DE202023001193U1 - Soaps containing fatty acids, in the insecticide formulation with natural diatomaceous earth, significantly increase the effectiveness of the physical action of diatomaceous earth against arthropods - Google Patents

Abstract

A natural insecticide based on diatomaceous earth against the infestation of arthropods - fleas, mites, ants and lice. A formulation of diatomaceous earth and soaps of fatty acids

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

1. 1. A natural insecticide based on diatomaceous earth against infestations (fleas, mites, ants and lice) with a formulation of diatomaceous earth with soaps of fatty acids, either synthetic or natural fatty acids from vegetable oil extracts.
2. 2. The addition of 2 to 20% fatty acid soaps to the insecticide formulation increases the effectiveness of the physical action of diatomaceous earth when applied in an aqueous suspension.
3. 3. The fatty acid soaps in the formulation make the aqueous suspension (1:10 solution) more effective against the arthropods - as the soaps allow the suspension to flow better in the corners and cracks. This means that the diatomaceous earth in the formulation can reach the arthropods in their hiding places and initiate their physical action.

BACKGROUND

Controlling the spread of insects typically involves the use of insecticides, generally applied in areas where the insects are likely to infest or promote growth, or in those areas where it is desirable to prevent insects . Insecticides have wide applicability and are widely used in industrial, residential, domestic, commercial and agricultural areas.

Diatomaceous earth has long been known as a good pest control agent against arthropods such as fleas, mites, ants and lice.

Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that can be crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size of more than 3 µm to less than 1 mm, but typically 5 to 50 µm. Depending on the grain size, this powder can feel abrasive and has a low density due to its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of oven-dried diatomaceous earth is 80-90% silica, with 2-4% aluminum oxide (primarily attributed to clay minerals) and 0.5-2% iron oxide. Diatomaceous earth consists of the fossilized remains of diatoms, hard-shelled microalgae.

Diatomaceous earth is primarily used as an insecticide in dry, powered form. In this dry dust application, the concentration of the kieselguhr powder used is high. The EU authority has evaluated and approved the use of diatomaceous earth powder at 50 grams/m ² in 3 treatments in 28 days, i.e. 150 grams/m ² . However, during a dust application, the dry powdery particles can cause dust to be inhaled. Inhaling these dust particles can be dangerous for humans and animals. The EU Commission (ECHA assessment, with the competent authority France) (ECHA BPC opinion on diatomaceous earth - page 7 https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/f87cbe06-0319- 4286-8dc8-0e2b90d69f43, ECHA France CA Assessment of diatomaceous earth - pages 24-25 https://dissemination.echa.europa.eu/Biocides/ActiveSubstances/1377-18/1377-18 Assessment Report.pdf) found in 2016 that powder dusting of diatomaceous earth for the treatment of arthropods leads to a poses unacceptable health risks when inhaled, both in professional and non-professional use. Even wearing a dust mask (e.g. RPE APF40) does not eliminate this risk of inhaling dust.

In recent years, various companies have begun to introduce the use of diatomaceous earth in a water suspension. Different concentrations of diatomaceous earth suspension in water are used, ranging from 10% to 25%. Here, the concentrations of diatomaceous earth used to treat arthropods are significantly reduced compared to a dry powder dusting method. A use of only 5-10 grams/m ² with a suspension of 10% kieselguhr in water (Sikma D Vertriebs GmbH & Co KG - utility model DE 20 2019 001 114 U1 , August 2019) should be sufficient to combat mites. This can be achieved by diatomaceous earth powder that has been finely ground (with an average grain size of less than 15 µm and a high percentage of less than 10 µm). Even finely ground material can be mixed with the feed quality diatomaceous earth mineral (E551 diatomaceous earth)(Sikma D Vertriebs GmbH & Co KG - utility model DE 20 2014 006 695 U1 , April 16, 2015) for the treatment of arthropods. The aqueous suspension is sprayed onto the surface of the chicken coops and furnishings (walls, floors and bars). The preventative use of kieselguhr as a suspension in the recommended amount (5-10 grams/m ² ) avoids the health hazard (for users and animals) caused by fine dust. The addition of soaps made from fatty acids of vegetable oils further enables this low concentration of diatomaceous earth to be sufficient and effective. After the liquid evaporates, a thin film of kieselguhr/diatomaceous earth remains on the surface. The dried diatomaceous earth can now develop its physical effect against the arthropods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

a) How the active ingredient diatomaceous earth works on insects:

The formulation described in the subject matter of the invention contains the active ingredient diatomaceous earth and soaps made from fatty acids of vegetable oils. These oils enhance the physical effect of diatomaceous earth against arthropods. This means that even a small amount of diatomaceous earth (5-10 grams/m ² ) is sufficient for an effective effect.

The powder formulation with diatomaceous earth and soaps is dissolved in water in a ratio of 1:10. This suspension is applied to the entire surface of the coop (e.g. chicken coop walls and floor, as well as the coop equipment). After some time, the water evaporates and a thin white film of the diatom mineral remains on the surfaces.

1. 1. Aktion durch Kontakt: Diese Wirkungsweise beginnt, sobald die Insekten mit der Kieselgur in Kontakt kommen. Wenn sich die Insekten über die Kieselgur bewegen, werden sie mit diesem inerten Mineral bestäubt. Die ersten Abriebvorgänge der äußeren Schicht der Insekten durch das inerte Mineral Kieselgur beginnen.
2. 2. Austrocknunqswirkung: Die scharfen Kanten des natürlichen Kieselgurs schneiden in die Chitinschicht der Insekten/Arthropoden. Die Chitinschicht der Insekten/Arthropoden hält ihren Wasserhaushalt unter Kontrolle. Schädigt diese Chitinschicht, schwächt diese Schutzschicht, verlieren die Insekten ihre Feuchtigkeit und sie trocknen aus. Die Insekten/Arthropoden sterben innerhalb kurzer Zeit ab.

Diatomaceous earth, a natural inert mineral, as a purely mechanical/physical insecticide. How diatomaceous earth works on insects:

1. 1. Action through contact: This mode of action begins as soon as the insects come into contact with the diatomaceous earth. As the insects move over the diatomaceous earth, they are dusted with this inert mineral. The first abrasion of the insects' outer layer by the inert mineral diatomaceous earth begins.
2. 2. Drying effect: The sharp edges of the natural diatomaceous earth cut into the chitin layer of the insects/arthropods. The chitin layer of insects/arthropods keeps their water balance under control. If this chitin layer is damaged, this protective layer is weakened, the insects lose their moisture and they dry out. The insects/arthropods die within a short time.

The physical-mechanical mechanisms only begin when the arthropods come into contact with the inert kieselguhr mineral. Any additional ingredient in the formulation that allows the diatomaceous earth to reach the arthropods faster and better can increase the effectiveness of the insecticidal action (cutting the cuticle of the arthropods, after which these insects lose their moisture and die from desiccation)

The addition of soaps in the diatomaceous earth formulation makes it possible to maximize the effectiveness of the physically acting insecticide. The powder formulation can consist of diatomaceous earth in a concentration of 80% to 98% and the soap concentration of 2% to 20%. This formulated powder (containing at least these two ingredients) is dissolved in water (mixture 1:10) and the suspension is sprayed onto the surface, chicken coop walls and coop facilities.

b) Soaps in the product formulation reduce the surface tension of the aqueous insecticide suspension and enable faster reach of the arthropods.

The term surface tension is defined as the thin layer of force that holds water molecules together on the top surface. This bond between the water molecules exists due to the polarity of the two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen.

Fig. 1: Surface tension: diagram of the cohesive forces on water molecules

One of the best ways to break this protective layer in water is to use and apply soap or any type of detergent.

The long nonpolar hydrophobic (water-hating) chain end of the soap seeks the air at the water-air interface, and the ionic hydrophylic (water-loving) head end forms ionic dipole bonds with the water.

Fig. 2: A soap molecule - hydrophobic and hydrophilic group ends

As they move on the surface, the soap molecules push the water molecules apart so that the water molecules no longer have hydrogen bonds with each other and the surface tension is weakened

Fig. 3: Soap molecules push the water molecules apart

Spraying an aqueous suspension of diatomaceous earth allows a thin layer of diatomaceous earth to be formed and to reach a large surface area.

Soaps and detergents affect the viscosity of water in many ways. These geometric patterns of soap molecules in water determine much of the solution's physical properties, including viscosity. Patterns that flow easily, like small spheres, enable solutions that flow easily.

The addition of soaps in the insecticide formulation lowers the surface tension of the water suspension so that it flows more freely and covers the entire surface. For example, insecticides can be added to soaps to ensure that the substance spreads completely over the entire surface, rather than just a small portion of the area. This allows the insecticide to better reach the corners and cracks where mites hide. In this way, the physical interaction with the insecticide's arthropods can be maximized.

Fig. 4: Spread of the suspension on the surface during spraying

Without adding the soap, the sprayed aqueous suspension tends to form droplets on the surface. By adding soaps to the formulation, the droplets are flattened and a larger surface area is wetted by the suspension.

The aqueous suspension is sprayed onto the surface. The flow of the suspension carries the finely ground diatomaceous earth particles. After the water has evaporated, the diatomaceous earth particles remain on the surface as a thin white film. By adding soap to the formulation, the suspension is distributed more widely over the surface. With the soap of fatty acids in the formula, the suspension carries the diatom particles over a larger surface area, allowing it to better reach corners and cracks. These nooks and crannies are the hiding places of arthropods.

Fig. 5: Flowability of the suspension with the addition of soap, transports the DE particles to a larger surface

Soaps made from fatty acids with hydrophobic chain lengths in the range of C8 to C18, preferably C8 to C12, can be used. These fatty acids can either be natural - from vegetable oils - or chemically produced.

If soaps made from natural fatty acids, vegetable oil extracts, are used in the formulation, the insecticide made from natural amorphous diatomaceous earth with natural fatty acid soaps makes the insecticide the ideal insecticide for use in agriculture and, in particular, also approved for use in organic farming.

c) Insecticide formulation containing diatomaceous earth and soaps.

When making this insecticide formulation, the liquid soaps (fatty acids) are sprayed onto the inert diatom mineral powder particles. This “spray dry mixing” can take several minutes, usually around 10-15 minutes.

The overall appearance of the final insecticide (mixed formulation) maintains a “powder appearance” product. When the final powder formulation is suspended in water, the soap properties can develop. The soaps disperse the aqueous suspension by breaking the surface tension of the aqueous droplets, and the insecticide product can reach the corners and cracks in the stalls. This means that the insecticide can act much more quickly against arthropods, as the suspension with diatomaceous earth can now optimally reach the arthropods in their hiding places.

In another example, the insecticidal formulation may be provided as a suspension in which all or a portion of the diatomaceous earth particles are suspended in the liquid along with the soaps. The diatomaceous earth particles can be used for a certain period of time, e.g. B. remain in suspense for a few minutes. Preparation of the insecticide suspension for surface treatment (spraying the liquid suspension formulation) may include stirring prior to application.

In some cases, the insecticidal formulation of diatomaceous earth with soaps can be manufactured in a manufacturing facility and transported to the end user as a liquid product. The end user may be an insect controller or other user who wants to control the spread of insects. Thus, the end user can obtain the insecticide formulation in a form that is substantially ready for use. Alternatively, the components of the insecticide formulation can be mixed by the end user.

Explanations drawings:

1)

Hydrophobe Gruppe (Wasser-abstoßende Kette)

2)

Ionisches End

3)

Lange Kohlenwasserstoffkette

4)

Hydrophyle Gruppe (Wasser-liebende Kopf)

5)

Na+ oder K+ Salze

4:

1)

Ohne Seife

2)

Mit Seife

5:

1

) Ein Tropfen der Suspension versprüht auf eine Fläche

2)

Die Suspension (mit zugesetzte Seife) fängt an zu fließen, und trägt die Diatomeenerde Partikeln mit

3)

Die Seifen in der Formulierung lassen die Suspension besser fließen, und verteilen die Diatomeenerde Partikeln weiter auf die Fläche

2 :

1)

Hydrophobic group (water-repellent chain)

2)

Ionic ending

3)

Long hydrocarbon chain

4)

Hydrophylic group (water-loving head)

5)

Na+ or K+ salts

4 :

1)

Without soap

2)

With soap

5 :

1

) A drop of the suspension sprays onto a surface

2)

The suspension (with added soap) begins to flow, carrying the diatomaceous earth particles with it

3)

The soaps in the formulation allow the suspension to flow better and distribute the diatomaceous earth particles further over the surface

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202019001114 U1 [0005]
• DE 202014006695 U1 [0005]

Claims (5)

A natural insecticide based on diatomaceous earth against the infestation of arthropods - fleas, mites, ants and lice. A formulation of diatomaceous earth and soaps of fatty acids The soaps in this formulation contain either synthetic or natural fatty acids from vegetable oil extracts The addition of soaps made from fatty acids to the insecticide formulation when applied in an aqueous suspension to increase the physical effectiveness. The addition of soaps made from natural or synthetic fatty acids to the insecticide formulation, with chain length C8 to C18, preferably C8 to C12 The addition of soaps made from fatty acids to the insecticide formulation, at a concentration of 2% to 20%.