re employed to determine the relative amount of rodenticide in any given sample or the relative amount of rodenti- -cide uptake in a given subject. Further, due to the high level of toxicity of the colorless rodenticides of this invention, appropriate precautionary measures can be undertaken after this quantity is determined.

2. Use in Field Operations. When employed in the above-discussed tubular rodent control devices, the amount of dye present in any given sample may also be used to determine the efficacy of the wick. This can be ascertained by measuring the amount of dye uptake (which is analogous to the uptake of the active ingredient) by the rodent per pass over the wick, as outlined in the Morris et al article cited above.

3. Contamination of Substrates. It is often necessary to determine how much rodenticide is contaminating the substrate. Thus, for example, the amount of rodenticide in wood can be ascertained by extracting the dye from the wood and calculating the corresponding rodenticide content.

Examples of especially suitable dyes are listed in D.M. Marmion, Handbook of U.S. Colorants for Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley and Sons, 1984, which is herein incorporated by reference.

-Especially preferred .are: A. fluorescent dyes selected from the group consisting of fluorescein dyes such as fluorescein (D C Yellow 17) and its metal Ca, Na) salts; 4-iodofluorescein; 4,5-diiodofluorescein; and 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein; -22- B. Xanthenes such as D C Yellow Rhodamine B (D C Red 119); D C Yellow 110 (quinoline yellow, i.e. the disodium salt of 2-(2-quinolyl)- 1,3-indandione); and D C Yellow ll (quinoline yellow SS); and C. F D C Blue 11, Brilliant Blue FCF.

Combinations of dyes may also be employed. The total amount of dye normally employed is between 0.01 to 2%, most preferably 0.1 and 0.2% by weight of the total composition.

While the composition of this invention may be produced by processes known in the art, two processes are especially preferred. In the first, the rodenticide and additive and, optionally, solvent, and/or dye are simultaneously mixed and stirred between 20" and 30"C, preferably room temperature, from 30 seconds to 3 days depending on such factors, well known to one skilled in the art, as volume, agitator shear, temperature of the reaction vessel, and product solubility. The mixture is sufficiently blended when the resulting composition remains homogeneous.

If the rodenticide employed is to be a metal, amine or ammonium salt of one of the aforementioned compounds, the appropriate salt-forming agent is also simultaneously mixed with the above components. Alternatively, the metal, ammonia or amine salt may be formed prior to admixing with the rodenticide with the other components of this invention..

The sequential process is especially useful when the rodenticide employed is a metal, amine or

_I

-23- .r~ ammonium salt of one of the aforementioned compounds.

In this process one of the aforementioned compounds, the salt-forming agent and organic solvent are simul- .taneously added to a reaction vessel and the mixture stirred from 1 to 7 hours. To the resulting mixture containing the formed rodenticidal salt is added the additive and, optionally, the dye. Alternatively the rodenticide, salt-forming agent and additive may be simultaneously added to the reaction vessel and stirred for 1 to 7 hours. The dye and organic solvent, if desired, may be added either to the reaction vessel during or subsequent to the formation of the rodenticidal salt. In either alternative or in any other feasible method, the components of the composition are stirred between 200 to 80 0 C, preferably for 30 seconds to one day until the resulting composition remains homogeneous. This process may also employ the pre-formed rodenticidal salt.

When the rodenticidal soluble salt is formed in one of the above defined in situ processes, the amount of salt-forming agent employed is between 3-50%, preferably 3-10%, most preferably based on the weight of the total composition.

Especially preferred as the composition of this invention is 0.15 to 5.0 weight percent of a compound of the formula

L,

-24- 70 t6o90 weight percent of the reaction proaduct of an *oleylamine and alkylene oxide; 3 to 50 weight percent of triethanolamine; 2 to 10 weight percent of a -polyalkylene glycol of molecular weight between 100 and 600; and 0.1 to 0.2 weight percent of Rhodamine

B.

While the composition of this invention may be employed in various devices and forms, it is especially adapted for use in a rodent control tubular apparatus. In particular, due to the synergistic effect of the physical properties of the composition, it generally will not leak from the cartridge of such a device when loaded onto the wick and thus the danger of contamination to both non-target species and 15 the environment is eliminated. In such rodent control tubes, the amount of composition added to a single r wick is that amount needed to achieve between 50 to j 90, most preferably 75-90, percent saturation.

1 *Further, the composition of this invention is considered to be child-proof when employed in such apparatus. The composition is considered to be child-proof since accidental ingestion by a 25 kg V child of the composition of this invention from either or both cartridges would not be fatal.

25 The following non-limiting examples are presented to further illustrate the invention and the I advantages thereof.

i Example 1 To a 250 ml beaker was added 6.12 g of -salt-forming agent (triethanolamine) and 6.08 g of solvent (polyethylene glycol 200). A homo-mixer (International Laboratory, Model No. X-1020) was then lowered into the beaker and the mixture was stirred (approximately 30 seconds) until homogeneous. To the resulting blend was added 0.266 g of brodifacoum (technical, 93.89 wt. active ingredient). After stirring with the homo-mixer for approximately minutes, 0.04 g of Rhodamine B was added to the beaker. The mixture was then stirred for approximately 25 minutes until it was homogenized. 87.494 g of additive (N,N-polyoxyethyl(5)oleylamine) was then added and the composition was stirred until homogenous, approximately five minutes. The resulting composition was characterized as follows: Specific Gravity at 25*C 0.9730 20 Vapor Pressure mm Hg at 25°C 2 Boiling Point, *C 42-280 Viscosity (Brookfield LVT, cps), at 25*C, Spindle #2 at 30 rpm 135 25 Flash Point (Seta-Flash, >230° Z Evaporation at 72 hrs., 52% relative humidity (wt. Water Absorption at 72 hrs., 52% R.R. (wt. Z) 9.

'1 I 9 1 99 9 9.

9 *9 *.9 9 9 99 99 9 .9* o 19 *9 9 9 99 oo i 1 -26- -c -e 2 Brodifacoum not present in composition whenthis index was obtained.

Examples 2-9 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated.

The reactants employed and their respective amounts are the same as recited in Example 1 except for the additive component. The properties of the resulting formulations are summarized in Table I.

TABLE I Example No.

2 3 4 6 7 8 9 Additive (87.49 g) Viscosity (cps) Brookfield LVT Spindle #2 at 30 rpm, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 155 385 560 120 775 120 85 131 8.5 1.2 4.0 6.3 Evapora- 1.5 1.0 tion at 50 0

C,

72 hrs., 52% R.H. (wt. 2.5 2.0 1.0 3.0 Water 9.0 2.0 10.0 11.5 3.5 9.0 Absorption at 72 hrs., 52% R.H. (wt. 1. Polyoxyethylene 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol; 2. Sorbitan trioleate;

-I

rr -27- 3. Polyoxyethylene 4" Polyethylene glycol (10)oleate (the reaction product of 1 mole of oleic acid and 10 moles of ethylene oxide; 5. N, N"-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-Ntallow-1,3-propanediamine; 6. Reaction product of 1 mole of Dodecyl mercaptan and 8 moles ethylene oxide; 7. A branched alcohol ethoxylate comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of 2,6,8-trimethylnonanol and 6 moles of ethylene oxide; 8. Reaction Product of 1 mole of tridecyl alcohol and 8 moles of ethylene oxide.

~To a 250 ml beaker was added 6.06 g of g of Example 2 triethanolamine and 6.03 g of polyethylene glycol 20 200. A homo-mixer (International Laboratory, odel No. X-1020) was then lowered into the beaker and the mixture was stirred until homogeneous, approximately seconds. To the resulting blend was added 0.266 g of brodifacoum (technical, 93.89 wt. Z active ingre- 25 dient) and 20.55 g of polyethylene glycol 400. After stirring with the homo-mixer for approximately minutes, 0.04 g of Rhodamine B was added to the beaker. The mixture was stirred until homogeneous (approximately 25 minutes). 67.054 g of pol-yoxy- 30 ethylene (10) nonyl phenol was added to the composition which was then stirred until homogeneous, approximately 5 minutes. The resulting composition was characterized as follows: i i -28- Viscosity (Brookfield LVT, cps), at 25 0

C,

Spindle 12, at 30 rpm: 240 cps.

Evaporation at 50 0 C, 72 hrs., 52% R.H.: 6.8 (wt. Water absorption at 5 0 C, 72 hrs., 52% 11.2 (wt. Example 11 5 male and 5 female wild house mice (Mus musculus) were dusted with an insecticide to control any ectoparasites. Mice were then placed into group enclosures and were given laboratory chow and water ad lib. All mice were held sexes separate for a 15 minimum of 3 weeks to prevent the use of pregnant S. females as well as to acclimate them to captive conditions. The animals were then weighed and toeclipped for future identification prior to introduction into the test enclosure. This enclosure was a 20 plastic laundry tub Plastics Corp. Model No.

143675) which was 22.9 x 15.24 x 7.0 cm. The floor was covered with Bed-O-Cobs animal bedding (The Andersons, Maumee, Ohio) and two nesting boxes (22.9 x 15.24 x 7.0 cm) were placed into the enclosure for the 25 mice to nest in. A single food bowl containing Ground Purina laboratory chow (ad libitum) was placed on top of one of the nesting boxes and a second bowl was filled with water and placed on top of the other box.

All the animals were conditioned to the actual test 30 environment for 3 days prior to the start of the test period with food consumption being monitored daily.

o -29- Following the conditioning period, a mouse tube similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,281,471 was placed along one wall of the enclosure. Each car- -tridge was loaded with 1.25 g of the composition of Example 1. Two Actimeter motion detection devices were fitted into the tube at a point just in front of the wick so that mouse activity within the tube could be monitored. Actimeters, as described by Kaukeinen in "Field Methods for Census Taking of Commercial Rodents in Rodenticide Evaluations," Vertebrate Pest Control and Management Materials: Second Symposium, ASTM STP 680, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1979, pp. 68-83 are infrared sensing devices which measure the combination of heat and body 15 movement. These units have an internal memory and can register up to 9999 counts (activations). Counts are a relative index of activity and do not relate to the total number of passages, Actimeters count activity at a certain point rather than necessarily 20 revealing complete passes through the device. Each of the Actimeters was monitored daily and counts were taken. Food consumption was also monitored daily.

Following the third day of the test, all nesting boxes were searched for dead mice. At death or the end of 25 the 15 day treatment period, all mice were reweighed.

The results tabulated in Tables I II below indicates that the composition of Example 1 has good removal qualities such that sufficient toxicant was removed by the rodents in a relatively short period to -cause mortality. In this trial, 100% of the mice died with an average day of death at 7.1 days.

r

S

S

S..

S.

S

S S a.

S.

w

S.

S

S.

S

S

S

1

I

Animal No. Sex 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

F

F

F

F

F

M

M

M

M

M

AVERAGE

Table 1 Inital Weight 16.5 12.0 20.5 17.3 17.1 14.6 17.5 20.3 15.0 20.9 Th1 Final Weight 15.5 19.1 13.9 12.2 12.3 16.0 13.7 18.3 13.7 16.7 15TT Day of Death 6 6 7 6 7 8 7 6 8 7.1 Table 2

DAY

CONDITIONING

CONSUMPTION -3 -2 -1 1 2 S 22.4 23.2 12.8 26.4 27.: I*AHNETER LEFT 442 196 a.mplJ S RIGHT 465 238

TEST

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 12.6 2.8 12.8 6.9 23.0 0.6 0.0 0.3 165 128 96 45 335 8 0 0 161 123 89 69 339 2 0 0 Example 12-13

S.

a male and 5 female wild house mice (Mus musculus) were dusted with an insecticide to control any ectoparasites. Mice were then placed into group enclosures and were given laboratory chow and water ad lib. All mice were held sexes separate for a minimum of 3 weeks to prevent the use of pregnant females as well as to acclimate them to captive conditions. The animals were then weighed and toeclipped for future identification prior to .J n lJl..Hnl lll I -31o, introduction into the test enclosure. Thi-s--enclosure was a plastic laundry tub Plastics Corp. Model No. 143675) which was 22.9 x 15.24 x 7.0 cm. The floor was covered with Bed-O-Cobs animal bedding (The Andersons, Maumee, Ohio) and two nesting boxes (22.9 x 15.24 x 7.0 cm) were placed into the enclosure for the mice to nest in. A single food bowl containing Ground Purina laboratory chow (ad libitum) was placed on top of one of the nesting boxes and a second bowl was filled with water and placed on top of the other box.

All the animals were conditioned to the actual test environment for 3 days prior to the start of the test period with food consumption being monitored daily.

Following the conditioning period, a mouse tube similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,281,471 I was placed along one wall of the enclosure. The cartridge was loaded with 1.25 g of the formulation. To the top of the cartridge was placed a 20 mesh screen with 0.02 diameter. The tubes were removed after the 20 fourth day of the test. At death or at the end of the thirteenth d, a body count was made. The results are tabulated in Table II.

TABLE II- Formu- T B Average lation Mortality Mortality Range of Day of Employed Male Female Death (Days) Death Ex. 9 60 80 7-11 9 Ex. 10 100 80 6-13 8 m• j _i -32- Example 14 5 Male and 5 female wild house mice (Mus musculus) were placed in separate cages for a period of five days. A food bowl containing Ground Purina laboratory chow and a water bowl was placed in each I rage. Each mouse was permitted to pass through a mouse tube similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,281,471 five times per day. The cartridge of the tube was loaded with 1.25 g of the formulation of I Example 10. The mean date of death was 6.8 days 1.6 days. 100% mortality occurred by day i a a r i II

Claims (2)

1. 55.5 S S 55 S S S -33 a- -V -c -34- a compound of the formula wherein R is hydrogen, phenyl, halophenyl, dihalophenyl, nitrophenyl, methoxyphenyl, tolyl, methylene dioxyphenyl. or furyl, Ris methyl, phenyl, halophenyl, nitrophenyl, diphenyl, halodiphenyl, nitro- diphenyl. and naphthyl. radipals, and 15 R2is hydrogen or a halogen; a compound of the formula Z. 20 OHi 0 wherein Z represents a chlorine atom, n is 0, 1 or 2, and R 4represents *e *c ~~1 in which Hal is a fluorine or chlorine atom and n is 0 or 1, X is a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom or a -CN, -CF 3 or -OCF 3 group and D represents -OCI1 2 or -(CHl2)m-l where m is 2 to 3; a compound selected from 1,1-di- phenyl-2-acetyl-l, 3-indandione, and (1'-para- chlorophenyl-l'-phenyl)-2-acetyl-l, 3-indan- dione; ME monofluoroacetic acid; and a compounrd of the formula N0 2 R 2 R 3 C F3 R 5 R 4 wherein R represents methyl, ethyl or propyl; Rrepresents hydrogen, fluoro, chioro, bromo, iodo, cyano, methyl, nitro-or tri- fluoromethyl; Rand R 5 independently represent hydrogen, fluoro, chioro, bromo, nitro, a a. a. a a a a a. a '4 a. -1 -36- methyl or trifluoromethyl, provided that no 2 5 more than one of R and R represents nitro; 3 4 R and R independently represent hydrogen, methyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo or trifluoromethyl; provided that 1 2 3 4 no more than one of R R R R 5 3 and R represents methyl, except that R and R may both represent methyl; when R I R 2 R 3 R or R 5 repre- sents methyl or fluoro, two or three of R, 2 5 R and R represent chloro or bromo; 1 2 3 4 no more than one of R R R R and R 5 represents trifluoromethyl, except that R 3 and R may both represent trifluoromethyl; 2 S. when R or R represents tri- S* I i fluoromethyl, R represents chloro or bromo; 3 4 when one and only one of R and R i: represents trifluoromethyl, two or three of 1 2 5 20 R R and R represent chloro or bromo; 1 2 3 S(f) no more than four of R R 2 R 3 4 5 R and R represent hydrogen; two fluorine atoms are not adja- cent to each other; 25 when R or R represents notro, R represents chloro, bromo or nitro; 1 2 3 4 5 when R 1 R 2 R 3 R and R repre- U 1 2 3 sents trifluoromethyl, none of R R R 4 5 R and R 5 represents fluoro or methyl; or 30 a salt of either compound or formed by reacting I i I -37- C 9 9. *9. 9 the same with a salt-forming agent selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal or hydroxide thereof; ammonia or ammonium hydroxide; an alkanolamine of the formula N[(CnH 2 n) yOH] (H) z wherein n=l to 6, x and y are independently 1 to 3, z is 0 to 2 and further wherein x+z=3; and amine of the formula R 2 R OR OH wherein R 1 and R are independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or iso-propyl; R and R are independently -CH 2 -CH 2 CH 2 -CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH3 and -JCHCH 2 and p is either 0 or 1; and (II) between 70 and 90 weight percent of at least one additive which will absorb less than fifteen percent moisture when exposed to 55% humidity at 5 0 C in a 3 inch diameter open petri dish for 72 hours; undergo less than five per cent weight loss when exposed to 55% humidity at 50*C for 72 hours in a 3 inch diameter open petri dish; have a viscosity less than 800 centepoise (cps) at 25"C; and S a r -38- is selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyalkylated alkyl phenol comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of a phenol containing one or more C 4 to C 1 2 alkyl groups and between 1 and 12.5 moles of alkylene oxide; (ii) a sorbitan fatty acid comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of sorbitan and between 1 and 3 moles of at least one C 8 to C 16 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid; (iii) polyoxyalkylated sorbitan fatty acid ester comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of a sorbitan fatty acid and between 1 and 12.5 moles of alkylene oxide; S. (iv) polyoxyalkylated fatty amine comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of a C 12 to C 18 fatty amine and between 1 and 16 moles of alkylene oxide; 20 polyoxyalkylated branched or "linear alcohol comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of a C 1 0 to C 1 5 alcohol and between 1 and 15 moles of alkylene oxide; 25 (vi) polyoxyalkylated branched or linear mercaptan comprising the reaction S product of 1 mole of a mercaptan of the S" formula RSH, wherein R is a C 7 to C 3 0 saturated alkyl group and between 1 and 16 moles of alkylene oxide; (vii) polyoxyalkylated ester of the formula 0 11 ~R-C0 (C 2 CH 2 0)xR' wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated ali- phatic or acyclic C 10 C 22 group, Rlis or *and to 0 X is between one and eighteen; and (viii) polyoxyalkylated polyamine selected from the group consisting of H A R-N-.(CH 2 3 N-A 20 A A R.-N-(CH 2 3 -N-H- 'A A 25 c 2 3 -N-A where in R is a C 1 2 to C 1 8 saturated alkyl a.group; A is independently selected from (CH CH CH 0)x H and (CH CH O)X wherioin X is between 1 and 14 and further whe-ein the sum of all X's in any one compound is not *greater than rx~i 4 U II Ii a 2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said composition has a vapor pressure between 0.001-20 mm Hg at 0 C; a viscosity (Brookfield LVT cps at 25 0 C) between 5-800; and a flash point (seta-flash) greater than 100 0 F. 3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rodenticide of is of the formula S S S *SSS *5 30 S wherein X is either hydrogen or bromine. 4. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein in the rodenticide of R is -C 6 H 5 R 1 is Br, and R 2 is hydrogen. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein in the rodenticide of (III) n is 0, D is -OCH 2 and X is -CF 3 6. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein in the 1 2 5 rodenticide of (IV) R is -CH 3 R R and R are 3 4 -Br; and R and R are hydrogen. 7. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polyoxyalkylated branched or linear alcohol is the reaction product of either tridecyl alcohol or 2,6,8- trimethylnonanol and alkylene oxide. 8. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said S Ir: L- r i l t IJ a VJJ. 1 L Ly, L. J L.LLJ.b t LLL .UU U.k LLl~ L VA,1 an average day of death at 7.1 days. r i c~r; i i::r i :I i~ .i sorbitan fatty acid is sorbitan trioleate. 9. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said C 12 to C 1 8 fatty amine is oleylamine. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 which further comprises between 2 and 50 percent by weight of a polyalkylene polyol with molecular weight between 100 and 600. 11. A composition as claimed in claim 10 wherein said polyol is either polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol. 12. A composition as claimed in claim 11 wherein said polyol is polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of
2. 200. 13. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 further comprising a dye selected from the group consisting of fluorescein and xanthenes. 14. A composition as claimed in claim 13 wherein said dye is Rhodamine B. A composition as claimed in claim 1 which U U C. C r C...0 CC. U. U C C C *C -41- I -42- -7t 90 mion of Claimprlwhcah_ comprises 0.15 to 5.0 weight percent of a compound of the formula 10 OA to 90 weight percent of the reaction product of an oleylamine and alkylene oxide; 3 to 50 weight percent of triethanolamine; 2 to 10 weight percent of a polyalkylene glycol of molecular weight between 100 S" and 600; and 0.1 to 0.2 wt. percent of Rhodamine B. 16. A method of killing rodents which 20 comprises loading the wick of a rodent control appara- tus with a toxic liquid composition and placing the loaded apparatus in a pathway frequented by rodents, whereby subsequent to the rodent passing through the apparatus and ingesting the composition during groom- 25 ing the rodent dies, wherein the composition com- 4 prises: a rodenticidally effective amount of e at least one rodenticide selected from the group consisting of S S OS S S S a compound of the formula S 3 H 'i k R 2 1i 0 R wherein 1 2 R and R are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, a C -C 6 alkyl and a C -C alkoxy group; g *6 R is an aryl group having the formula S R where n is 1 or 2, and 4 each R is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, a C 2 -C 12 alkyl, a C2-C12 alkoxy group, cyclohexyl, benzyl, phenyl, halogenophenyl, phenoxy and halogenophenoxy provided that R 3 contains not more than 3 halogen atoms; a compound of the formula C OH R H CH CH 2 C R (II) H 2 iOH Q• o A -43- 14 -44- wherein R is hydrogen, phenyl, haloph~nyl, dihalophenyl, nitrophenyl, methoxyphenyl, tolyl, miethylene dioxyphenyl or furyl, Ris methyl, phenyl, halophenyl, nitrophenyl, diphei'yl, halodiphenyl, nitro- diphenyl and naphthyl radicals, and Ris hydrogen or a halogen; a compound of the for-mula ~Z (III) 9. 9 9 9 99 9 9 9** B eq* 99 9 9 *999 99 9 9 9999 wherein Z represents a chlorine atom, n is 0, 1 or 2, and R 4 represents H31, 99 9.. 99 99 9 9 9 9. 9 999 9 9 9 99 ,I A f in which Hal is a fluorine or chlorine atom and n is 0 or 1, X is a fluorine, clilorine or bromine atom or a -CN, -CF 3 or -OCF 3 group and D represents -OCR 2 or -C where mis 2 to 3; a compound selected from 1,1- diphenyl-2-acctyl-1 ,3-indandione, and (1t -parachlorophenyl-1' -phenyl) -2-acetyl-1, 3 -indandione; inonofluoroacetic acid; and a compound of the formula 99 9 9 9 9 *99~ 9**9 @9 9 9 9.9. *9 9 K 9. 9 999 9. 9 9 99 N0 2 R 2 R 3 02NO N_ a RI CF3 R 5 R 4 (IV) wherein R represents methyl, ethyl or propyl; R 1 represents hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, methyl, nitro or tri- fluoromethyl; Rand R 5 independently represent hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro, methyl or trifluoromethyl, provided that no more than one of R 2and R 5represents nitro; Rand R 4 independently represent hydrogen, methyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo or trifluoroniethyl; provided that 99 9 9 9. 99 .9 99 99. 9. 9 9 9 9. r1 1- i i -46- 4 4 9 1 2 3 A no more than one of R R R R 5 3 and R represents methyl, except that R and R may both represent methyl; when R 1 R 2 R 3 R or R 5 repre- sents methyl or fluoro, two or three of R I 2 R 2 and R5 represent chloro or bromo; 1 2 3 4 no more than one of R R R R and R 5 represents trifluoromethyl, except that R 3 and R may both represent trifluoro- methyl; when R 2 or R 5 represents tri- fluoromethyl, R 1 represents chloro or bromo; when one and only one of R 3 and R represents trifluoromethyl, two or three of R R and R represent chloro or bromo; no more than four of R 1 R 2 R 3 4 r R and R 5 represent hydrogen; two fluorine atoms are not adja- cent to each other; when R or R 5 represents nitro, R represents chloro, bromo or nitro; when R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 and R 5 repre- sents trifluoromethyl, none of R 1 R 2 R R and R 5 represents fluoro or methyl; or a salt of either compound or formed by reacting the same with a salt-forming agent selected from: an alkali metal or hydroxide thereof; (ii) ammonia or ammonium hydroxide; (iii) an alkanolamine of the formula NI(CnH2n)yOHx (H)z wherein n=l to 4. S S. S. S 5 -47- 6, x and y are independently 1 to 3, z is 0 to 2 and further wherein x+z=3; and (iv) amine of the formula R 2 R -N-R 4 -OR OH wherein R and R are independently hydro- gen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or iso-propyl; R 3 and R are independently -CH 2 -CH 2 CH 2 -CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH and CHCH 2 and p is either 0 or 1; and (II) between 70 and 90% weight percent of at least one additive selected from the group consist- ing of a polyoxyalkylated alkyl phenol 20 comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of a phenol containing one or more C 4 to C 1 2 alkyl groups and between 1 and 12.5 moles of alkylene oxide; (ii) sorbitan fatty acid comprising 25 the reaction product of 1 mole of sorbitan -and between 1 and 3 moles of at least one C 8 to C 1 6 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid; (iii) polyoxyalkylated sorbitan fatty acid ester comprising the reaction product -48- of 1 mole of a sorbitan fatty acid and between 1 and 12.5 moles of alkylene oxide; (iv) polyoxyalkylated fatty amine comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of a C 1 2 to C 1 8 fatty amine and between 1 and 16 moles of alkylene oxide; polyoxyalkylated branched or linear alcohol comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of a C 10 to C 1 5 alcohol and between 1 and 15 moles of alkylene oxide; (vi) polyoxyalkylated branched or linear mercaptan comprising the reaction product of 1 mole of a mercaptan of the formula RSH, wherein R is a C 7 to C 3 0 saturated alkyl group and between 1 and 16 moles of alkylene oxide; (vii) polyoxyalkylated ester of the formula 20 0 1 R-C-0(CH CH 0) R 2 2 X wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated ali- phatic or acyclic C 1 0 -C 2 2 group, 1 R 1 is -H or and 30 0 X is between one and eighteen; and (viii) polyoxyalkylated polyamine selected from the group consisting'of a A H A R-1N-(CH )-N-A A A a R-N-(CH -N-H A A R-N-(CH 2 3 -N-A wherein R is a C 12 to C 18 saturated alkyl group; A is independently selected from (CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 o0) xH and (CH 2 CH 2 0) xH wherein X is between 1 and 14 and further wherein the sum of all X's in any one compound is not greater than 17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said *composition further comprises between 2 and 50.0 percent by weight of a polyalkylene polyol with molecular weight between 100 and 600. 18. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the 0 0 rodenticide of is of the formula x go. 0 Se S U -1$ 39 -49- I--i i-1 i wherein X is either hydrogen or bromine. 19. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein in the 1 rodenticide of R is -C 6 H 5 R is Br, and R 2 is hydrogen. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein in the rodenticide of (III), n is 0, D is -OCH2-, and X is -CF 3 21. A composition as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. 22. A method as claimed in claim 16 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. DATED: 19 December 1989. PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: 20 ICI AMERICAS INC. h O l C. p S S. S S S S S S SS 55 S i ir Y 3ii;i O S. 4 S S L