JP2003144029A - Termite-monitoring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a termite-monitoring apparatus with which vermin damage information of bait can readily and quantitatively monitored. SOLUTION: This termite-monitoring apparatus has a bait storage space 1 which can hold an insecticidal component-containing bait 10 for termite and is equipped with an embedded body 2 which is embedded in the ground in a state that termites are allowed to enter the bait storage space 1, a station box B which is furnished with a lid member 3 to freely open and close the bait storage space 1 from the landside and a gas detection element 4 which faces the bait storage space 1 of the station box B and detects metabolic gas based on entering of termites into the bait for termite.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a bait accommodating space for accommodating a termite bait containing a termite insecticidal component, and is buried underground in a state where termites can enter the bait accommodating space. The present invention relates to a termite monitoring device including a station box provided with a buried main body and a lid member that opens and closes the bait storage space from the ground side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in termite control, there has been a strong demand for establishment of "control technology that does not release or leave foreign substances such as insecticides in the environment as much as possible". Especially recently
Research on less chemical and chemical-free control treatment is being actively conducted in the United States, Australia, Japan, and the like. In order to achieve such a less chemical, the technology of detecting the termite feeding site and the degree of damage at the earliest possible stage plays a very important role in termite control at the stage where there is little termite damage. Considered to have. In other words, if it is possible to detect termite damage at an early stage, for example, by conducting periodical termite damage investigations, it will be possible to replace the conventional method of drug use by spraying the drug over the entire area in which termites may live. It is considered that it becomes possible to control termites by limiting the use of the drug only to the part where the termites are actually active, which can contribute to the less chemical.

Therefore, there is a bait accommodating space capable of accommodating a termite bait containing termite insecticidal components (hereinafter simply referred to as a bait), and it is buried underground in a state where the termites can enter the bait accommodating space. Provided with a buried body, provided with a termite monitoring device provided with a station box provided with a lid member for opening and closing the bait storage space from the ground side, the termite monitoring device does not include termite insecticidal components in termite bait (Hereinafter, simply referred to as "bait") is stored and prepared in the ground, and the person in the termite monitoring device periodically patrols the bait to check the feeding damage status of the bait. The bait containing the termite insecticidal component was replaced with the bait contained in the termite monitoring device where the feeding damage occurred, and the termites that ate the bait were replaced in the nest. To insecticidal each entire termites have been made.

This method is for monitoring termites,
It is exterminated and controlled by three steps of baiting and re-monitoring. In other words, in monitoring, a station box containing bait that does not contain insecticidal components is buried in the ground, and the inside of the station is visually inspected regularly to check the activity of termites. In bait, the place where the termite is located is replaced with a termite bait containing a slow-acting termite insecticidal component. Most termites take the drug and watch the entire colony die for a few months. Re-monitoring will continue to monitor for new intrusions after the termites die and move to the process as soon as there is intrusion. That is, it is important in this method how to efficiently monitor the activity status of termites and the effects of termite insecticidal components over a long period of time.

[0005]

According to the above-described conventional termite monitoring device, the termite monitoring device installer must regularly patrol the feeding damage condition of the bait or bait for each termite monitoring device. Therefore, for example, even in a single-family house, it is necessary to provide 6 to 8 termite monitoring devices to monitor the termites of the entire house and monitor the termite invasion from all directions. Therefore, in order to monitor the feeding damage status of all baits and baits of each individual termite monitoring device, while patrol the installation location of the termite monitoring device individually, open and close the lid of the termite detection device to store bait Performing work to collect the baits and baits stored in the space, and estimate the habitation of termites from the feeding damage of the baits and baits,
A series of operations such as replacement and replenishment of baits and baits depending on the habitat of the termites must be performed, and it is a great task to perform such work for all termite monitoring devices every 5 to 10 days for a long time. It takes labor.

Even if the feeding damage can be detected in this way, it is difficult to quantitatively grasp the feeding damage condition of the termites because a person visually inspects it, and the feeding damage condition is objectively determined. There was a current situation that the skill of the worker was required to grasp the above.

Therefore, in view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a termite monitoring device capable of easily and quantitatively monitoring bait feeding damage information.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Generally, it is said that various metabolic gases are generated when termites eat wood or the like. The inventors of the present invention have considered that it may be possible to discover termites by detecting the above-mentioned metabolic gas from the recognition that there is a limit to the detection of termites based on the above-mentioned visions, and earnestly studied. As a result, they have found that the amount of metabolized gas of the termites can be grasped and the number of the termites inhabited can be estimated by using the gas detection element capable of detecting the metabolized gas, and the present invention was conceived. In addition, the present inventors have found that the above termite activity is
It has also been found to be closely related to outside air temperature and humidity.

Therefore, a characteristic configuration of the termite monitoring apparatus of the present invention for achieving this object is to have a bait storage space for storing a termite bait containing a termite insecticidal component, and to the bait storage space. An embedding main body that is buried underground in a state in which termites are allowed to enter is provided, and a station box provided with a lid member that allows the bait accommodating space to open and close from the ground side is provided, facing the bait accommodating space of the station box. The point is that a gas detection element for detecting metabolized gas based on invasion of termites into the termite bait is provided. As the gas detection element,
Hydrogen gas sensing elements are preferred. Further, it is preferable to further provide a temperature detecting mechanism for detecting the temperature of the bait housing space of the station box and a humidity detecting mechanism for detecting humidity.

Further, a plurality of the above-mentioned termite detection devices are provided, and each of the termite detection devices is provided with a gas detection circuit section for obtaining a gas detection output from a gas detection element,
A monitor device that receives gas detection output from each of the gas detection circuit units is provided, and based on the gas detection output, the monitoring device is provided with a notification unit that notifies the feeding damage status in the termite detection device, and a termite monitoring mechanism is provided. Can be configured. Such a termite monitoring mechanism, if provided with a temperature detecting mechanism for detecting the temperature of the bait housing space of the station box, or a humidity detecting mechanism for detecting humidity, the temperature detecting mechanism and the humidity detecting mechanism A temperature detection circuit unit and a humidity detection circuit unit that obtain a temperature detection output and a humidity detection output are provided, and a gas detection circuit unit that obtains a gas detection output from a gas detection element is provided. A control unit for driving the gas detection circuit unit is provided, and a monitor device for receiving the gas detection output from each of the gas detection circuit units is provided. Based on the gas detection output, the monitoring device is provided with a feeding condition in the termite detection device. It can be configured by providing an informing unit for informing.

[Operation and Effect] That is, the gas detection element for detecting the metabolite gas of termites can detect hydrogen, methane, various odorous components, etc. as the metabolite gas components of termites. Since the gas detection element is provided so as to face the bait storage space, the gas detection element can detect metabolic gas based on the invasion of termites into the termite bait in the bait storage space. That is,
The fact that the gas detection element detected metabolic gas means that
Invasion of termites into the bait housing space is recognized, and since the invading termites eat the bait or bait and generate metabolic gas, the invasion of termites is detected based on the detection of the metabolic gas. It was done. Further, as described above, it has been found that the amount of the metabolic gas generated depends on the number of the termites, and the number of termites inhabited can be estimated by grasping the amount of the metabolic gas generated. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the feeding damage by termites only by monitoring the concentration of metabolic gas in the bait storage space, which eliminates the labor of inspecting the bait and bait by opening and closing the lid of the conventional termite monitoring device. Therefore, it has become possible to easily understand the feeding damage situation of termites with a light work.

Furthermore, if the detection output of the metabolic gas obtained from a plurality of these termite monitoring devices is centrally received by a small number of monitoring devices and the monitoring device notifies it, the worker can monitor each termite monitoring device. It is possible to grasp the feeding damage situation of the termites in each termite monitoring device only by monitoring the notification unit of the monitor device for the work of patrol and inspection.

Incidentally, it has been clarified from the examples described later that a hydrogen gas detecting element is preferably used when detecting the metabolized gas.

When the atmospheric temperature is low to a certain extent, the termite activity becomes slow and almost no metabolic gas is released. On the contrary, when the atmospheric temperature is sufficiently high, the termite activity becomes active and the generation of the metabolic gas becomes steady. It has been found that the metabolite gas is detected by the gas detection element at a time when temperature and humidity conditions are suitable for termite activity, such as the warm season. On the other hand, when the temperature and humidity are low and it is not suitable for termite activity, such as during the cold season, the termite activity is based on the temperature detection output, such as increasing the detection cycle of metabolic gas. The termite monitoring device can be activated when there is a high possibility that there is a high possibility that there is no need for the termite monitoring device when there is no food damage. It can be prevented from consuming power, allowing operation with power saving. The same applies to atmospheric humidity.

Since the gas sensing element needs to heat the metal oxide semiconductor, which is a sensitive material, to a temperature suitable for gas sensing, it is often difficult to use a dry battery as a power source for a long time. However, if the power saving operation is performed as described above, even if the termite monitoring device is configured to be driven by a dry cell, it can be used for a further long period of time.

Further, if the gas detection output is wirelessly communicated to the notification unit, there is no need to perform wiring work outside the house, and the structure is highly convenient.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the termite monitoring mechanism of the present invention, for example, includes a plurality of termite monitoring devices S along the periphery of the house H in the site of the detached house H.
And a monitor device M for monitoring the gas detection output of detecting the metabolized gas from the termite monitoring device S is provided in the house, and the monitor device M is based on the gas detection output and eats termites. A notification unit 9 is provided to notify the feeding damage status such as the presence or absence of.

As shown in FIG. 2, the termite detecting device S has a bait accommodating space 1 capable of accommodating a termite bait containing a termite insecticidal component, and the termite invasion into the bait accommodating space 1 is prevented. An embedding main body 2 which is buried underground in a permissible state is provided, and a station box provided with a lid member 3 for opening and closing the bait accommodating space 1 from the ground side is provided, and the bait accommodating space 1 of the station box is faced. A gas detection element 4 for detecting metabolized gas based on the invasion of termites into the termite bait is provided.

The buried main body 2 is composed of a bottomed cylindrical portion 21 that is buried in the ground, and a flange portion 22 that extends radially outward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion. A female screw portion 23 for screwing and integrating the lid member 3 is formed in the vicinity of the upper end of the tubular member 21.
The inner space of is formed in the bait housing space 1. Also,
A large number of termite entrances 24 are provided on the side wall of the tubular portion 21.
Has been formed.

The lid member 3 has a short cylindrical shape in which a male screw portion 31 that can be screwed into the screw portion 23 is formed. A gas detecting element 4 is provided inside the lid member 3 and a gas is detected from the gas detecting element 4. A gas detection circuit section 5 for obtaining a detection output is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gas detection element 4 is incorporated in a bridge circuit, and the gas detection circuit section 5 is provided so that the bridge voltage can be obtained as a gas detection output.
Is configured. The gas detection circuit section 5 is provided as a unit section B together with the transmission section 6, and is attached to the lid member 3. The gas detection output obtained in this way is
The signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 6 connected to the gas detection circuit unit 5 to the reception unit 7 provided in the monitor device M.

A bait fitting 2 is provided inside the buried body 2.
5 is installed inside, and is sandwiched by a bait 10 having a split tube shape and made of wood as a main component, and is configured to be insertable into and removable from the bait housing space 1 together with the bait 10.

The monitor M is provided with a receiving section 7 that receives the signal of the gas detection output from the transmitting section 6 at regular intervals, and the signal received by the receiving section 7 is used as the metabolite gas concentration of termites or its concentration. A calculation unit 8 for converting the termite population number estimated based on the metabolic gas concentration is provided, and the calculation result obtained by the calculation unit 8 is used as the termite feeding damage information and the installation position of the termite monitoring device that issued the signal. A notifying unit 9 is provided for making a liquid crystal display in association with each other, turning on / off a lamp, turning on / off a buzzer, and the like. In addition, the notification unit 9 is configured to be capable of distinguishing and reporting the termite monitoring information obtained from each of the termite monitoring devices in accordance with the number of installed locations of the termite monitoring device.

Accordingly, if the termite bait (bait) containing no termite insecticidal component serving as bait is stored in the termite monitoring device arranged around the house H, the monitoring device can monitor the metabolic gas. When the occurrence is detected, it becomes possible to know that the termite feeding has started, eliminating the need for a person to regularly inspect the termite monitoring device for a long period of time, and the labor required to prevent termite feeding is minimized. Will be able to be suppressed. In this way, when the metabolic gas is detected, based on the termite feeding damage information estimated from the gas detection output, the corresponding termite monitoring device contains a termite insecticidal component in the bait storage space instead of the bait. It houses the termite bait (bait). Then, since the termites that have come close to the bait return to the nest with the bait, the termites that have eaten the bait weaken the nests and the entire colonies die during monitoring for several months.

As the gas detection element 4, for example, a hydrogen gas detection element, an odor detection element, a hydrocarbon gas detection element or the like formed as follows can be adopted (see FIG. 4).

Although FIG. 3 shows an example in which the transmitting unit 6 and the receiving unit 7 inside the metabolic gas detecting unit S transmit signals wirelessly, the transmitting unit 6 and the receiving unit 7 are connected by signal lines. It is also possible to connect with a power cable buried and wired in the ground to externally supply the power of the metabolic gas detection unit S. With this configuration, it is possible to monitor termites semipermanently regardless of the power consumption of the metabolic gas detection unit S. In such a method of supplying power from the outside, if a termite monitoring device is installed at the time of building a house in a newly built house, it will be useful for early detection before termite feeding damage to the house begins in earnest.

<Hydrogen Gas Sensing Element> Commercially available indium hydroxide (In (OH) ₃ ) fine powder is fired in an electric furnace to obtain indium oxide powder. This indium oxide was further crushed to obtain fine powder, and 1.3-
As a paste using a dispersion medium such as butanediol, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the noble metal wire 41 is covered and applied in a spherical shape, and after drying, an electric current is passed through the noble metal wire 41 and baked in air. Then, a hot-wire type semiconductor gas detecting element consisting of only the sensitive layer 42 was obtained. This hot-wire type semiconductor gas sensing element is impregnated with a solution of a salt of at least one metal selected from lanthanide metals, dried and baked to allow the sensitive layer 42 to carry various metals in the form of an oxide. The hot wire semiconductor type gas sensing element thus formed is used, for example, in a saturated vapor pressure (35%) of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS).
Heating in an environment of about 9 Vol% at 0 ° C. Heating
An electric current is passed through the noble metal wire 41 to generate Joule heat so that the entire sensitive layer 42 is adjusted to have a decomposition temperature of hexamethyldisiloxane or higher. Then, the hexamethyldisiloxane in the atmosphere is thermally decomposed and the sensitive layer 42
A dense silica thin film 43a is formed on the surface to be used as a hydrogen gas detecting element (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-2000).
-152831).

<Odor Detection Element> A constant aqueous solution was prepared using tin tetrachloride, and a tin hydroxide precipitate was obtained by adding ammonia water dropwise to the solution, followed by firing in an electric furnace at 600 ° C. for 2 hours. To obtain tin oxide. This is crushed into a fine powder,
Knead with water to make a paste. This paste is shown in Figure 4.
As shown in (b), it is applied as a noble metal wire to an electrode portion of an alumina substrate provided with a platinum thin film comb-shaped electrode 41 and a heater. After drying this, 1000 ° C ~ 1 in an electric furnace
The sensitive layer 12 made of a thick film of tin oxide is obtained by baking at a temperature of 400 ° C. for 2 hours to obtain a gas detection element. An aqueous solution of lead nitrate is added to the above tin oxide at 0.5 to 8 atm%
The liquid is adjusted so that the optimum addition amount is 2 atm%, and each liquid is impregnated into the sensitive layer 42. Further, this is dried at room temperature and then heated at 600 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain each oxide. Next, titanium oxide is pulverized into a fine powder, which is kneaded with water to form a paste, which is applied to the surface layer of the tin oxide sintered body. Further, after drying at room temperature, it is heated at 600 ° C. for 2 hours and sintered to form a catalyst layer. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 6-48394)

<Hydrocarbon Gas Sensing Element> A fine powder of indium hydroxide and an aqueous solution of tin chloride having a predetermined concentration are used, and 0.5 atm of tin is contained in the indium hydroxide.
%, And then dried at 80 ° C. for 24 hours and then fired at 600 ° C. for 4 hours in an electric furnace. The indium oxide thus obtained was further pulverized to have an average particle size of 1.
A fine powder of about 5 μm was formed. This fine powder is 1,3-
As a paste using butanediol, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), a platinum wire coil 41 having an effective dimension of 0.40 mm
(Wire diameter 20 μm, winding diameter 0.30 mm, winding interval 0.0
2 mm) with a spherical shape having a diameter of 0.45 mm and applied so as to cover the entire platinum wire coil 41. 80 more
After being dried at ℃ for 1 hour, an electric current is applied to the platinum wire coil 41 and the Joule heat is applied to calcination at 600 ℃ for 1 hour.
The sensitive layer 12 of the hot-wire semiconductor type gas detection element 4 was obtained. On the other hand, a commercially available mixed solution of tin chloride and cobalt nitrate dissolved in a predetermined concentration such that the cobalt is contained in the solute component in an amount of 0.1 to 2.0 atm% is prepared, and an aqueous ammonia solution is added dropwise, followed by hydrolysis. A precipitate was obtained. The generated precipitate was washed with distilled water to remove chlorine and other miscellaneous ions, and then dried at 80 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain a stannic acid gel. This was further pulverized and fired at 600 ° C. for 4 hours in an electric furnace to finally obtain 0.5 atm% cobalt oxide.
The contained tin oxide was obtained. This oxide was further pulverized to form a fine powder having an average particle size of about 1.0 μm. This fine powder was made into a paste using 1,3-butanediol and coated so as to have a thickness of 50 μm so as to cover the sensitive layer 42, thereby forming a coating layer (catalyst layer) 43c. Further, similarly, after drying, it was sintered in air at 600 ° C. for 30 minutes to obtain a hot wire semiconductor type gas detection element. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 09-299842)

As shown in FIG. 3, the gas detecting element 4 is used by incorporating it in a bridge circuit. That is, the fixed resistance R0 is connected in series to the gas detection element 4, and the combined resistance of the fixed resistance R1 and the fixed resistance R2 is set to the combined resistance of the gas detection element 4 and the fixed resistance R0. Sensing element 4, fixed resistance R1, fixed resistance R0
And the fixed resistor R2 are connected in parallel so as to face each other. Further, a gas detection circuit section 5 is connected which takes out a potential difference between the gas detection element 4 and the fixed resistance R0 and between the fixed resistance R1 and the fixed resistance R2 as a sensor output. In the gas detection circuit unit 5, the obtained sensor output is transmitted to the calculation unit 8 via the transmission unit 6 and the reception unit 7, and the calculation unit 8 is transmitted.
Is converted to the concentration of metabolic gas or the number of termites or the termite damage, and the numerical value is displayed on the notification unit 9,
The buzzer sounds and the detection result is notified.

According to such a bridge circuit, the supply voltage is E, the sensor output is V, the resistance value of the semiconductor gas detecting element as a whole is Rs, and the resistance values of the fixed resistors R0, R1, and R2 are R respectively. _{When 0} , R ₁ and R ₂ are satisfied, the relationship of Formula 1 is satisfied.

[0032]

[Equation 1]

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Regarding detection of termite feeding damage> Three types of semiconductor gas detection elements, the hydrogen gas detection element, the odor detection element, and the hydrocarbon gas detection element, were used to detect metabolic gas generated from the termites in the laboratory. Experimental method As shown in FIG. 5, polypropylene containers 100a and 100b
(Inner diameter about 54 mm, height about 80 mm, volume 725 ml)
The termite 101 is enclosed in a box so that a worker ant and a soldier ant have (a) 100: 10, (b) 200: 20, (c) 500: 50, (d) 1000: 100, On the lid 100b of the polypropylene container, the three types of semiconductor gas detection elements 4,
4 and 4 were directly attached to the polypropylene container 100a so as to face them, and the behavior of the metabolic gas generated in the polypropylene container 100a was examined. In the polypropylene container 100a, (1): a container containing a filter paper 102 containing water,
(Fig. 5 (b)) (2): Red pine tree sample 103 (30 x 30) containing water
(Fig. 5 (c)) (3): The red pine sample 103 together with the termites is placed in an upper open bottomed cylindrical container 104 in which the side wall 104a is made of acrylic and the bottom 104b is made of gypsum. As well as
The polypropylene container 1 outside the bottomed cylindrical container 104
Water absorbent cotton 105 contained in 00a (Fig. 5 (a)), (4): In addition to the conditions of (3), the termites that had been fasted for 2 days were used. (FIG. 5 (a)) was prepared under the four conditions, and the concentration of the metabolic gas was examined 3 hours after the encapsulation in each case. The following conditions (a) and (1) shall be marked as (a1), (e) no inclusion, (f) only filter paper impregnated with water, (G) Encapsulated only Japanese red pine sample containing water, (h) Carcass of J. termite (work ant: soldier ant, 200: 2
In the same manner, the case where only 0) was enclosed was examined.

<Experimental Results and Consideration> FIG. 6 shows the gas concentrations obtained based on the output of the gas detection element under each condition.
Shown in.

In the hydrogen gas detecting element, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), since no output is obtained under the conditions (e) to (h), it is less susceptible to the interfering gas and (a). ~
Under the condition of (d), the output increases as the number of termites increases, and it can be read that there is a high correlation between the detected concentration of hydrogen gas and the number of termites inhabited. Therefore, it can be seen that if the metabolized gas is detected by the hydrogen gas detection element, the damage situation by the termites can be confirmed particularly preferably.

On the other hand, when the odor detecting element is used, as shown in FIG. 6B, an output can be obtained regardless of the presence or absence of termites, and in particular, the odor of the red pine sample is directly detected. I can read that. Also, (g), (a4)
According to the tendency of ~ (d4), as the number of termites increased, the output due to the odor caused by direct termite feeding damage increased in addition to the odor of red pine samples, and the number of termites increased too much for the red pine samples. Then, it can be seen that the output for the odor has reached a peak as the degree of food damage reaches a peak.

That is, it was found that the generation of metabolic gas due to the feeding damage of termites had a correlation with the number of termites, and the generation of metabolic gas based on other activities of termites,
It can be seen that it can be detected separately from the generation of metabolic gas due to feeding damage. Metabolite gas generated from termites other than feeding damage of termites is considered to be due to (a1) to (d1), and (a2) to (d2), (a3) to
Referring to (d3), it can be seen that a factor that reduces the output to metabolic gas is occurring with the increase in the number of termites. Therefore, when detecting termites using an odor detection element, Applying a usage method that balances the above two factors and determines whether or not eating damage is occurring depending on whether or not the output based on metabolic gas has reached a predetermined level that is sufficiently higher than the odor of red pine itself. It is considered preferable to do so.

Further, according to the hydrocarbon gas detecting element,
As shown in FIG. 6C, it was found that high output was obtained regardless of the presence or absence of termites, and (e),
From the comparison of (f), it can be seen that the output is affected by humidity. Further, from (g) and (h), if there is a factor that absorbs and releases water and stabilizes it, such as carcasses of termites and red pine, it can be seen that the influence is suppressed.

Therefore, when a termite detecting device is constructed using such a gas detecting element, it is desirable that the gas guiding portion is provided with a dehumidifying filter as described in the above embodiment. Recognize. Also, (a1)-
Since (d1) shows that the detected amount of hydrocarbon gas is increasing based on the increase in the number of termites, the hydrocarbon gas detection element indicates that metabolism caused by factors other than feeding damage to termites is not observed. It suggests the possibility of being able to capture gas. That is, according to the hydrocarbon gas detection element, it is possible to obtain an output according to the absolute number of termites and detect the termites.

<Time Dependence of Increase in Metabolized Gas> Detection is carried out by the three types of semiconductor gas detecting elements: the hydrogen gas detecting element (a), the odor detecting element (b) and the hydrocarbon gas detecting element (c). The time course of metabolic gas was investigated. Experimental method A predetermined amount of the termite was enclosed in the same experimental container as above, and the time change of the output based on the metabolic gas from the termite was monitored by each gas detection element. As a termite, the ratio of worker ants to soldier ants was changed variously.
As a control, the same measurement was carried out for the case where only filter paper was used (c).

<Experimental Results and Consideration> FIG. 7 shows the changes over time in the output of the gas detection element under each condition. According to the hydrogen gas detection element, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), when there is no termite (c), the behavior of maintaining a low output level from the beginning of the measurement is shown, while 150 worker ants and soldiers In any case, the one using 50 ants (a) and the one using 200 worker ants (b) showed an increasing tendency in the output at the beginning of measurement, and (b) Then
About 1 hour later, it starts to stabilize at a low output, then gradually increases and finally reaches a stable state at a high output, while in (a) the output increases until it reaches a high output. You can see it continue. Therefore, it can be seen that the time change of the output can be clearly distinguished. It can also be seen that the output changes with time depending on the difference in the ratio of termite workers and soldier ants.

Further, according to the odor detecting element, FIG.
As shown in (b), in the absence of termites (c),
The behavior of maintaining a low output level from the beginning of the measurement is shown, whereas the output using 150 worker ants and 50 soldier ants (a) and 200 worker ants (b) After a sudden increase, the value stabilizes at a predetermined value. Therefore, it can be seen that the presence or absence of termites, the number of termites, the ratio of worker ants to soldier ants, and the like can be determined from the stable output value of the output.

Further, according to the hydrocarbon gas detecting element, as shown in FIG. 7C, when there is no termite (c).
Shows the behavior of maintaining a low output level from the beginning of the measurement, while the one using 150 worker ants and 50 soldier ants (a) starts the same measurement as with the hydrogen gas detection element. The output increased sharply from the beginning, and job ants 2
In the case of using 00 heads (b), the initial output starts to stabilize at a low output, after which the output turns to increase and finally reaches a high output. Therefore, it can be seen that the time change of the output can be clearly distinguished.

According to this result, the output change of each gas detection element in a standard environment and the output change tendency in the presence of termites are greatly different. It can be seen that the composition ratio can be determined. In addition, in FIG. 7, the measurement is performed based on the time after the termites are enclosed in the container. However, in the actual detection, the output is obtained in a situation where a sufficient time has already passed, so comparison is made. It is considered that the above tendency can be grasped in an extremely short time.

<Relationship between the temperature inside the station and the output of the gas detecting element> Three types of the hydrogen gas detecting element, the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are placed in polypropylene containers 100a and 100b as shown in FIG. Ants 150
The head and 50 ants, which were contained together with the Japanese red pine sample, were placed in a thermostatic chamber, the temperature was changed to -10 ° C to 40 ° C, and after 6 hours, the output of the hydrogen gas detection element was acquired.
The relationship between metabolic gas and temperature of the termite was measured. In this experiment, the bottom of the polypropylene container was filled with water so that it can be regarded as an experiment under high humidity.

<Experimental Results and Discussion> FIG. 8 shows the experimental results. From FIG. 8, it can be seen that the termites have a habit of changing their activity levels depending on the ambient temperature, and accordingly the emission levels of the metabolic gas also differ. Also,
It is considered that the amount of metabolized gas is less than 15 ° C and the termites have stopped its activity. At 20 ° C to 35 ° C, it is found that the gas emission tends to be stable, and it is considered that the termites are active. To be

Therefore, a temperature detection mechanism is provided in the station, and the temperature detection output from the temperature detection mechanism is 1
If the temperature is 5 ° C or higher, it is considered that the termites are active, and if a control unit for activating the gas detection circuit unit is provided, it is possible to accurately find the feeding damage by the termites. It can be seen that power can monitor termites.

<Humidity inside station and output relation of gas detecting element> Three types of hydrogen gas detecting element, temperature sensor and humidity sensor are placed in polypropylene containers 100a and 100b as shown in FIG. Ants 150
Put 50 heads and 50 ants together with Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) whose water content has been changed beforehand in a thermostat and keep the temperature at 20 ℃ or 3 ℃.
The output of the hydrogen gas detection element was acquired 6 hours after the temperature was kept constant at 0 ° C., and the relationship between the termite metabolic gas and humidity was measured.

<Experimental Results and Discussion> FIG. 9 shows the experimental results. The termites have a habit of preferring high temperature and high humidity, and the amount of metabolic gas released varies depending on the humidity. As is clear from FIG. 9, the metabolic gas depends on the humidity when the relative humidity is 60% RH or less, but the metabolic gas amount is stable when the relative humidity is 60% RH or more.
It can be seen that the activity becomes active when the value is H or higher.

Therefore, if a humidity detecting mechanism is provided in the station and the humidity detecting output from the humidity detecting mechanism indicates that the relative humidity is 60% RH or more, the termites are considered to be active. It can be seen that if a control unit that operates the gas detection circuit unit is provided, it is possible to accurately detect feeding damage by termites, and it is possible to monitor termites with low power consumption. Also, the temperature is 20 ℃
If the drive control is performed so as to detect the metabolic gas when the relative humidity is 60% RH or more, the termites can be more efficiently monitored, and the temperature detection output and the humidity detection output can be obtained. By calibrating the gas detection output based on the above and determining the feeding damage condition of the termites, the termites can be monitored more accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a termite monitoring mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a termite monitoring device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a gas detection circuit.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a gas detection element.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an experimental container used in Examples.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the detection results of termite feeding damage.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the time dependence of the increase in metabolic gas.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the ambient temperature dependence of metabolic gas.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the atmospheric humidity dependence of metabolic gas.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 termite baits 1 bait accommodation space 2 buried body 3 Lid member 4 Gas detection element

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshihisa Fujii             Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Sakyo Ward Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho Kyoto Univ.             Graduate School of Agriculture (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Yanase             Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Sakyo Ward Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho Kyoto Univ.             Graduate School of Agriculture (72) Inventor Kengo Suzuki             2-5-4 Mitsuyachu, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Issue New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2B121 AA16 BA13 BA36 BA58 EA05                       EA21 FA14                 4H011 AC03 AC07 BB22 DA01 DD05                       DG13

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A bait accommodating space capable of accommodating a termite bait containing a termite insecticidal component, and an embedding main body which is buried underground in a state in which termites can enter the bait accommodating space, A termite monitoring device including a station box provided with a lid member that opens and closes the bait storage space from the ground side, wherein the termite invades into the termite bait facing the bait storage space of the station box. A termite monitoring device equipped with a gas detection element for detecting metabolic gas. 2. The termite monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the gas detection element is a hydrogen gas detection element. 3. A temperature detecting mechanism for detecting the temperature of the bait housing space of the station box.
2. The termite monitoring device according to any one of 2. 4. A humidity detecting mechanism for detecting the humidity of the bait storage space of the station box.
3. The termite monitoring device according to any one of 3 above. 5. A plurality of termite detection devices according to any one of claims 1 to 4 are provided, and each of the termite detection devices is provided with a gas detection circuit section for obtaining a gas detection output from a gas detection element. A termite monitoring mechanism provided with a monitor device for receiving a gas detection output from a gas detection circuit part, and providing the monitor device with an informing part for informing a feeding damage condition in the termite detection device based on the gas detection output. 6. A plurality of termite detection devices according to claim 3 are provided, and each of the termite detection devices is provided with:
A temperature detection circuit unit that obtains a temperature detection output from the temperature detection mechanism is provided, and a gas detection circuit unit that obtains a gas detection output from the gas detection element is provided, and the gas detection circuit unit is driven based on the temperature detection output. A control unit is provided, a monitor device that receives gas detection output from each of the gas detection circuit units is provided, and the monitoring device is provided with an informing unit that notifies the feeding damage condition in the termite detection device based on the gas detection output. Termite monitoring mechanism. 7. A plurality of termite detection devices according to claim 4 are provided, and each of the termite detection devices is provided with:
A humidity detection circuit unit for obtaining a humidity detection output from the humidity detection mechanism is provided, and a gas detection circuit unit for obtaining a gas detection output from the gas detection element is provided, and the gas detection circuit unit is driven based on the humidity detection output. A control unit is provided, a monitor device that receives gas detection output from each of the gas detection circuit units is provided, and the monitoring device is provided with an informing unit that notifies the feeding damage condition in the termite detection device based on the gas detection output. Termite monitoring mechanism.