GB2610168A

GB2610168A - Pesticidal compositions

Info

Publication number: GB2610168A
Application number: GB2111996.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Green Matthew; Thorogood Sophie; Dealing William
Original assignee: Rentokil Initial 1927 PLC
Current assignee: Rentokil Initial 1927 PLC
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2023-03-01
Also published as: GB202111996D0

Abstract

A composition comprising a systemic insecticide and a rodenticide. A method for controlling blood feeding invertebrates comprising orally administering the composition to rodents as well as the use of the composition in this method are also included. The insecticide may be an avermectin, milbemycin, neonicotinoid, spinosyn, isoxazoline, biological insecticidal entomopathogen, virus, fungal insecticide or naturally derived insecticidal plant extract, preferably an avermectin such as ivermectin. The rodenticide may be chloralose, cholecalciferol, brodifacoum, difethialone, flocoumafen, bromadiolone and difenacoum, preferably brodifacoum. The composition may comprise 0.5-50 ppm insecticide and 1-50 ppm rodenticide and may be in a 100:1 to 1:50 ratio. The insecticide or rodenticide may be impregnated into grain. The composition may comprise feeding stimulants, attractants, dyes, bittering agents, solvents, flow agents, binding agents, weatherability enhancers, preservatives or fillers. The blood feeding invertebrates may be mosquitoes, fleas, ticks or sand flies, preferably mosquitoes such as Aedes albopictus, which may be active during the day, exophilic or part of a population in an area difficult for human access, preferably a sewer or septic tank. The rodents may be non-domesticated, pests or rats, may have access to food sources other than the composition and the composition may be administered to the rodent indoors.

Description

PESTICIDAL COMPOSITIONS

FIELD

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for controlling blood feeding invertebrate animals.

BACKGROUND

Insecticides are traditionally delivered to adults of blood feeding insects using methods such as bed nets and indoor residual treatment. It is, however, difficult to deliver insecticides to the adults of some blood feeding insect species using these traditional methods. This is especially the case for blood feeding insects which are active during the day, exophilic, and which establish populations in habitats which are difficult for humans to access, such as sewers, septic tanks and similar subterranean structures that move and retain water.

There is a need for new methods of delivering insecticides to adults of blood feeding invertebrate animals, especially those which are active during the day, are exophilic and which establish populations in habitats which are difficult for humans to access.

SUMMARY

Surprisingly, it has been found that systemic insecticides (ivermectin in particular) are sufficiently palatable to rodents (such as rats) that it is possible to achieve a concentration of the systemic insecticide in the blood of the rodent that is lethal to blood feeding invertebrates (e.g. insects, such as mosquitos) by providing the rodent with feed which comprises the systemic insecticide, even when other food sources are available. As such, it is possible to control blood feeding invertebrates by orally administering systemic insecticides to mammals upon which the blood feeding invertebrates subsequently feed.

Thus, the present invention provides a composition comprising a systemic insecticide and a rodenticide.

The present invention further provides a method for controlling one or more blood feeding invertebrate animals comprising orally administering a composition comprising a systemic insecticide and a rodenticide to one or more rodents.

Additionally, the present invention provides the use of a composition comprising a systemic insecticide and a rodenticide in a method for controlling one or more blood feeding invertebrate animals and one or more rodents comprising orally administering a composition comprising a systemic insecticide and a rodenticide to one or more rodents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows mosquito mortality after introduction to rodents fed 4.74ppm ivermectin impregnated grain bait.

Figure 2 shows rodent consumption of grain bait and mosquito mortality over time when the mosquitoes were introduced to rodents five days after the rodents had been introduced to grain bait containing 4.74 ppm ivermectin and 25 ppm brodifacoum Figure 3 shows rodent consumption of grain bait and mosquito mortality over time when mosquitoes were introduced to rodents one day after the rodents had been introduced to grain bait containing 4.74 ppm ivermectin and 25 ppm brodifacoum.

Figure 4 shows rodent consumption of wax bait and mosquito mortality over time when mosquitoes were introduced to rodents one day after the rodents had been introduced to grain bait containing 4.74 ppm ivermectin and 25 ppm brodifacoum.

Figure 5 shows mean daily rodent consumption of wax bait and mosquito mortality over time when mosquitoes were introduced to rodents one day after the rodents had been introduced to grain bait containing 9.74 ppm ivermectin and 25 ppm brodifacoum.

Figure 6 shows mean daily rodent consumption of wax bait and mosquito mortality over time when mosquitoes were introduced to rodents one day after the rodents had been introduced to grain bait containing 14.17 ppm ivermectin and 25 ppm brodifacoum.

Figure 7 shows mean daily rodent consumption of wax bait and mosquito mortality over time when mosquitoes were introduced to rodents one day after the rodents had been introduced to grain bait containing 30.15 ppm ivermectin and 25 ppm of brodifacoum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising a systemic insecticide and a rodenticide. The inventors have surprisingly found that administering such a composition to a rodent which is subsequently fed on by a blood feeding invertebrate animal can control both the rodent and the blood feeding invertebrate animal.

In the first aspect of the invention, the systemic insecticide is preferably selected from avermectins, milbemycins, neonicotinoids, spinosyns, isoxazolines, biological insecticidal entomopathogens, viruses, fungal insecticides, and naturally derived insecticidal plant extracts, or any mixture thereof.

For example, the systemic insecticide may be a milbemycin, such as milbemectin, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin or lepimectin, preferably milbemectin. For example, the systemic insecticide may be a neonicotinoid, such as clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, nithiazine, acetamiprid, cycloxaprid, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, paichongding or thiacloprid, preferably imidacloprid. For example, the systemic insecticide may be a spinosyn, such as spinetoram or spinosad. For example, the systemic insecticide may be an isoxazoline, such as afoxolaner, esafoxolaner, fluralaner, fluxametamide, isocycloseram, lotilaner or sarolaner, preferably fluralaner. For example, the systemic insecticide may be an avermectin, such as ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin, emamectin, eprinomectin or selamectin, preferably ivermectin. For example, the systemic insecticide may be a biological insecticidal entomopathogen. For example, the systemic insecticide may be a virus. For example, the systemic insecticide may be a fungal insecticide. For example, the systemic insecticide may be a naturally derived insecticidal plant extract. For example, the systemic insecticide may be selected from milbemectin, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin, lepimectin, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, nithiazine, acetamiprid, cycloxaprid, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, paichongding, thiacloprid, spinetoram, spinosad, afoxolaner, esafoxolaner, fluralaner, fluxametamide, isocycloseram, lotilaner, sarolaner, ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin, emamectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin and selamectin, preferably milbemectin, imidacloprid, spinosad, fluralaner or ivermectin.

More preferably, the systemic insecticide is an avermectin, such as ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin, emamectin, eprinomectin or selamectin. Most preferably, the systemic insecticide is ivermectin.

The chemical structures of all of the pesticides mentioned herein are well known, and can readily be found, for example at www.alanwood.net.

In the first aspect of the invention, the composition preferably comprises from about 0.5 ppm to about 50 ppm of systemic insecticide, from about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm of systemic insecticide, or from about 5 ppm to about 45 ppm of systemic insecticide, or from about 10 ppm to about 40 ppm of systemic insecticide, or from about 15 ppm to about 40 ppm of systemic insecticide, or from about 20 ppm to about 40 ppm of systemic insecticide, or from about 25 ppm to about 35 ppm of systemic insecticide. Preferably, the composition comprises from about 25 ppm to about 35 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Alternatively in the first aspect of the invention, the composition preferably comprises about 0.5 ppm, about 0.6 ppm, about 0.7 ppm, about 0.8 ppm, about 0.9 ppm, about 1 ppm, about 2 ppm, about 3 ppm, about 4 ppm, about 5 ppm, about 6 ppm, about 7 ppm, about 8 ppm, about 9 ppm, about 10 ppm, about 11 ppm, about 12 ppm, about 13 ppm, about 14 ppm, about 15 ppm, about 16 ppm, about 17 ppm, about 18 ppm, about 19 ppm, about 20 ppm, about 21 ppm, about 22 ppm, about 23 ppm, about 24 ppm, about 25 ppm, about 26 ppm, about 27 ppm, about 28 ppm, about 29 ppm, about 30 ppm, about 31 ppm, about 32 ppm, about 33 ppm, about 34 ppm, about 35 ppm, about 36 ppm, about 37 ppm, about 38 ppm, about 39 ppm, about 40 ppm, about 41 ppm, about 42 ppm, about 43 ppm, about 44 ppm, about 45 ppm, about 46 ppm, about 47 ppm, about 48 ppm, about 49 ppm, or about 50 ppm of systemic insecticide. Most preferably, the composition comprises about 0.6 ppm, about 1 ppm, about 2 ppm, about 5 ppm, about 10 ppm, about 14 ppm, or about 30 ppm of systemic insecticide.

The above concentrations preferably refer to the concentration of systemic insecticide in a composition that is suitable to be administered to a rodent e.g. wherein the systemic insecticide and/or the rodenticide is impregnated into grain or another carrier matrix, or wherein the composition is formed into pellets, wax blocks, or pastes or gels based on fats and/or oils, as described below.

In the first aspect of the invention, the rodenticide is preferably selected from chloralose, cholecalciferol, brodifacoum, difethialone, flocoumafen, bromadiolone, difenacoum and other similar chemical compounds, as well as other less potent anticoagulant rodenticide compounds and fertility inhibitors or chemosterilants. More preferably, the rodenticide is selected from chloralose, cholecalciferol, brodifacoum, difethialone, flocoumafen, bromadiolone, and difenacoum, or any mixture thereof. For example, the rodenticide may be chloralose. For example, the rodenticide may be cholecalciferol. For example, the rodenticide may be difethialone. For example, the rodenticide may be flocoumafen. For example, the rodenticide may be bromadiolone. For example, the rodenticide may be difenacoum Most preferably, the rodenticide is brodifacoum.

In the first aspect of the invention, the composition preferably comprises from about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm of rodenticide, or from about 5 ppm to about 45 ppm of rodenticide, or from about 10 ppm to about 40 ppm of rodenticide, or from about 15 ppm to about 35 ppm of rodenticide, or from about 20 ppm to about 30 ppm of rodenticide. Most preferably, the composition comprises from about 20 ppm to about 30 ppm of rodenticide.

Alternatively in the first aspect of the invention, the composition comprises about 0.5 ppm, about 1 ppm, about 2 ppm, about 3 ppm, about 4 ppm, about 5 ppm, about 6 ppm, about 7 ppm, about 8 ppm, about 9 ppm, about 10 ppm, about 11 ppm, about 12 ppm, about 13 ppm, about 14 ppm, about 15 ppm, about 16 ppm, about 17 ppm, about 18 ppm, about 19 ppm, about 20 ppm, about 21 ppm, about 22 ppm, about 23 ppm, about 24 ppm, about 25 ppm, about 26 ppm, about 27 ppm, about 28 ppm, about 29 ppm, about 30 ppm, about 31 ppm, about 32 ppm, about 33 ppm, about 34 ppm, about 35 ppm, about 36 ppm, about 37 ppm, about 38 ppm, about 39 ppm, about 40 ppm, about 41 ppm, about 42 ppm, about 43 ppm, about 44 ppm, about 45 ppm, about 46 ppm, about 47 ppm, about 48 ppm, about 49 ppm, or about 50 ppm of rodenticide. Most preferably, the composition comprises about 25 ppm of rodenticide.

The above concentrations preferably refer to the concentration of rodenticide in a composition that is suitable to be administered to a rodent e.g. wherein the systemic insecticide and/or the rodenticide is impregnated into grain or another carrier matrix, or wherein the composition is formed into pellets, wax blocks, or pastes or gels based on fats and/or oils, as described below.

In the first aspect of the invention, the ratio of systemic insecticide to rodenticide is from about 100:1 to about 1:50, or from about 90:1 to about 1:42, or from about 80:1 to about 1:40, or from about 70:1 to about 1:30, or from about 60:1 to about 1:25, or from about 50:1 to about 1:20, or from about 40:1 to about 2:25, or from about 30:1 to about 1:10, or from about 20:1 to about 1:5, or from about 10:1 to about 2:5, or from about 6:5 to about 1:1.8, or from about 6:5 to about 1:5.

Alternatively in the first aspect of the invention, the ratio of systemic insecticide to rodenticide is about 100:1, about 90:1, about 80:1, about 70:1, about 60:1, about 50:1, about 40:1, about 30:1, about 20:1, about 10:1, about 6:5, about 1:1, about 1:1.8, about 2:5, about 1:5, about 1:10, about 2:25, about 1:20, about 1:25, about 1:30, about 1:40, about 1:42 or about 1:50. Preferably, the ratio of systemic insecticide to rodenticide is about 6:5, about 1:1.8, about 2:5, about 1:5, about 2:25, about 1:25, or about 1:42. More preferably, the ratio of systemic insecticide to rodenticide is about 6:5, about 1:1.8, about 2:5, or about 1:5.

In the first aspect of the invention, the composition may take any suitable form. For example, the systemic insecticide and/or the rodenticide may be impregnated into grain or another carrier matrix, such as: flour, cellulose-based plant derived products, corn cobs, wax, corn starch, corn meal, corn flour, potato starch, potato meal, potato flour, rice, rice flour, or nut meal. Alternatively, the composition may be formed (e.g. together with other components such as a carrier matrix as listed above) into pellets, wax blocks (e.g. moulded wax blocks, extruded blocks or cake, or compressed blocks), or pastes or gels based on fats and/or oils.

In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the systemic insecticide may be impregnated into grain. Preferably, the systemic insecticide is impregnated into grain is selected from oats, wheat, rice, barley, corn and millet. Most preferably, the systemic insecticide is impregnated into wheat.

In another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the rodenticide may be impregnated into grain. Preferably, the rodenticide is impregnated into grain is selected from oats, wheat, rice, barley, corn and millet. Most preferably, the rodenticide is impregnated into wheat.

In another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, both the systemic insecticide and the rodenticide may be impregnated into grain. Preferably, the systemic insecticide and the rodenticide are impregnated into grain is selected from oats, wheat, rice, barley, corn and millet. Most preferably, the systemic insecticide and the rodenticide are impregnated into wheat. For example, the appropriate amount of a systemic insecticide (e.g. ivermectin) is dissolved in a solvent (e.g. monopropylene glycol) before being added to whole grain wheat.

The composition may comprise further ingredients, for example feeding stimulants and/or attractants (e.g. pheromones, whole and processed seeds including cereal grains, sugar and sugar products, honey, meat and meat products including blood and fat, dairy products, eggs and egg products including shell and yolk, starch, whole and processed nuts, yeast, black pepper, vegetable oil, malt extract or peanut butter oil). The composition may also include other compatible excipients and/or adjuvants such as dye, bittering agent, solvent, flow agent, binding agent, weatherability enhancer, preservative and fillers.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling blood feeding invertebrate animals comprising orally administering a composition of the first aspect of the invention to one or more rodents.

In the second aspect of the invention, the blood feeding invertebrate animals to be controlled are preferably active during the day and/or exophilic.

In the second aspect of the invention, the blood feeding invertebrate animals to be controlled are preferably selected from mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and sand flies. More preferably, the blood feeding invertebrate animals to be controlled are selected from mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and sand flies. For example, the blood feeding invertebrate animals to be controlled may be fleas, such as those of the type Ceratophyllus gallinae, Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides can is, Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, Xenopsylla brasiliensis, Echidnophaga sp, Xenopsylla astia or Leptopsylla segnis, preferably Xenopsylla cheopis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, Xenopsylla brasiliensis or Leptopsylla segnis. For example, the blood feeding invertebrate animals to be controlled may be ticks, such as those of the type Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor andersoni, Dermacentor reticulatus, lxodes pacificus, Ixodes holocydus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, Ixodes spinipalpis, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes hexagonus, Amblyomma americanurn, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus simus, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Haemaphysalis leachi or Ornithodoros sp.. For example, the blood feeding invertebrate animals to be controlled may be sand flies, such as those of the type Phlebotomus sp. or Lutsomia sp.. Even more preferably, the blood feeding invertebrate animals to be controlled are mosquitoes, such as those of the type Culex spp. (e.g. Culex pipiens, Culex tarsal/s, Culex quinquefasciatus), Aedes sp. (e.g. Aedes aegyptii or Aedes albopictus) or Anopheles sp. (e.g. Anopheles freeborni or Anopheles quadrimaculatus). Most preferably, the mosquito is of the type Aedes albopictus.

In the second aspect of the invention, the blood feeding invertebrate animals to be controlled are part of a population of blood feeding invertebrate animals which has been established in a location which is difficult for humans to access. For example, said population of blood feeding invertebrate animals might have been established in a sewer, septic tank or similar subterranean structure that moves or retains water. Preferably, said population of blood feeding invertebrate animals might have been established in a sewer.

In the second aspect of the invention, the systemic insecticide is preferably administered to one or more rodents. More preferably, the systemic insecticide is administered to one or more rodents, such as rats or mice. For example, systemic insecticide may be administered to one or more mice, such as those of the type Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus domesticus, Apodemus flay/co//is, Peromyscus maniculatus, Mus musculus or Peromyscus leucopus, preferably those of the type Peromyscus maniculatus, Mus musculus or Peromyscus leucopus. Most preferably, the systemic insecticide is administered to one or more rats, such as those of the type Rattus rattus or Rattus norvegicus, and especially those of the type Rattus norvegicus.

In the second aspect of the invention, the rodents may be domesticated or non-domesticated. Preferably, the rodents are non-domesticated. More preferably, the vertebrate animals are rodents and considered to be pests.

In the second aspect of the invention, the systemic insecticide may be administered to the rodent indoors or outdoors. Preferably, the systemic insecticide is administered to the rodent indoors.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides the use of a composition of the first aspect of the invention in a method according to the second aspect of the invention.

The following clauses provide some exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Clause 1. A composition comprising a systemic insecticide and a rodenticide.

Clause 2. The composition according to clause 1 wherein the systemic insecticide is selected from avermectins, milbemycins, neonicotinoids, spinosyns, isoxazolines, biological insecticidal entomopathogens, viruses, fungal insecticides, and naturally derived insecticidal plant extracts, or any mixture thereof.

Clause 3. The composition according to clause 2 wherein the systemic insecticide is selected from avermectins, milbemycins, neonicotinoids, spinosyns, isoxazolines, biological insecticidal entomopathogens, viruses, fungal insecticides, and naturally derived insecticidal plant extracts.

Clause 4. The composition according to claim 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is an avermectin.

Clause 5. The composition according to clause 4 wherein the systemic insecticide is ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin, emamectin, eprinomectin or selamectin.

Clause 6. The composition according to clauses wherein the systemic insecticide is ivermectin.

Clause 7. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is a milbemycin.

Clause 8. The composition according to clause 7 wherein the systemic insecticide is milbemectin, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin or lepimectin.

Clause 9. The composition according to clause 8 wherein the systemic insecticide is milbemectin.

Clause 10. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is a neonicotinoid.

Clause 11. The composition according to clause 10 wherein the systemic insecticide is clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, nithiazine, acetamiprid, cycloxaprid, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, paichongding or thiacloprid. Clause 12. The composition according to clause 11 wherein the systemic insecticide is imidacloprid. Clause 13. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is a spinosyn. Clause 14. The composition according to clause 13 wherein the systemic insecticide is spinetoram or spinosad.

Clause 15. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is an isoxazoline. Clause 16. The composition according to clause 15 wherein the systemic insecticide is afoxolaner, esafoxolaner, fluralaner, fluxametamide, isocycloseram, lotilaner or sarolaner.

Clause 17. The composition according to clause 16 wherein the systemic insecticide is fluralaner. Clause 18. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is a biological insecticidal entomopathogen.

Clause 19. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is a virus.

Clause 20. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is a fungal insecticide.

Clause 21. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is a naturally derived insecticidal plant extract.

Clause 22. The composition according to clause 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is selected from milbemectin, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin, lepimectin, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, nithiazine, acetamiprid, cycloxaprid, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, paichongding, thiacloprid, spinetoram, spinosad, afoxolaner, esafoxolaner, fluralaner, fluxametamide, isocycloseram, lotilaner, sarolaner, ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin, emamectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin and selamectin.

Clause 23. The composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 wherein the composition comprises from about 0.5 ppm to about 50 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 24. The composition according to clause 23 wherein the composition comprises from about 25 ppm to about 35 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 25. The composition according to clause 24 wherein the composition comprises about 0.6 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 26. The composition according to clause 23 wherein the composition comprises about 1 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 27. The composition according to clause 23 wherein the composition comprises about 2 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 28. The composition according to clause 23 wherein the composition comprises about 5 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 29. The composition according to clause 23 wherein the composition comprises about 10 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 30. The composition according to clause 23 wherein the composition comprises about 14 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 31. The composition according to clause 23 wherein the composition comprises about 30 ppm of systemic insecticide.

Clause 32. The composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 31 wherein the rodenticide is selected from chloralose, cholecalciferol, brodifacoum, difethialone, flocoumafen, bromadiolone, difenacoum and other similar chemical compounds, as well as other less potent anticoagulant rodenticide compounds and fertility inhibitors or chemosterilants, or any mixture thereof.

Clause 33. The composition according to clause 32 wherein the rodenticide is selected from chloralose, cholecalciferol, brodifacoum, difethialone, flocoumafen, bromadiolone, and difenacoum, or any mixture thereof.

Clause 34. The composition according to clause 43 wherein the rodenticide is chloralose.

Clause 35. The composition according to clause 42 wherein the rodenticide is cholecalciferol. Clause 36. The composition according to clause 42 wherein the rodenticide is brodifacoum. Clause 37. The composition according to clause 42 wherein the rodenticide is difethialone.

Clause 38. The composition according to clause 42 wherein the rodenticide is flocoumafen. Clause 39. The composition according to clause 42 wherein the rodenticide is bromadiolone. Clause 40. The composition according to clause 42 wherein the rodenticide is difenacoum.

Clause 41. The composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 40 wherein the composition comprises from about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm of rodenticide.

Clause 42. The composition according to clause 41 wherein the composition comprises from about 20 ppm to about 30 ppm of a rodenticide.

Clause 43. The composition according to clause 41 wherein the composition comprises about 25 ppm of a rodenticide.

Clause 44. The composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 43 wherein the composition comprises systemic insecticide to rodenticide in a ratio of from about 100:1 to about 1:50. Clause 45. The composition according to clause 44 wherein the composition comprises systemic insecticide to rodenticide in a ratio of from about 6:5 to about 1:5.

Clause 46. The composition according to clause 45 wherein the composition comprises systemic insecticide to rodenticide in a ratio of about 6:5, about 1:1.8, about 2:5, or about 1:5. Clause 47. The composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 46 wherein the systemic insecticide is impregnated into grain.

Clause 48. The composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 47 wherein the rodenticide is impregnated into grain.

Clause 49. The composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 48 wherein the systemic insecticide and the rodenticide are impregnated into grain.

Clause 50. The composition according to any one of clauses 47 to 49 wherein the grain is selected from oats, wheat, rice, barley, corn and millet.

Clause Si. The composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 50 wherein the composition further comprises feeding stimulants, attractants, dyes, bittering agents, solvents, flow agents, binding agents, weatherability enhancers, preservatives and/or fillers.

Clause 52. A method for controlling one or more blood feeding invertebrate animals comprising orally administering a composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 51 to one or more rodents.

Clause 53. The method according to clause 52 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animals are active during the day.

Clause 54. The method according to clause 52 or clause 53 wherein the blood feeding invertebrate animal is exophilic.

Clause 55. The method according to any one of clauses 52 to 54 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animals are part of a population of blood feeding invertebrate animals which has been established in a location which is difficult for humans to access.

Clause 56. The method according to clause 55 wherein said population of blood feeding invertebrate animals which has been established in a sewer, septic tank or similar subterranean structure that moves or retains water.

Clause 57. The method according to any one of clauses 52 to 56 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animal is selected from mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and sand flies. Clause 58. The method according to clause 57 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animal is a mosquito.

Clause 59. The method according to clause 58 wherein the mosquito is selected from those of the type Cu/ex sp., Aedes sp. or Anopheles sp.

Clause 60. The method according to clause 59 wherein the mosquito is Aedes albopictus.

Clause 61. The method according to clause 57 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animal is a flea.

Clause 62. The method according to clause 61 wherein the flea is selected from those of the type Ceratophyllus gal//floe, Ctenocephalides fells, Ctenocephalides can/s, Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, Xenopsylla brasiliensis, Echidnophaga sp., Xenopsylla astia or Leptopsylla segnis.

Clause 63. The method according to clause 62 wherein the flea is selected from those of the type Xenopsylla cheopis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, Xenopsylla brasiliensis or Leptopsylla segnis. Clause 64. The method according to clause 57 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animal is a tick.

Clause 65. The method according to clause 64 wherein the tick is selected from those of the type Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor andersoni, Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes pacificus, lxodes holocyclus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, Ixodes spinipalpis, lxodes scapularis, Ixodes hexagon us, Amblyomma americanurn, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus simus, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Haemaphysalis leachi or Ornithodoros sp..

Clause 66. The method according to clause 57 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animal is a sand fly.

Clause 67. The method according to clause 62 wherein the sand fly is selected from those of the type Phlebotomus sp. or Lutsomia sp..

Clause 68. The method according to any one of clauses 52 to 67 wherein the rodent is a rat or a mouse.

Clause 69. The method according to clause 68 wherein the rodent is a rat.

Clause 70. The method according to clause 69 wherein the rat is selected those of the type Rattus rattus or Rattus norvegicus.

Clause 71. The method according to clause 70 wherein the rat is Rattus norvegicus.

Clause 72. The method according to clause 68 wherein the rodent is a mouse.

Clause 73. The method according to clause 72 wherein the mouse is selected from those of the type Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus domesticus, Apodemus flavicollis, Peromyscus maniculatus, Mus musculus or Peromyscus leucopus.

Clause 74. The method according to clause 73 wherein the mouse is those of the type Peromyscus maniculatus, Mus musculus or Peromyscus leucopus.

Clause 75. The method according to any one of clauses 52 to 74 wherein the rodent is either domesticated or non-domesticated.

Clause 76. The method according to clause 75 wherein the rodent is domesticated.

Clause 77. The method according to clause 75 wherein the rodent is non-domesticated.

Clause 78. The method according to clause 77 wherein the non-domesticated rodent is a pest.

Clause 79. The method according to any one of clauses 52 to 78 where the rodent has access to food sources other than the composition of 1 to 51.

Clause 80. The method according to any one of clauses 52 to 79 wherein the composition is administered to the rodent either indoors or outdoors.

Clause 81. The method according to clause 80 wherein the composition is administered to the rodent indoors.

Clause 82. Use of a composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 51 in a method according to any one of clauses 52 to 81.

EXAMPLES

The Examples which follow serve to illustrate, but do not limit, the invention.

Example 1-Rodent palatability test A choice test between a standard rodent laboratory diet and ivermectin impregnated grain bait was carried out to assess if there was any feeding inhibition with the addition of an insecticide. The standard rodent laboratory diet comprises barley, wheat, maize, soybean meal, wheat bran, hydrolyzed fish proteins, dicalcium phosphate, a pre-mixture of minerals, calcium carbonate and a pre-mixture of vitamins. Four different concentrations of ivermectin were assessed; 0.58 ppm, 1.16 ppm, 2.32 ppm and 4.64 ppm.

A known and equal quantity of standard laboratory diet and ivermectin impregnated grain was introduced into a cage containing an individual rat. The following day each food product was removed and weighed before being replaced. At this same time point the rodent was weighed to compare with the pre-test rodent weight. This procedure was repeated daily for 5 days with each ivermectin sample replicated 3 times. Throughout the study, rodents were provided water ad libitum.

The results of the choice tests are shown in Table 1. In summary, there was generally a higher consumption of the treated grain bait than the standard laboratory diet for each choice test (the only exception being day 4 of the choice test using grain bait impregnated with 1.16 ppm of ivermectin). Mean consumption of the grain baits declined over time with mean consumption of laboratory diet rising, however there was still a preference for the grain bait. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the mean consumption of the grain baits between the different ivermectin concentrations displaying there was no reduction in palatability with increasing doses of ivermectin up to 4.64 ppm.

Table 1-Results of the choice test of Example 1 Mean daily consumption (g) Day Ivermectin Ivermectin Ivermectin Ivermectin Grain Grain Grain Grain 0.58 ppm 1.16 ppm 2.32 ppm 4.64 ppm D1 Test product 26.7 20.0 17.3 23.7 Laboratory diet 2.7 9.3 4.3 1.7 % Preference for test product 90.9 68.2 80.0 93.4 D2 Test product 28.0 23.0 22.3 26.7 Laboratory diet 2.0 1.7 6.3 2.7 % Preference for test product 93.3 93.2 77.9 90.9 D3 Test product 18.7 17.0 16.0 22.3 Laboratory diet 6.3 13.7 10.0 2.7 % Preference for test product 74.7 55.4 61.5 89.3 D4 Test product 12.3 11.7 13.7 17.0 Laboratory diet 12.3 14.7 9.7 6.3 % Preference for test product 50.0 44.3 58.6 72.9 Example 2-Assessment of mosquito mortality through toxic blood meals The ability of the insecticide to kill mosquitoes when taking blood meals from rodents fed ivermectin impregnated bait was assessed through no-choice bioassay.

Twelve brown rats were separated into individual cages and fed either a diet of grain bait impregnated with 4.74ppm of ivermectin or plain grain. After 3 days of feeding, 30 female mosquitoes were introduced into the cages and allowed to feed on the rodents.

Mosquito mortality was assessed twice daily for the next 3 days. Throughout the test period the grain bait was replenished daily.

A maximum of 72% mosquito mortality was achieved after 3 days with 38% of mortality occurring just 8 hours after introduction (see Figure 1). Comparatively, less than 5% mosquito mortality occurred when mosquitoes were introduced to cages where rodents had been fed plain grain.

Example 3-Assessment of rodent and mosquito mortality from grain bait Rodents housed individually after a day acclimatisation were fed a diet of grain bait containing 4.74 ppm ivermectin and 25ppm brodifacoum. 30 female mosquitoes were added to the cages either one day or five days after introduction of the grain bait. Mosquito and rodent mortality was assessed daily until day 10 of the experiment. Bait consumption of rodents was calculated daily.

Results -mosquitoes added on day 1 Rodent consumption of bait declined after day 3 due to the toxicological effects of brodifacoum with a maximum grain consumption of 30g per day and all rodents dead by day 7. After 24 hours, 74% mosquito mortality was observed, rising to 100% mosquito mortality by days (see Figure 3).

Results -mosquitoes added on days Rodent consumption of bait declined after day 3 due to the toxicological effects of brodifacoum resulting in first rodent mortality occurring on day 4 and all rodents were dead by day 7. Mosquito mortality occurred on the first day that mosquitoes were introduced and peaked by day 7 at 11% (see Figure 2).

Example 4-Assessment of rodent and mosquito mortality in wax bait form Rodents housed individually were acclimatised for a day (day 0 of the experiment), and then fed a diet of wax bait containing 4.74 ppm ivermectin and 25ppm brodifacoum. 30 female mosquitoes were added to the cages after the acclimatisation day. Mosquito and rodent mortality was assessed daily until day 10 of the experiment. Bait consumption of rodents was calculated daily.

Consumption of bait by rodents was significantly lower when presented in wax form compared to grain, with on average three times as much bait being consumed in grain form than in wax form. This resulted in a lower mosquito mortality rate, with a maximum of 25% mortality achieved after 10 days (see Figure 4).

Example 5-Evaluation of ivermectin dose in rodent wax bait for mosquito mortality Rodents housed individually were acclimatised for a day (day 0 of the experiment), and then fed a diet of wax bait containing either 9.74 ppm, 10.17 ppm or 30.13 ppm ivermectin, together with 25 ppm brodifacoum. 30 female mosquitoes were added to the cages after the acclimatisation day. Mosquito and rodent mortality was assessed daily until day 10 of the experiment. Bait consumption of rodents was calculated daily.

When rodents were fed wax bait containing 9.74 ppm, mosquito mortality reached 30% after 10 days. All rodents were dead by day 7 even with the consumption of bait by rodents remaining low (see Figure 5).

Increasing the ivermectin dose to 14.17 ppm lead to mean mosquito mortality peaking at 44% by day 10, with no individual cage achieving over 50% mortality at any time point. Typically 6g of rodent bait was eaten daily until 100% of rodents were dead on day 7 (see Figure 6).

With a concentration of 30.15ppm ivermectin within the wax bait, daily consumption of rodent bait peaked at day 3 with a mean of 15g of wax bait eaten per rat, consumption then declined with first rodent mortality occurring on day Sand all rodents dead on day 7. Mosquitoes were introduced after the acclimatisation day with 66% mortality occurring 24 hours later and 90% mortality 4 days after. Mosquito mortality was directly proportional to the amount of rodent bait consumed with 10 out of 12 cages showing 100% mortality by day 4 with the remaining two cages having on average 25% mortality and only a mean daily consumption of 6.7g for the first 3 days, far below the average daily consumption seen in the other cages (see Figure 7).

Claims

Claims 1. A composition comprising a systemic insecticide and a rodenticide.
2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the systemic insecticide is selected from avermectins, milbemycins, neonicotinoids, spinosyns, isoxazolines, biological insecticidal entomopathogens, viruses, fungal insecticides, and naturally derived insecticidal plant extracts.
3. The composition according to claim 2 wherein the systemic insecticide is an avermectin.
4. The composition according to claim 3 wherein the systemic insecticide is ivermectin.
5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the composition comprises from about 0.5 ppm to about 50 ppm of the systemic insecticide, optionally wherein the composition comprises from about 25 ppm to about 35 ppm of the systemic insecticide.
6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the rodenticide is selected from chloralose, cholecalciferol, brodifacoum, difethialone, flocoumafen, bromadiolone, and difenacoum.
7. The composition according to claim 6 wherein the rodenticide is brodifacoum.
8. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the composition comprises from about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm of the rodenticide, optionally wherein the composition comprises from about 20 ppm to about 30 ppm of the rodenticide.
9. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the composition comprises systemic insecticide to rodenticide in a ratio of from about 100:1 to about 1:50, optionally wherein the composition comprises systemic insecticide to rodenticide in a ratio of from about 6:5 to about 1:5, further optionally wherein the composition comprises systemic insecticide to rodenticide in a ratio of about 6:5, about 1:1.8, about 2:5, or about 1:5.
10. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the systemic insecticide and/or the rodenticide is impregnated into grain, optionally wherein said grain is selected from oats, wheat, rice, barley, corn and millet.
11. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the composition further comprises feeding stimulants, attractants, dyes, bittering agents, solvents, flow agents, binding agents, weatherability enhancers, preservatives and/or fillers.
12. A method for controlling one or more blood feeding invertebrate animals comprising orally administering a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to one or more rodents.
13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animals are active during the day.
14. The method according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the blood feeding invertebrate animal is exophilic.
15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the one or more blood feeding invertebrate animals are part of a population of blood feeding invertebrate animals which has been established in a location which is difficult for humans to access.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein said population of blood feeding invertebrate animals which has been established in a sewer, septic tank or similar structure that moves or retains water.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the blood feeding invertebrate animal is selected from mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and sand flies.
18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the blood feeding invertebrate animal is a mosquito.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the mosquito is Aedes albopictus.
20. The method according to claim 12 wherein the rodent is a rat.
21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20 wherein the rodent is non-domesticated.
22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21 wherein the rodent is a pest.
23. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 22 where the rodent has access to food sources other than the composition of claims 1 to 11.
24. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 23 wherein the composition of claims 1 to 11 is administered to the rodent indoors.
25. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in a method according to any one of claims 12 to 24.