EP0845945A1

EP0845945A1 - Composition having an insecticidal effect

Info

Publication number: EP0845945A1
Application number: EP96927685A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Klaus Mrusek; Manfred-Heinrich Schütte; Susanne Schult; Reinhold LÖHR
Original assignee: Bayer AG
Current assignee: Bayer AG
Priority date: 1995-08-16
Filing date: 1996-08-05
Publication date: 1998-06-10
Also published as: DE19530076A1; ZA966916B; AU6742396A; SV1996000069A; WO1997006688A1; CN1198658A; BR9609903A; AR004182A1; JPH11511151A; MX9801247A; TR199800230T2

Abstract

The present invention concerns a novel composition which is based solely on transfluthrin, has an insecticidal effect and is characterized in that it has an exceptional effect against flying insects, a good knockdown effect, a good expelling effect and a long-lasting residual effect against crawling insects and arachnids since the active substance is microencapsulated.

Description

Insecticidal composition

The present invention relates to a new composition based solely on transfluthrin with an insecticidal action, characterized in that it has an excellent action against flying insects, a good knockdown effect, high expulsion effect and a long-lasting residual action against creeping insects and arachnids by microencapsulating the active ingredient becomes.

Combinations of insecticides are usually used to successfully control insects and arachnids indoors. Different classes of insecticides are usually combined with one another (W. Behrenz and K. Naumann, crop protection news Bayer, 35, 309 (1982)).

In order to obtain an "expulsion effect" and immediate effect ("knockdown effect") as well as long-term effect ("residual effect") against insects, mixtures of phosphoric acid esters, carbamates and long-term stable ones have so far been used

Pyrethroids used (C. Fest, K.-J. Schmidt, The Chemistry of Organophosphorus Pesticides, Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1982), W. Behrenz, E. Boecker, Plant Protection News Bayer, 18, 53 (1965), I Hammann, R. Fuchs, ibid. 34, 123 (1981) and literature cited therein).

The object of the present invention was to refrain from combinations of insecticides and to restrict oneself to one active substance, the above-mentioned conditions being met.

In the present invention, a composition is now described which is characterized in that it contains only one active ingredient and has an excellent action against flying insects, a good knock-down action with expulsion effect and residual action against creeping insects and against arachnids.

Transfluthrin of the formula V

is in various formulations suitable for aerosol, vaporizer and smoking applications, an excellent active ingredient for combating hygiene, material and storage pests. It can be effective against normally sensitive and resistant species as well as against all or individual stages of development.

The pests mentioned above include:

From the order of the Isopoda e.g. Oniscus asellus, Armadillidium vulgäre, Porcellio scaber.

From the order of the Diplopoda e.g. Blaniulus guttulatus.

From the order of the Chilopoda e.g. Geophilus carpophagus, Scutigera spec.

From the order of the Symphyla e.g. Scutigerella immaculata.

From the order of the Thysanura e.g. Lepisma saccharina.

From the order of the Collembola e.g. Onychiurus armatus.

From the order of the Orthoptera e.g. Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Leucophaea maderae, Blattella germanica, Acheta domesticus, Gryllotalpa spp.,

Locusta migratoria migratorioides, Melanoplus differentialis, Schistocerca gregaria.

From the order of the Dermaptera e.g. Forficula auricularia.

From the order of the Isoptera e.g. Reticulitermes spp ..

From the order of the anoplura, for example Pediculus humanus corporis, Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp .. From the order of the Mallophaga, for example Trichodectes spp., Damalinea spp ..

From the order of the Thysanoptera e.g. Hercinothrips femoralis, Thrips tabaci.

From the order of the Heteroptera e.g. Eurygaster spp., Dysdercus intermedius, Piesma quadrata, Cimex lectularius, Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma spp ..

From the order of the Homoptera e.g. Aleurodes brassicae, Bemisia tabaci,

Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cryptomyzus ribis, Aphis fabae, Aphis pomi, Eriosoma lanigerum, Hyalopterus arundinis, Phylloxera vastatrix, Pemphigus spp., Macrosiphum avenae, Myzus spp., Phoropalisumum , Nephotettix cincticeps, Lecanium corni, Saissetia oleae, Laodelphax striatellus, Nilaparvata lugens, Aonidiella aurantii, Aspidiotus hederae, Pseudococcus spp., Psylla spp ..

From the order of the Lepidoptera e.g. Pectinophora gossypiella, Bupalus piniarius, Cheimatobia brumata, Lithocolletis blancardella, Hyponomeuta padella, Plutella maculipennis, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Lymantria spp., Bucculatrix thurberiisisppia, Fpp., Phyllocnist spp., Spodoptera exigua, Mamestra brassicae, Panolis flammea, Spodoptera litura, Spodoptera spp., Trichoplusia ni, Carpocapsa pomonella, Pieris spp., Chilo spp., Pyrausta nubilalis, Ephestia kuehniella, Galleria mellonelliellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaellaella , Cacoecia podana, Capua reticulana, Choristoneura fumiferana, Clysia ambiguella,

Homona magnanima, Tortrix viridana.

From the order of the Coleoptera e.g. Anobium punctatum, Rhizopertha dominica, Bruchidius obtectus, Acanthoscelides obtectus, Hylotrupes bajulus, Agelastica alni, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Phaedon cochleariae, Diabrotica spp., Psylliodes chrysocephala, Orilamaria varispp.

Anthonomus spp., Sitophilus spp., Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, Cosmopolites sordidus, Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Hypera postica, Dermestes spp., Trogoderma spp., Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp., Lyctus spp., Meliginusus seneus. Gibbium psylloides, Tribolium spp., Tenebrio molitor, Agriotes spp., Conoderus spp., Melolontha melolontha, Amphimallon solstitialis, Costelytra zealandica. ~ ".,"",", PCT / EP96 / 03454 O 97/06688

From the order of the Hymenoptera e.g. Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Vespa spp ..

From the order of the Diptera e.g. Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Culex spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Musca spp., Fannia spp., Calliphora erythrocephala, 5 Lucilia spp., Chrysomyia spp., Cuterebra spp., Gastrophilus spp., Hyppobosca spp.,

Stomoxys spp., Oestrus spp., Hypoderma spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp., Bibio hortulanus, Oscinella frit, Phorbia spp., Pegomyia hyoscyami, Ceratitis capitata, Dacus oleae, Tipula paludosa.

From the order of the Siphonaptera e.g. Xenopsylla cheopis, Ctenocephalides felis, 0 Ceratophyllus spp ..

From the order of the Arachnida e.g. Scorpio maurus, Latrodectus mactans.

From the order of the Acarina e.g. Acarus siro, Argas spp., Ornithodoros spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Eriophyes ribis, Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Boophilus spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Psoroptes 5 spp., Ch spp., Tarsonemus spp., Bryobia praetiosa,

Panonychus spp., Tetranychus spp ..

The composition according to the invention is preferred against flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, moths but also against creeping, hidden vermin, such as e.g. Scraping or fleas applied at all stages of development. 0 These are driven out of their hiding places (flushing effect) so that they come into contact with the freshly created active substance coverings and are killed. If the cockroaches or fleas are sprayed directly, they quickly fall on their back (knockdown) and cannot recover (mortality). To achieve such an effect, transfluthrin can be used in many different ways

25 formulations such as in spray cans, as an oil spray, water-based

Pump spray as well as ULV, hot and cold mist can be used. Furthermore, formulations such as Emulsion concentrates (EC), water-based emulsion concentrates (EW) or wettable powders (WP).

In addition to the effects described, transfluthrin may be due to its

30 physical and biological properties also as a preparation with a short

Long-term action to control crawling insects, preferably cockroaches or fleas are used. Depending on the amount of expenditure, a short lasting effect means a duration of action of a few days (<1 week). When used as a residual active ingredient, the preparation also works against all larval stages and adult animals of cockroaches and fleas.

By microencapsulating transfluthrin in e.g. However, polyurea capsules can be obtained from the active ingredient with a short lasting effect, through the control system of the microcapsule, a metered release of active ingredient. With the help of this system, a product with a long-term effect can be made from a short-term drug.

The non-microencapsulated portion can be EC, EW or undiluted

Liquid (AL) must be formulated.

Through the use of transfluthrin in a free portion, e.g. formulated as EW and a microencapsulated CS component (CS = microencapsulation), e.g. produce a water-based aerosol with only one active ingredient that has an excellent effect against flying insects, as well as a good one

Knockdown effect, a good expulsion effect and a high residual effect against creeping insects.

The ratio between the encapsulated CS active ingredient and the free EW portion can be varied in different proportions depending on the effectiveness. In general, CS: EW ratios of 100 parts CS: 0.1 are used

Part EW to 0.1 part CS: 100 parts EW. The ratio of 10 parts of CS: 0.1 part of EW to 0.1 part of CS: 10 parts of EW is preferably used. A ratio of 1 part CS: 10 parts EW to 10 parts CS: 1 part EW is particularly preferred.

The active substance content of those prepared from the commercially available formulations

Application forms can vary widely. The active ingredient concentration of the use forms can be from 0.0000001 to 95% by weight of active ingredient, preferably between 0.0001 and 1% by weight. Transfluthrin microcapsules

The transfluthrin microcapsules are produced using the interfacial polymerization process. The microcapsule wall consists e.g. made of a polyurea material. The capsule wall is formed from a polyisocyanate and a polyfunctional amine at the interface between the organic phase and the aqueous phase. The polyisocyanate can be aromatic or aliphatic. It should be at least bifunctional, but can also contain more isocyanate groups. Polyisocyanates for microencapsulation are e.g. Toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, phenylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate and 1,6-hexane diisocyanate. Multifunctional amines should also be at least bifunctional, e.g. Ethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, phenyl endiamine, diethylene triamine and tetraethylene pentamine. The organic phase consists of a transfluthrin solution and a polyisocyanate. The aqueous phase consists of water and a protective colloid, e.g. PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) etc. An oil in water (OΛV) emulsion is produced from the aqueous and organic phase. (The protective colloid prevents the polyisocyanate from reacting with the water during the emulsification process.) The polyfunctional amine is then added and, if necessary, polymerizes with the polyisocyanate to increase the temperature to form the polyurea microcapsule. An aqueous transfluthrin microcapsule suspension is obtained. In principle, however, other polymers can also be used for the microencapsulation of transfluthrin.

The capsule wall material, the size of the microcapsules and the thickness of the polyurea wall - and thus the release of transfluthrin from the microcapsules - can be adjusted accordingly using the manufacturing parameters.

Example of a recipe for 1 kg of 10% transfluthrin microcapsule suspension

PVA 1% in water 530 g

Transfluthrin 100 g

Solvesso 200 ^® 285 g

Diphenylmethane diisocyanate 15 g

Diethylene triamine 10% in water 45 g

Kelzan S ^® 2% + Benzylhemiformal 4% in water 25 g

1000 g

Transfluthrin is dissolved in Solvesso 200 ^® and this solution is mixed with diphenyl methane diisocyanate. The organic phase is obtained. An O / W emulsion is produced from the PVA solution and the organic phase at a temperature of 25 ° C. (The Ultra Turrax T50 ^® from Janke & Kunkel, IKA Labortechnik in Staufen, for example, is used for this.) The size of the emulsion droplets, which corresponds to the size of the microcapsules, can be adjusted with the emulsification rate and the duration of the emulsification, eg emulsifying at 7000 rpm for 2 min.

The diethylenetriamine solution is then added with stirring. It is warmed slowly (within 1-2 hours) to 60 ° C. These 60 ° C are kept under stirring for about 5 hours. The polymerization of diphenylmethane diisocyanate and diethylene triamine to give the polyurea microcapsule is then completed.

The aqueous Kelzan S ^® gel with benzyl hemiform is added with stirring. (The polysaccharide Kelzan S ^® , a so-called xanthan gum, is a polymeric thickener from Kelco. Benzylhemiformal, a formaldehyde releaser, is a preservative from Bayer AG.)

After cooling to room temperature, the experiment is finished and the transfluthrin microcapsule suspension can be filled.

However, other polymers for the microencapsulation of transfluthrin are also conceivable. If, for example, instead of polyfunctional amines, the corresponding polyfunctional alcohols are reacted with the polyfunctional isocyanates mentioned, microcapsules with a polyurethane structure are obtained instead.

E.g. instead of polyfunctional isocyanates, the corresponding polyfunctional acid chlorides with the polyfunctional amines mentioned

Reaction brought, instead you get microcapsules with a polyamide structure.

Testing spray cans for a flushing effect on cockroaches

The test was carried out in plastic trays (pricking boxes, type 23, WuH Fernholz GmbH & Co. KG, Meinerzhagen) with the dimensions 40 cm x 60 cm x 6 cm. The filter paper laid out on the floor was fixed with "tesa" ^® film 4104.

Talc-coated side walls prevented the cockroaches from escaping. The hiding place was placed in the middle of the bowls, in the front third an inverted water-filled weighing jar as a potions and a piece of rusk as food.

Base plate 1 and ceiling plate 3 of the hiding place consist of with white DD

Lacquer coated aluminum, side bars 5 and slider 2 made of Teflon. Countersunk screws 4 and wing nuts hold the construction together, whereby the desired hiding depth is set using the slider. The structure and dimensions of the hiding place are [Fig. 1]. The hiding height can be varied by exchanging the slider and the side bars. A

Opening is labeled 6.

Twenty-four cockroaches of a certain type and stage or sex were placed in each container 24 hours before the start of the test. After this time, all the animals were usually in hiding. This was placed in the fume cupboard and in a plastic container measuring 65 cm x 46.5 cm x

30 cm on two glass cylinders (total height 36 cm, diameter 12 cm). From a distance of 30 cm and 36 cm height, 2 g of can contents were sprayed in the direction of the hiding opening.

After the spraying process was finished, the hiding place was transferred to the plastic shell on a talc-coated glass ring (height 5 cm, diameter

10 centimeters). The number of cockroaches driven out was up to 5 minutes. to Treatment in one minute, up to 30 min. at five-minute intervals and after 60 minutes. and determined 24 hours. After 60 min. a 9.5 cm diameter kinked filter disc was placed in the pricking boxes as protection for the expelled cockroaches. Control treatment with an active substance-free dose was carried out in each test.

Only in isolated cases did cockroaches drive out of the hiding place again; usually they soon fell off the hiding place. After the end of the experiment, the hiding places were screwed apart, rinsed with acetone, cleaned at 95 ° C. in a dishwasher and dried at 150 ° C. in a drying cabinet.

Table 1

Expulsion effect of a transfluthrin spray can against cockroaches of the species

Blattella germanica L 5

Testing spray cans for effects after direct spraying of crawling insects.

The tests are carried out in a fume cupboard in which the suction is to be regulated so that the spray jet is not impaired. One cockroach is placed in a wire gauze box with an inside diameter of

70 mm, a height of 10 mm and a mesh size of 1.5 mm. The test vessels prepared in this way are clamped on the spray apparatus at an angle of 45 °. The area behind and under the gauze test container is lined with absorbent filter paper, which is replaced after each test.

Calculated at a distance of 60 cm in the middle of the wire gauze to the nozzle of the spray head of the aerosols to be tested, the spray can is clamped on the spray apparatus so that the spray jet hits the wire gauze perpendicularly. The time that has to be sprayed before the can content to be applied can be determined from the can to be tested. The can is weighed before and after each test to determine the exact amount applied. A stopwatch is operated simultaneously with the spray valve in order to be able to precisely determine the KD effect (KD = knockdown) on the animals. Immediately after spraying, the animals are transferred to a clean container, provided with a swab and evaluated for knock down according to time and% mortality after certain times. Table 2

Effect of a spray can with unencapsulated transfluthrin after direct spraying of cockroaches of the species Blattella germanica mm

Spray volume: 2.4 - 2.8 g can content / cockroach from temperature: 22 ° C at a distance of 60 cm rel. Humidity: 47%

(Average of 10 attempts)

% Active ingredient 100% knockdown after% mortality after: seconds ("): Transfluthrin medium spread 2h 24h 48h

0.05 33 "19" - 58 "100 100 90

Test method for testing spray cans for their residual effects against crawling insects.

Spraying the documents

The treatment is carried out in an extraction chamber in which the suction can be regulated in such a way that there is no impairment of the spray jet of the cans. The chapel is lined with filter paper on the floor and on the walls up to a height of 65 cm.

The most important materials can be treated, in particular glazed and unglazed tiles, PVC panels, lacquered plywood, etc. The documents to be treated (size 15 x 15 cm = 225 cm ² ) are placed on a tripod ring (outside diameter 10 cm) in a Height of 5 cm is attached to a tripod, set up and leaned against the tripod rod that an angle of 55 ° is formed. Since each spray can can vary in its spray behavior (pressure, spray cone, droplet size) from a different composition and technical equipment, the experimentalist must use cardboard underlay with each spray can before handling the actual documents

(15 x 15 cm) train from which distance and at what speed spraying is required. A uniform spraying of the documents with the desired application rate is achieved if, depending on the spray cone and pressure of the spray can, spraying from a distance of 25 - 40 cm. It has proven to be expedient to guide the can in a semicircle by hand. The spray jet is guided on the surface from the top left, starting from the center right to the bottom left (see Fig. 2).

The amount that is sprayed beyond the edges of the documents, the spray loss, was determined in extensive tests with cardboard borders and was approximately 10%.

Before and after each spraying process, the spray can is weighed in order to determine the amount of can applied.

In order to apply a can content of 50 g / m ² , 1.24 g can content / 225 cm ^{2 must be} applied. This amount already contains the 10% spray loss determined.

Documents on which are not within the tolerance of 1.20 to 1.30 g

The amount of can content to be dispensed must be discarded. Immediately after spraying, the underlay is taken out of its inclined position and laid flat to prevent the spray coating from running off, especially with non-absorbent underlays and extremely moist spray cans. After the spray coatings have dried, the documents are transferred to the test room.

Animal material and testing

The treated documents are filled with 5 cockroaches each, which are held in talcum-coated glass rings (diameter 9.5 cm, height 5.5 cm).

Evaluation:

One day after the treatment, then after 2 to 4 days a day, the treated documents are populated with the test animals.

The evaluation is made for 100% knock down or mortality after 15, 30 and 60 minutes and after 2, 3 and 4 hours. Table 3

Residual effect of a transfluthrin spray can with unencapsulated transfluthrin applied on glazed tiles (LK) and unglazed tiles (UK) against cockroaches of the species

Blattella germanica mm.

Temperature: 24-25 ° C rel. Humidity: 69-76% ^"

Testing aerosol spray cans

The tests are carried out in 20 m ³ (L = 2.84 m, W = 2.33 m, H = 3.03 m) rooms, the inner walls and ceilings of which are made of stainless steel (DIN 4571) with 5 windows per room, carried out. The floor is tiled with unglazed tiles. In the test rooms are lowered from the ceiling, in one Height of 1.80 m and 0.45 m from the respective wall, 3 wire cages (L = 8.5 cm, diameter = 8.0 cm, mesh size = 1.0 mm) with 20 test animals each.

Through an opening (diameter = 13 cm) at a height of 1.90 m opposite the door, the desired amount of spray can content is from the outside

(Application rate) computer-controlled sprayed into the room and evenly distributed in the room by a 1-minute fan (brand "Progress", type 958 5790-04 Wi l). The evaluation takes place through the glass window.

The time after which 50% and 95% of the animals in the supine position fell (KT 50 and KT 95; KT = knockdown time). The test animals remain in the rooms for 60 minutes. Then the percentage of animals lying on their back (KD) is determined. All animals are removed from the cages and transferred to insecticide-free, crystal-clear plastic cups. The cups are closed with perforated lids and provided with 10% cotton swabs soaked in 10% sugar solution. After the test animals have been kept in an insecticide-free atmosphere for 24 hours, the mortality is determined.

Tested animal species, active ingredient composition of the spray cans and biological results as well as number of tests, application rate (g / 20 m ³ ) and spraying time (see), room temperature and rel. Room humidity can be found in the tables.

Table 4

Aerosol effect of Transfluthrin CS + EW as a combination in spray cans against various test animals

Experiment No. 8 (average of 3-5 experiments) Temperature: 23.5-24.5 ° C rel. Humidity: 46.1-65.5%

Method see above

Table 5

Expulsion effect of Transfluthrin CS + EW as a combination in spray cans against cockroaches of the species Blattella germanica L 5

Hiding height: 0.5 cm Average from 5 experiments Temperature: 21 ° C

Hiding depth: 5.0 cm rel. Humidity: 40-50%

% Active ingredient% expulsion after minutes:

Trans¬ Trans¬ g 1 '2' 4 '10' 60 'fluthrin fluthrin Sprüh¬ CS EW amount

0.5 0.05 1.9 28 50 64 76 96 100

Method see above Table 6

Effect of Transfluthrin CS and EW as a combination in spray cans after direct spraying of cockroaches of the species Blattella germanica L 5

Spray quantity: 2.4-2.8 g can content / scraping temperature 21 ° C from a distance of 60 cm rel. Humidity: 50%

(Average of 10 attempts)

Method see above

Table 7

Residual effect of Transfluthrin CS + EW as a combination in spray cans applied on lacquered wood (LH), glazed tiles (LK) and unglazed tiles (UK) against Blattella germanica L 5

Application rate: 50 g can content / m ² Temperature: 24 ° C rel. Humidity: 70-75%

% Wirkstofl ^"Unter¬ 80-100% knockdown by minutes or hours position during an exposure time of 8 hours 1 day | 1 Where | 2 where | 3 wk 4 wk 6 wk

0.05 Transiluthnn CS LH 30 '8 h ₄ h 8 h 0

+

0.05 Transfluthrin EW LK 15 '30' 60 '60' 60 '6 h water-based UK 30' 30 '60' 2 h 60 '2 h

Claims

claims

1. Insecticidal and acaricidal composition, characterized in that it contains microencapsulated transfluthrin.

2. Insecticidal and acaricidal compositions according to claim 1, characterized in that in addition to a microencapsulated portion of

Transfluthrin. it also contains a non-microencapsulated, free portion.

3. Insecticidal and acaricidal compositions according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the microcapsules consist of polyurea material.

4. Insecticidal and acaricidal compositions according to claims 1 to

3, characterized in that the microcapsules consist of polyurea material, the polyurea formulation being formed from a polyisocyanate and a polyfunctional amine.

5. Insecticidal and acaricidal compositions according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that toluene diisocyanate, diphenyl methane diisocyanate, phenylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate or hexane diisocyanate and as a polyfunctional amine ethylenediamine, hexamethyl endiamine, phenylenediamine, diethylenetriamine or ethylenpent-amine are used.

6. Insecticidal and acaricidal compositions according to claims 1 to

5, characterized in that the non-microencapsulated portion is formulated as an emulsion concentrate EC, a water-based emulsion concentrate or as an undiluted liquid AL.

7. Insecticidal and acaricidal compositions according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the ratio of microencapsulated to non-encapsulated portion is between 100: 0.1 and 0.1: 100.

8. Insecticidal and acaricidal compositions according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the ratio of microencapsulated to non-encapsulated portion is between 10: 0.1 and 0.1: 10.

9. Compositions according to claims 1 to 8, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that it is spray formulations.

10. Compositions according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that they are formulations such as ULV, hot and cold mist, emulsion concentrates (EC), water-based emulsion concentrates (EW), microencapsulated suspensions (CS) or undiluted liquids (AL) acts.

11. Use of compositions according to claims 1 to 10 for controlling insects or mites which occur in the household or as hygiene or storage pests.

12. A method for controlling insects or mites which occur in the household or as hygiene or storage pests, characterized in that compositions according to claims 1 to 10 are allowed to act on insects or mites and / or their habitat.