GB2383754A

GB2383754A - Degradable pest control device

Info

Publication number: GB2383754A
Application number: GB0229596A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Edwin Howse
Original assignee: Exosect Ltd
Current assignee: Exosect Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-19
Filing date: 2002-12-19
Publication date: 2003-07-09
Also published as: AU2002366316A1; WO2003051112A1; GB0229596D0

Abstract

A device for controlling pests comprises a pest control material incorporated into a degradable material. The device may be photo-degradable, hydrolysable or biodegradable and may incorporate insecticides, fungal spores, entopathogenic bacilli, rodenticides, semiochemicals, pheromones or paraphermones. The pest control agent may be dispersed aerially or via the degradable material sticking, either through the use of adhesive/lipophilic materials or electrostatically chargeable powder (60, fig. 4), to the cuticles/outer skin/fur of passing pests. The device may also be coloured to attract pests, be suspendable from a support (fig. 2), have a cover for diverting rain water (19, fig. 2) and comprise a lure. The degradable material may also contain metallic or magnetic powder. The device may also comprise a tubular container (6, fig. 1) comprising a series of degradable discs (4, fig. 1) that contain the active ingredients, wherein the discs can be dispensed from the container from a plane.

Description

Pest Control Description

5 This invention relates to pest control and is especially, but not exclusively, related to the control of insects and other arthropod pests, such as ticks and mites, as well as rodent pests.

10 The widespread use of chemical and biological pest control materials, such as pesticides, in agricultural, horticultural, forestry and public health protection, has led to the development of resistance in pests to a wide range of these is materials.

l Over use of such pest control materials has caused both widespread pollution and the mortality of many beneficial insects and animals, resulting in 20 bans on their use in many countries.

The above factors have made it desirable to develop new pest control measures which present fewer hazards to farmers, consumers and the environment, 25 which target pest species effectively and which also minimise the amounts of pest control materials used.

Many different types of pest control device and techniques have been developed, one such technique 30 being known as mating disruption which uses pheromone dispensers placed in an environment, such as a crop environment, to be protected. For a review of the

-2 current technology, see Howse, Stevens & Jones: Insect pheromones and their role in pest management, Chapman & Hall 1998. In this technique, a dispensing device contains a charge of the sexual attractant 5 pheromone of the species to be controlled. The device regulates release of the pheromone, such that it is maintained in the air around an environment to be protected, for example, a crop environment, for periods of weeks or months.

Normally, a male will follow the windborne scent to its source in order to find a female with which it then mates.

15 Mating disruption is believed to act through two main mechanisms, namely, diversion to individual dispensing devices, sometimes known as false trail following, and habituation in which loss of sensitivity of the male to pheromone as a result of 20 prolonged exposure thereto, occurs.

There are, however, disadvantages associated with this type of dispensing device. For example, numerous devices are needed to maintain a 25 concentration of pheromone high enough within the crop to interfere with the ability of male insects, for example, a moth to pick up windborne plumes of pheromone emitted by females of the same species.

30 The dispensing device mentioned above can be manufactured in several different forms, including hollow fibres, plastic flakes, twist-tie wax ropes

and slow-release capsules. All these forms must be designed to hold and liberate relatively large amounts of pheromone continuously to keep the concentrations of pheromone around the crop high.

5 Because pheromones in general are expensive to synthesize, due to their high purity requirements, these pest control devices are relatively expensive and commonly have to be distributed at around 400 1000 per hectare. These requirements for the devices lo to be sufficiently effective are, therefore, costly and time consuming.

Published International Patent Application, No. WO 94/00980 (Howse) discloses the use of is electrostatically-charged particles as a means of contaminating insects with synthetic or biological insecticides, or with other biologically active materials, such as semiochemicals, for example pheromones and other attractants. Published 20 International Patent Application No. WO 00/01236 discloses the use of magnetic particles for similar purposes. Published International Patent Application No. WO 01/28322 discloses a means of distributing electrostatically-chargeable or magnetic powders in a 25 dispenser. The dispenser has biodegradable entry ports which open when the dispenser is placed in the desired environment. This type of dispenser is particularly suitable for distribution from aircraft over forests or extensive agro-ecosystems.

A disadvantage of these currently developed dispensers which utilize electrostatically-charged or

magnetic particles, is that the powder may be blown from the dispenser by high winds or washed out by rainwater, thus reducing the efficacy of the dispensers. A further disadvantage is that volatile 5 materials formulated in the powder may be lost too quickly into the atmosphere, so that the dispensers cease to be efficacious before pest control has been achieved. 10 A further disadvantage is that the dispenser's container for the powder must be fabricated separately and requires special adaptations of aircraft to allow efficient dispersal when aerial application is desirable in order to cover large 15 areas effectively.

Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide a pest control device and associated method which eliminate, or at least substantially 20 reduce, the disadvantages associated with the known types of pest control device and method currently in common use and discussed above.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention 2s provides a device for controlling pests, comprising a degradable material incorporating a pest control material. The degradable material is preferably in the 30 form of a matrix which is most preferably solid.

-5 This arrangement is most advantageous because the pest control material is held in the degradable material for subsequent release therefrom, with, any volatile active ingredient being retained therein.

Degradation of the degradable material results in release of the pest control material from an outer surface thereof. This is advantageous because the pest control material is lost at only the surface of 10 the degradable material, as it becomes freed therefrom, for example, from the matrix thereof. In this way, any pest control material, such as, at the outer surface of the degradable material matrix removed by, say, wind and rain, can be replaced 15 continuously.

The degradable material may comprise any suitable material but preferably comprises a photodegradable polymer, biodegradable polymer, 20 starchbased polymer, hydrolyzable polymer, silicon-

based polymer or a micro-porous material, for example, an aerogel or any combination thereof.

The degradable material may also comprise an 25 lipophilic material, an oil or any other lightly adhesive material. These substances coat the pest control material which is released at the surface of, say, a matrix, to form particles which may adhere to the cuticle of a pest. Any such particles are 30 preferably of a size less than 50 microns.

The pest control material incorporated with the degradable material preferably comprises a powder which may be an electrostaticallychargeable powder, for example, a wax, such as a natural wax, or a 5 plastics polymer, or metallic particles, such as a magnetic powder.

The pest control material most preferably further comprises a pesticide, insecticide, 10 rodenticide, pathogenic fungal spore, entomopathogenic bacilli, semiochemical, natural product chemical or behaviour modifying chemical or any combination thereof. Any behaviour modifying chemical present in the pest control composition 15 preferably comprises a pheromone or parapheromone, for example, a volatilizable sex attractant. Any natural product chemical present in the pest control composition preferably comprises an essential oil or its constituents.

The pest control device may be constructed in any suitable form, for example it may be spherical, polygonal, tubular or collar-shaped. The degradable material may be suspendable or suspended from a 25 support means or may be of a shape suitable for aerial dispatch and distribution.

A plurality of pest control devices may be provided, which are suitable shaped, preferably disc 30 shaped, and are stackable within a container which may also be degradable, thereby eliminating littering of the environment.

The degradable material may also further comprise a lure and/or a cover for diverting rainwater therefrom and may also be coloured to 5 optimise pest attraction, for example, yellow.

In use of the degradable pest control device, any pest contacting the degradable material may be contaminated with the pest control material and if 10 the pest control material is removed from the surface of the degradable material, by, whatever means, it can be replaced by further degradation of the degradable material and release of more pest control material. HA second aspect of the invention provides a method for controlling pests, comprising releasing from a degradable material a pest control material incorporated therewith.

The degradable material is preferably in the form of a matrix which is most preferably solid.

Degradation of the degradable material results 25 in release of the pest control material from an outer surface thereof. This is advantageous because the pest control material is lost at only the surface of the degradable material, as it becomes freed from the degradable material, such as a matrix thereof. In 30 this way, any pest control material, for example, a powder, which is removed by wind, rain or any other extraneous force, is continuously replaced.

The degradable material may comprise any suitable material but preferably comprises a photodegradable polymer, biodegradable polymer, starch-based polymer, hydrolyzable polymer, silicon 5 based polymer or a micro-porous material, for example, an aerogel or any combination thereof.

The degradable material may also comprise an lipophilic material, an oil or any other lightly 10 adhesive material. These substances coat the pest control material which is released at the surface of, say, a matrix, to form particles which may adhere to the cuticle of a pest. Any such particles are preferably of a size less than 50 microns.

The pest control material incorporated with degradable material preferably comprises a powder which may be an electrostatically- chargeable powder, for example, a wax, such as a natural wax, or a 20 plastics polymer, or metallic particles, such as a magnetic powder.

The pest control material most preferably further comprises a pesticide, insecticide, 25 rodenticide, pathogenic fungal spore, entomopathogenic bacilli, semiochemical, natural product chemical or behaviour modifying chemical or any combination thereof. Any behaviour modifying chemical present in the pest control composition 30 preferably comprises a pheromone or parapheromone, for example, a volatilizable sex attractant. Any natural product chemical present in the pest control

composition preferably comprises an essential oil or its constituents.

The degradable material may be constructed in s any suitable form, for example, it may be spherical, polygonal, tubular or collar-shaped. The degradable material may be suspendable from a support means or may be of a shape suitable for aerial dispatch and distribution. Also, a plurality of pest control devices may be provided, which are suitably shaped, preferably disc shaped, and which are stackable within a container which may also be degradable, to eliminate littering 15 of the environment.

The degradable material may also further comprise a lure and/or a cover for diverting rainwater therefrom and may also be coloured, for 20 example, yellow, to optimise pest attraction.

In use of the degradable pest control device, any pest contacting the degradable material may be contaminated with pest control material released 25 therefrom. If the pest control material is removed from the surface of the degradable material, by whatever means, it can be replaced by further degradation of the degradable material.

30 The degradable material may be designed such that it is aerially distributable.

-10 The invention also provides apparatus for controlling pests, which comprises a pest control device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention defined above, as well as any modifications s therefor, as referenced above.

For example, the pest control apparatus may include a container in which one or more devices are accommodated. Such a container may accommodate a 10 stack of pest control devices which are capable of being dispatched and distributed aerially.

The container may be degradable and the apparatus may further comprise a lure and, 15 optionally, a cover for diverting rainwater from the pesticontrol device(s).

A third aspect of the invention resides in a method of making a device for use in controlling 20 pests, which method comprises incorporating with a degradable material a pest control material.

The degradable material may comprise any suitable material but preferably comprises a 25 photodegradable polymer, biodegradable polymer, starchbased polymer, hydrolyzable polymer, silicon-

30 The degradable material may also comprise an lipophilic material, an oil or any other lightly adhesive material. These substances coat the pest

control material which is released at the surface of, say, a matrix, to form particles which may adhere to the cuticle of a pest. Any such particles are preferably of a size less than 50 microns.

The pest control material incorporated with degradable material preferably comprises a powder which may be an electrostatically- chargeable powder, for example, a wax, such as a natural wax, or a 10 plastics polymer, or metallic particles, such as a magnetic powder.

Also, the pest control material may further comprise a pesticide, insecticide, rodenticide, Is pathogenic fungal spore, entomopathogenic bacilli, semiochemical, natural product chemical or behaviour modifying chemical or any combination thereof.

When the pest control material is a behaviour 20 modifying chemical, preferably comprises a pheromone or parapheromone which, in turn, may comprise a volatilizable sex attractant. Any natural product chemical present in the pest control composition preferably comprises an essential oil or constituents 25 thereof.

The degradable material, for example, in the form of a matrix, incorporated with the pest control material, may be formed in any suitable shape but is 30 preferably formed in a shape of a sphere, polygon, tube, collar or disc.

-12 In order that the various aspects of the invention can be more fully understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following 5 drawings in which: Figures 1A and 1B are respective diagrammatic side and end views of a first embodiment; 10 Figure 2 is a side elevation of a second embodiment; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a third embodiment; and Is Figure 4 is a side elevation of a fourth embodiment. Referring firstly to Figures 1A and 1B of the 20 drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of apparatus, indicated generally at 1, for controlling pests, including a plurality of disc-shaped pest control devices 4 each comprising a solid matrix 2 of a degradable material incorporating a pest control 25 material 5.

The devices 4 are stacked within a tubular container 6 and can be dispatched from an aircraft at appropriate locations over an area where pest control 30 is required, by operation of a solenoid-operated piston 8.

Each pest control device 4 is made by mixing the pest control material 5 in the form of an electrostatically-chargeable powder, for example, a wax, such as a natural wax, or plastics polymer, with 5 the degradeable material in the form of a photodegradable polymer, such that the electrostatically-chargeable powder is trapped within the resulting solid, photodegradable polymer matrix 2. Once dispatched into the area where pest control 10 is required, a layer 10 of the electrostatically-

chargeable powder 5 forms at the surface of the matrix 4, as the matrix 2 degrades under the action of sunlight. This powder 5 is also formulated with a volatile pheromone or parapheromone or other sex 15 attractant of the species of pest to be controlled.

The powder 5, therefore, acts to attract males of the pest species, to the devices 4. The pests become coated with the powder 5 from the surface 20 layer 10, which adheres to the pests' bodies electrostatically. The powder 5 continues to release the pheromone or parapheromone, causing an interference with the odour-based orientation system by which the males locate females. Mating is thus 25 prevented and population reduction is achieved.

Further contaminated males act as mobile dispensers releasing the female pheromone and divert non-

contaminated males searching for females. Also males releasing female pheromones tend to be rejected by 30 females ready to mate.

-14 As the pest control powder 5 is removed from the surface layer 10 of the degradable matrix 2, either by contact with a pest or by other mechanical effects, such as wind or rain, it is replaced by s photodegradation of the underlying surface by its exposure to sunlight once more.

Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of pest control apparatus in which a pest control device 14 JO again comprises a degradable solid matrix 12 which, in this case, is spherical. The matrix 12 is made in a similar manner to the matrix 2 of the device 4 of Figures 1A and 1B. However, it is formed from a hydrolyzable polymer which breaks down on exposure to IS moisture. In this embodiment, the degradable polymer matrix 12 containing the pest control material in the form of an electrostatically-chargeable powder 15, breaks down at the surface under the influence of moisture, to provide a layer 20 of the powder 15.

20 Exposure of the matrix surface to dew or high humidity is therefore sufficient to maintain a constant surface layer 20 of powder 15.

The device 14 is suspended from a suitable 25 support 17, such as a branch, by a plastics-coated wire 18 which supports a lure 16, to attract the desired pest, and a cover 19, which is shaped to divert rainwater away from the device 14. The cover 19 has struts 13 extending downwardly therefrom, 30 which support a receptacle 11 arranged such that it can retain any powder 15 which is dislodged from the matrix 12. The matrix 12 of the device 14 coloured

- 15 yellow, which assists in attracting pests, in particular the Mediterranean fruit fly, to the pest control device 14.

5 This second embodiment is particularly useful for controlling horticultural or crop pests, such as the Mediterranean fruit fly which attacks citrus fruits. The electrostatically-chargeable powder 15 in this embodiment comprises a slow-acting 10 insecticide which acts topically. When a pest lands on the matrix 12 of the device 14, it is contaminated with powder 15 at the surface layer 20, which adheres to the body of the pest. The slow acting insecticide in the powder 15 will cause the pest to die after a 15 period of several days. Before dying, the pest will passe on the powder 15 to other pests during mating and male aggregations prior to mating.

This embodiment may also be made with polyvinyl 20 butyrate, a biopolymer which is completely biodegradable as a result of bacterial action. The polymer material consists of crystalline microspherules. During bacterial degradation these spherules will split into smaller elements, forming a 25 fine dust which is picked up by insects walking on the surface of the polymer or attempting to land on it. In this embodiment the polymer also contains pheromone introduced in a suitable solvent which is later evaporated off. This allows the particles 30 produced by biodegradation to liberate pheromone continuously.

-16 Figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of pest control apparatus wherein a degradable matrix 22 of a pest control device 24 is polygonal in shape and is placed within a suitable casing 26 to restrict access 5 to children, animals and non-target organisms. The matrix 22 is formed in the same manner as that in Figure 2, namely, from a hydrolyzable polymer which degrades under the action of moisture, to release a layer 30 of electrostatically-chargeable powder 25.

In this embodiment, the electrostatically-

chargeable powder 25 is also formulated with fungal spores of the entomopathogen Metarhyzium anisopliae.

15 Pests which enter the casing 26 seeking refuge or attracted by food items placed therein, will come into contact with the surface layer 30 of the matrix 22 and carry away with them the pathogenic fungal spores attached to the electrostatically-chargeable 20 powder 25. Again, these spores may be passed on to further pests where they then germinate on the pests, causing them to die.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of pest 25 control apparatus comprising a pest control device 34 which is suitable for controlling rodents 40. The apparatus is in the form of interconnecting tubes, with an entry tube 50 of a diameter sufficient to allow the passage of a rodent 40 into a second, outer 30 tube 36 of the device 34.

-17 The entry tube 50 is constructed from a material which will generate an electrostatic charge on the rodent's fur as it passes through the entry tube 50.

s The second, outer tube 36 has an inner coaxial tube 38 fitted inside it, which tube 38 is constructed from a electrostatically-chargeable powder formulated with a rodenticide and incorporated 10 with a hydrolyzable, degradable matrix 32. The inner surface of the inner coaxial tube 38 is coated with a layer 60 of the powder which has been released from the matrix 32 due to the hydrolyzable effect of the humidity within the tube 38 upon that matrix 32.

i The fur of the rodent 40, having a temporary electrostatic charge thereon, picks up the powder of the layer 60 containing the rodenticide. On grooming itself, the rodent will ingest the powder, thus 20 leading to its death.

Also, the preferred embodiments described above, could easily be modified, within the scope of the invention, to provide a pest control device and/or 2s associated apparatus which is suitable for use with flying forest pests such as Lepidoptera including, but not limited to, Gypsy moth, Pine processionary moth and Pine shoot moth, Coleoptera including, but not limited to, bark beetles and longhorn beetles 30 horticultural and crop pests, such as, moths and bugs which attack grapes, apples, peaches, olives, cotton, maize, rice, and wheat and public health and amenity

-18 pests, such as, flour moths, grain beetles, cockroaches, ants, termites, houseflies, blowflies, tsetse flies and mosquitoes.

5 Further, the matrix can be formed in other suitable shapes for controlling parasitic arthropods such as ticks, mites and fleas on farm or companion animals. For example, a collar or part of a collar may be formulated to release artropocidal powder into 10 the coat of the animal. The design of the matrix of the pest control device can also be chosen to aid the distribution process and any protective casing used could take a variety of forms.

15 It will be obvious to a skilled person that magnetic powders can be used in the place of electrostatically-chargeable powders. Also, the active ingredients in the embodiments shown can be substituted to include any synthetic pesticide, 20 biological insecticide, pheromones, parapheromones or other semiochemicals, natural product chemicals such as essential oils or their constituents, or any other compound which can block the action of pheromones, parapheromones or other semiochemicals or any 25 combinations thereof.

Semiochemicals, for example, interfere with pheromone perception or with location of hosts. For example, a female fruit moth is attracted to a source 30 of powder containing fruit odours. The powder on her body that is releasing the odour saturates her antenna! sense organs so that she is unable to locate

- l9 -

ripe fruit upon which to lay her eggs. At the same time she will act as a decoy for other egg-laying females. s Pesticides may also be used in conjunction with semiochemicals such as pheromonal attractants and host attractants. In such cases the pesticide chosen has delayed activity. Insects are attracted to a source of powder by pheromonal or other attractants.

10 They become contaminated with the powder which they transfer to other insects in mating attempts or when aggregating in refuges, so spreading the insecticide in the population. By forming the attractant together with the pesticide in the matrix from which 15 the powder is produced, the efficacy of control is improved because the contaminated insects will attract other insects to them, even for a period after their death 20 It will also be obvious to a skilled person that the degradation rate of the degradable material, such as a matrix, can be determined by modifying its construction. For example, the rate of degradation of starch-based polymers in a given environment can 2s be determined by adjusting the proportion of starch in the polymer. The rate of degradation in photodegradable polymers can also be influenced by the addition of photosensitive promoters.

30 Further it will be obvious that the size of the powder or particles produced by degradation will affect the probability of them adhering to the insect

-20 body. Particles that are too massive will easily be shed and particles which are too small will carry little active ingredient. A preferred size range is therefore between one and 50 microns, but this may 5 vary.

Claims

-21 CLAIMS

1. A device for controlling pests, comprising a 5 degradable material incorporating a pest control material. 2. A device as claimed in claim l, wherein the degradable material is in the form of a matrix.

3. A device as claimed in claim l or 2, wherein the degradable material is solid.

4. A device as claimed in claim l, 2 or 3, wherein 15 the degradable material is arranged to release the pest control material from an outer surface thereof.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the degradable material comprises a 20 photodegradable polymer, biodegradable polymer, starch-based polymer, hydrolyzable polymer, silicon-

based polymer or a micro-porous material or any combination thereof.

25 6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the micro-porous material is an aerogel.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the degradable material comprises a 30 lipophilic material, an oil or any other lightly adhesive material or any combination thereof.

-22 8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the lipophilic material, oil or other lightly adhesive material coats the pest control material, to form 5 particles which adhere to the cuticle of a pest.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the particles are less than 50 microns.

10 10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pest control material incorporated with the degradable material, comprises an electrostatically-chargeable powder.

15 11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the electrostaticallychargeable powder comprises a wax, for example, a natural wax, or a plastics polymer.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, 20 wherein the pest control material incorporated with the degradable material, comprises metallic particles, such as a magnetic powder.

13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, 25 wherein the pest control material comprises a pesticide, insecticide, rodenticide, pathogenic fungal spore, entomopathogenic bacilli, semiochemical, natural product chemical or behaviour modifying chemical or any combination thereof.

-23 14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pest control material comprises a behaviour modifying chemical comprising a pheromone or parapheromone.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pheromone or parapheromone comprises a volatile sex attractant. 10 16. A device as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the pest control material comprises a natural product chemical comprising an essential oil or constituents thereof.

15 17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the degradable material is in the shape of a sphere, polygon, tube, collar or disc.

18. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, 20 suspendable from support means.

19. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the degradable material is of a shape suitable for aerial dispatch.

20. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the degradable material is coloured.

21. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the 30 colour is yellow.

-24 22. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in use, of the device, any pest contacting the degradable material is contaminated with the pest 5 control material.

23. Pest control apparatus comprising a device as claimed in any preceding claim.

10 24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, comprising a container in which one or more devices are accommodated. 25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the 15 container is degradable.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, 24 or 25 further comprising a lure.

20 27. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 23 to 26 further comprising a cover for diverting rainwater.

28. A method of controlling pests, comprising releasing from a degradable material a pest control 25 material incorporated therewith.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the degradable material is provided in the form of a matrix.

-25 30. A method as claimed in claim 28 or 29, wherein the degradable material is solid.

s 31. A method as claimed in claim 28, 29 or 30, wherein degradation of the degradable material results in release of the pest control material from or on an outer surface thereof.

10 32. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 31, wherein the degradable material comprises a photodegradable polymer, biodegradable polymer, starch-based polymer, hydrolyzable polymer, silicon based polymer or a micro-porous material or any IS combination thereof.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the micro-porous material is an aerogel 20 34. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 33, wherein the degradable material comprises a lipophilic material, an oil or any other lightly adhesive material or any combination thereof.

2s 35. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein the lipophilic material, oil or other lightly adhesive material coats the pest control material, to form particles which adhere to the cuticle of a pest.

30 36. A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the particles are less than 50 microns.

-26 37. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 36, wherein the pest control material incorporated with the degradable material, comprises an 5 electrostatically-chargeable powder.

38. A method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the powder is an electrostatically-chargeable powder and comprises a wax, for example a natural wax, or a lo plastics polymer.

39. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 38, wherein the pest control material incorporated with the degradable material, comprises metallic 15 particles, such as a magnetic powder.

40. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 39, wherein the pest control material comprises a pesticide, insecticide, rodenticide, pathogenic 20 fungal spore, entomopathogenic bacilli, semiochemical, natural product chemical or behaviour modifying chemical or any combination thereof.

41. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein any 25 behaviour modifying chemical comprises a pheromone or parapheromone. 42. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein the pheromone or parapheromone comprises a volatile sex 30 attractant.

-27 43. A method as claimed in any of claims 40 to 42, wherein any natural product chemical comprises an essential oil or constituents thereof.

44. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 43, wherein the degradable material is formed in the shape of a sphere, polygon, tube, collar or disc.

10 45. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 44, wherein the degradable material incorporating the pest control, is suspended from support means.

46. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 45, IS wherein the degradable material is shaped for aerial dispatch. 47. A method as claimed in claim 28 or 46, wherein the degradable material incorporating the pest 20 control material is dispatched aerially from within a container. 48. A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein the container is degradable.

49. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 48, further comprising the provision of a lure.

50. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 49, 30 further comprising providing a cover for diverting rainwater.

-28 51. A method as claimed in any of claims 28 to 50, wherein the degradable material is coloured.

5 52. A method as claimed in claim 51, wherein the colour is yellow.

53. A method of making a device for use in controlling pests, the method comprising lo incorporating with a degradable material a pest control material.

54. A method as claimed in claim 53, wherein the degradable material incorporating the pest control is material, is formed as a solid matrix.

55. A method as claimed in claim 53 or 54, wherein the degradable material comprises a photodegradable polymer, biodegradable polymer, starch-based polymer, 20 hydrolyzable polymer, silicon-based polymer or a micro-porous material or any combination thereof.

56. A method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the micro-porous material is an aerogel 57. A method as claimed in any of claims 53 to 56, wherein the degradable material further comprises a lipophilic material, an oil or any other lightly adhesive material or any combination thereof.

-29 58. A method as claimed in claim 57, wherein the lipophilic material, oil or other lightly adhesive material coats the pest control material, to form particles which can adhere to the cuticle of a pest.

59. A method as claimed in claim 58, wherein the particles are less than 50 microns in size.

60. A method as claimed in any of claims 53 to 59, lo wherein the pest control material, incorporated with the degradable material comprises an electrostatically-chargeable powder.

61. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein the IS powder is an electrostatically-chargeable powder and comprises a wax, for example, a natural wax, or a plastics polymer.

62. A method as claimed in any of claims 53 to 61, 20 wherein the pest control material incorporated with the degradable material, comprises metallic particles, such as a magnetic powder.

63. A method as claimed in any of claims 53 to 62, 25 wherein the pest control material comprises a pesticide, insecticide, rodenticide, pathogenic fungal spore, entomopathogenic bacilli, semiochemical, natural product chemical or behaviour modifying chemical or any combination thereof.

-30 64. A method as claimed in claim 63, wherein any behaviour modifying chemical comprises a pheromone or parapheromone. S 65. A method as claimed in claim 64, wherein the pheromone or parapheromone comprises a volatile sex attractant. 66. A method as claimed in claim 63, 64 or 65, 10 wherein any natural product chemical comprises an essential oil or constituents thereof.

67. A method as claimed in any of claims 53 to 66, wherein the degradable material incorporated with the IS pest control material, is formed in the shape of a sphere, polygon, tube, collar or disc.

68. A pest control device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 20 accompanying drawings.

69. Pest control apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

70. A method of making a pest control device, substantially as hereinbefore described.

J

-31 71. A method of controlling pests, substantially as hereinbefore described.