MXPA99007054A - Sectional bait station - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and controlling termites. The invention uses a tubular body (12) with a triangular cross section to hold a cellulose bait (14) impregnated with a slow acting toxicant. The tubular body (12) is placed partly in the ground so that the length of the tubular body is along the surface of the ground. The top of the tubular body is transparent so that one can easily view the bait through the top of the tubular body.

Description

BAIT STATION IN SECTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to the control of termites and other social insects. In particular, the present invention relates to the control of such insects using an apparatus containing bait impregnated with a slow-acting toxicant. For an explanation of the social insects, see generally U.S. Patent No. 5,152,992. Said patent is incorporated by reference to the present specification insofar as it explains the social insects and their habits. In the prior art several techniques are used to apply fast-acting insecticides in, around, and under a structure to eliminate social insects, such as termites, in the structure. Vertical tubular stations were used to eliminate social insects in the land.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method for eliminating social insects in the earth. The invention uses a cellulose bait impregnated with a slow acting toxicant kept in a tubular container with a triangular cross-section, which is placed horizontally in the ground. The tubular container and the bait are designed to allow easy inspection of the bait without opening or moving the tubular container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the bait station of the invention. Figure 2 is a sectional view of the bait station of the invention shown in Figure 1, along lines 2-2. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bait station of the invention placed on the ground. Figure 4 is an exploded view of a bait station used in another embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bait station of Figure 4 along the cut lines 5-5.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the bait station of the invention 10. Figure 2 is a sectional view of the bait station of the invention 10 shown in Figure 1, along the lines 2-2. The bait station 10 includes a tubular body 12 and a plug 13. A cellulose bait 14 impregnated with a slow-acting toxicant is placed in the bait station 10. The tubular body 12 has a first side wall 16, a second wall side 17, and an upper wall 18, mechanically joined to form the tubular body 12 with a triangular cross-section. The first side wall 16, the second side wall 17 and the top wall 18 are rectangular, and have the same length 19. In this embodiment, the length 19 of the first, second and top side walls 16, 17, 18 is 31 centimeters. In other embodiments, the length may be in the order of from 2.5 centimeters to 1 meter. The first side wall 16 and the second side wall 17 have the same width 20. In this embodiment, the width 20 of the first and second side walls 16, 17 is 7 centimeters. In other embodiments, the width can be in the order of from 1 centimeter to 30 centimeters, the length 19 always being greater than or equal to the width 20. The first side wall 16 and the second side wall 17 have a plurality of holes 21. holes 21 are preferably between 1 and 6 millimeters in diameter. The holes 21 can have between 0.5 and 12 millimeters in diameter. An end wall has a triangular shape and is mechanically connected to the first ends of the first wall 16, the second wall 17, and the top wall 18. In the preferred embodiment, an adhesive is used to mechanically connect the end wall 25 to the first side wall 16, the second side wall 17, and the top wall 18. The top wall 18 is transparent. In the preferred embodiment, the first side wall 16, the second side wall 17 and the top wall 18 are mechanically connected forming the first side wall 16, the second side wall 17 and the top wall 18 of a single transparent sheet, which it is curved to provide three edges, thus forming a tubular body with a triangular cross section, where the edges define the first side wall 16, the second side wall 17, and the top wall 18. An open end is opposite the end wall , formed by unattached edges of the first side wall 16, the second side wall 17, and the top wall 18. A bottom edge 22 is the edge where the first side wall 16 is joined to the second side wall 17. A groove 23 is positioned adjacent the open end of the tubular body 12, across the width of the first side wall 16, the second side wall 17, and the top wall 18. The groove 23 has substantially rectangular cross section. The edge of the open end has a bevelled surface 24 around the open end of the tubular body 12. The cap 13 has a triangular end wall 29. Along the edges of the triangular end wall 29 there is an external flange 30 mechanically connected to the end wall 29. Within the outer flange 30 has a projection 31. In this embodiment, an adhesive is used to mechanically connect the outer flange 30 to the end wall 29 of the cap 13. The outer flange 30 and the end wall 29 can also be molded from of a single piece. A threaded hole 35 is made through the outer flange 30. The cellulose bait 14 includes one or more blocks 43 of a cellulose material. The width 44 of the blocks 43 is less than the width 20 of the first side wall 16 and the second side wall 17. The blocks 43 have a length 45 longer than the width 44 of the blocks 43. A first side 48 of the block 43 extends along the width 44 and the length 45 of the block 43. A second side 49 of the block 43 faces the first side 48 and extends along the width 44 and the length 45 of the block 43. A first plurality of slots 51 are cut in the first side 48 of block 43, where the first plurality of slots 51 are parallel to each other and are separated from each other. A second plurality of grooves 52 are cut on the second side 49 of the block, where the second plurality of grooves 52 are parallel to each other and are spaced from one another and where the second plurality of grooves 52 alternate with the first plurality of grooves. 51 as represented. The first and second plurality of slots 51, 52 have a width of 3 centimeters. In other embodiments, the first and second plurality of slots 51, 52 have a width of the order of 0.5 centimeter to 7 centimeter. Figure 2 shows how three blocks 43 of the cellulose material are placed in the bait station 10. The cellulose bait 14 is impregnated with a slow-acting toxicant. The slow-acting toxicant can be any toxicant that requires more than 24 hours and less than 6 months after the ingestion of a termiticide-effective amount to kill a termite. Slow-acting toxicants useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to: boric acid / borate, hydramethylnon, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., spinosyn A and / or D, and abamectin), insect growth regulators such as moulting disrupters or juvenile hormone agonists / antagonists, biological agents (ie living organisms or their reproductive stages), protozoacidae, known termiticides, slow-acting poisons or mixtures thereof. Specific examples of moulting disturbances include chitin inhibitors, in particular benzoylureas such as hexaflumuron. In practice, the bait 14 is placed in the tubular body 12. The blocks 43 are positioned so that the length 44 of the blocks 43 is along the length 19 of the tubular body 12, and the width 44 of the blocks 43 extends along a direction from the upper wall 18 to the lower edge 22, as shown in Figure 2. The plug 13 is placed on the open end of the tubular body 12 so that the outer flange 30 surrounds part of the first, second and upper walls 16, 17, 18. The projection 31 slides and locks with the slot 23 fixing the plug 12 to the tubular body 12. A screw 55 is inserted through the threaded hole 35 in the external flange 30 to fix plus the plug 13 to the tubular body 12. The bait station 10 is placed horizontally on the ground, so that the length 19 of the first side wall 16 is horizontal with the earth, as shown in Figure 3. The bait station 10 can be directly introduced into soft soil or a trench is dug just as long as the length 19 of the first side wall 16. The lower edge 22 is placed in the lower part of the bait station 10 on the ground, and the upper wall 18 is placed on the upper part of the bait station 10, slightly by above or almost level with the surface of the ground 58. The triangular cross section makes it easier to place bait station 10 on the ground. Once on the ground, the bait station 10 is capable of intercepting termites that pass underground in a horizontal direction. The termites enter the bait station 10 through holes 21, which are 0.31 cm (1/8 inch) diameter holes. Once inside, the termites begin to build tunnels of termites to the cellulose bait 14. The termites eat the bait, ingesting the slow-acting toxicant. The termites return to the colony before the slow-acting toxicant kills the termite, and they share the bait with the rest of the colony. This brings the slow-acting toxi-cante to the colony, thus killing the entire colony. ~ Thus, the invention provides a means for controlling a termite colony. The control of a termite colony means the following: kill the entire colony, or stop the destruction produced by the colony, or substantially eliminate the colony. The first and second plurality of slots 51, 52 improve the attractiveness of baits 14 for termites, since it is easier to construct termite tunnels in slots of such size. In addition, the position of the slots allows viewing through the upper wall 18 and inspecting the bait 14 to check the presence of termites and termite tunnels without moving or touching the bait 14 or station 10. The horizontal positioning also allows the easy inspection of bait 14, which can not be done with cement stations where the length of the station is placed vertically-on the ground. Since termites tend to move horizontally, just below the surface of the earth, the horizontal placement of the length of the bait station allows the bait station 10 to provide a greater area of protection. A plurality of bait stations can be placed end to end to provide a linear barrier, such as a circle around a house. In addition to facilitating the placement of bait station 10 on the ground, the triangular cross section and the absence of uncovered holes in the upper wall 18 contributes to preventing water from reaching the holes in the first and second side walls 16, 17. The holes 27 in the end wall 25 and the end plug wall 29 are inclined downwards as shown in Figure 2. so that the water passing below from the surface of the earth to the lower edge 22 on the outer side of the station, does not enter the holes in the end wall 25. The placement of the holes also contributes to maintaining the ground outside the tubular body 12. Figure 4 is an exploded view of a bait station 110 used in another embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bait station 110 of Figure 4 along the cut lines 5-5. The bait station 110 includes a tubular body 112 and a plug 113. The tubular body 112 has a first side wall 116, a second side wall 117, and an upper wall 118, mechanically joined to form the tubular body 112 with a cross section triangular. The first side wall 116, the second side wall 117 and the top wall 118 are rectangular, and have the same length. The first side wall 116 and the second side wall 117 have the same width. The first side wall 116 and the second side wall 117 have a plurality of holes 121. An end wall 125 has a triangular shape and is mechanically connected to first ends of the first wall 116, the second wall 117, and the top wall 118 In this preferred embodiment, the end wall 125 of the first side wall 116, the second side wall 117, and the top wall 118 are mechanically connected forming the first side wall 116, the second side wall 117, the top wall 118 and the end wall 125 from a single molded piece of transparent plastic. An open end faces the end wall 125, formed by unattached edges of the first side wall 116, the second side wall 117, and the top wall 118. A bottom edge 122 is the edge where the first side wall 116 is formed. joins the second side wall 117. A bait of cardboard 114 impregnated with a slow-acting toxicant is placed in a bait holder 128, which is placed in the bait station 110. The slow-acting toxicant can be any toxicant that requires more than 24 hours and less than 6 months after the ingestion of a termitically effective amount to kill a termite. Slow-acting toxicants useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to: boric acid / borate, hydramethylnon, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., spinosyn A and / or D, and abamectin), insect growth regulators such as disrupters of molting or juvenile hormone agonists / antagonists, biological agents (ie living organisms or their reproductive stages), proto-zoacides, known termiticides, slow-acting poisons or mixtures thereof. Specific examples of moulting disturbances include chitin inhibitors, in particular benzoyl-lureas such as hexaflumuron. In this preferred embodiment, the bait support is made of a rigid foam, such as Styrofoa ™, which is a rigid polystyrene plastic. The bait support 128 has a generally triangular cross-section so as to fit into the bait station 110. A slot is positioned in the upper part of the bait support 128, so that the cardboard bait 114 can be placed in the slot in the upper part of the bait support 128. As the bait of cardboard 114 is placed in a slot in the upper part of the bait support 128, the cardboard bait 114 can be seen by looking through the transparent top wall 118. In this preferred embodiment, the cardboard bait 114 is formed by a plurality of layers of on-dyed cardboard. The corrugated paperboard is formed from a piece of corrugated paper 130 sandwiched between and connected with adhesive to layers of flat paper 131. The corrugations of the corrugated paper 130 form protrusions and valleys that form holes between the corrugated paper 130 and the layers of paper plane 131. The projections and valleys move away from the upper wall 118, so that the operator can look through the upper wall 118 and through the holes between the corrugated paper 130 and the flat paper layers 131. The plug 113 is a triangular end wall. The plug 113 is mechanically connected to the first side wall 116, the second side wall 117, and the top wall 118 by an adhesive, sealing the cardboard bait 114 and the bait support 128 in the bait station 110. In the In practice, the impregnated cardboard bait 114 is placed in the groove above the bait support 128, which is then placed in the tubular body 112. The cardboard bait 114 is positioned so that the holes produced by the corrugated paper 131 extend. from the upper wall 118 to the lower edge 122, as shown in Figure 4. The plug 113 is placed on the open end of the tubular body 112, and is mechanically connected to the first, second and top walls 116, 117, 118 by an adhesive. The bait station 110 is placed horizontally on the ground. The bait station 110 can be pushed directly to soft ground or a trench. The lower edge 122 is placed in the lower part of the bait station 110 in the ground, and the upper wall 118 is placed in the upper part of the bait station 110, slightly above or almost flush with the surface of the bait station 110. Earth. The triangular cross section makes it easier to place the bait station 110 on the ground. Once on the ground, the bait station 110 is able to intercept termites that pass underground in a horizontal direction. The termites enter the bait station 110 through the holes 121, which are 0.31 cm (1/8 inch) diameter holes. Once inside, the termites begin to build termite tunnels through bait support 128 to carton bait 114. The termites eat the cardboard bait 114, ingesting the slowly acting toxicant. The termites return to the colony before the slow-acting toxicant kills the termite, and they share the bait with the rest of the colony. This brings the slow-acting toxicant to the colony, thus killing the entire colony. Therefore, the invention provides a means for controlling a termite colony. The control of a termite colony means the following: kill the entire colony, or stop the destruction produced by the colony, or substantially eliminate the colony. The corrugation in the cardboard bait 114 improves the attraction of the cardboard bait 114 for the termites, because it is easier to build termite tunnels in the holes formed by the corrugation. In addition, the position of the holes allows viewing through the upper wall 118 and inspecting the cardboard bait 114 to check the presence of termites and termite tunnels without moving or touching the cardboard bait 114 or station 110. Horizontal placement also allows easy inspection of cardboard bait 114, which can not be done with bait stations where the length of the station is placed vertically on the ground. Since termites tend to move horizontally, just below the surface of the earth, the horizontal positioning of the length of the bait station 110 allows the bait station 110 to provide a greater area of protection. A plurality of bait stations 110 end to end can be placed to provide a linear barrier, such as a circle around a house. In addition to facilitating the placement of the bait station 110 in the ground, the triangular cross section and the absence of uncovered holes in the upper wall 118 help to prevent water from reaching the holes in the first and second side walls 116, 117. The holes in the end wall 125 are inclined downwards, so that the water passing below from the surface of the ground to the lower edge 122 on the outer side of the station, does not enter the holes in the wall end 125. The bait holder 128 also keeps water away from the cardboard bait 114, preventing the cardboard bait 114 from degrading. Other embodiments of the invention may provide other types of plugs. Such plugs may also have holes. In other embodiments, neither the plugs nor the end walls have holes. In another embodiment, the adhesive can be replaced by making the legs form a single piece. The adhesive, the threaded holes, or make a single piece are several ways to mechanically connect the various parts. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (22)

Claims

1. A bait station, including: a tubular body, including: a first side wall with a length and width, and wherein the first side wall has a plurality of needles; a second side wall with a length and width, wherein the first side wall is mechanically connected to the second side wall along one edge along the lengths of the first side wall and the second side wall, and where the second side wall has a plurality of holes; an upper wall with a length and width, wherein the upper wall is mechanically connected to the first side wall along an edge along the lengths of the first side wall and the top wall, and where the top wall is connected mechanically to the second side wall along an edge along the lengths of the second side wall and the top wall; and an end wall where the end wall is mechanically connected to the first side wall along an edge of the first side wall along the width of the first side wall, and where the end wall is mechanically connected to the second side wall along one edge of the second side wall along the width of the second side wall, and wherein the end wall is mechanically connected to the top wall along one edge of the wall superior along the width of the upper wall; and a plug to cover an open end of the tubular body.

2. The bait station set forth in claim 2, wherein the top wall is transparent.

3. The bait station claimed in claim 2, further including a cellulose bait impregnated with a toxicant within the tubular body.

4. The bait station claimed in claim 3, further including means for mechanically connecting the plug to the tubular body.

5. The bait station claimed in claim 4, wherein the end wall is triangular, and wherein the plug includes: an end plug wall; an external flange, mechanically connected to the end plug wall, and a projection inside the external flange.

6 The bait station claimed in claim 4, wherein the end wall is a triangular plate and where the cap is a triangular plate, and where the cap is mechanically connected to the first side wall along an edge of the first wall lateral along the width of the first side wall, and where the end wall is mechanically connected to the second side wall along one edge of the second side wall along the width of the second side wall, and wherein the end wall is mechanically connected to the top wall along an edge of the top wall along the width of the top wall.

7. The bait station claimed in claim 6, wherein the end wall has a plurality of holes and where the plug has a plurality of holes.

8. The bait station claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of holes in the end wall are inclined downwards.

9. The bait station claimed in claim 6, wherein the cellulose bait includes a surface with a plurality of grooves extending substantially along the direction from the edge where the first side wall is mechanically connected to the second side wall at the upper wall.

10. The bait station claimed in claim 9, wherein the cellulose bait is wood.

11. The bait station claimed in claim 5, wherein the cellulose bait includes a surface with a plurality of grooves extending toward the top wall.

12. The bait station claimed in claim 11, wherein the cellulose bait is wood.

13. The bait station claimed in claim 3, wherein the cellulose bait includes a surface with a plurality of slits extending toward the top wall.

14. The bait station claimed in claim 13, wherein the cellulose bait is wood.

15. The bait station claimed in claim 3, further including a bait support within the tubular body and supporting the cellulose bait.

16. The bait station claimed in claim 15, wherein the cellulose bait is corrugated board.

17. The bait station claimed in claim 16, wherein the bait support is made of foam, and wherein the cellulose bait extends to an upper surface of the bait support.

18. A method for controlling termites in the ground, including the steps of: placing a cellulose bait impregnated with a toxicant through an open end of a tubular body in the tubular body, where the tubular body includes: a first side wall with one length and width, and wherein the first side wall has a plurality of holes; a second side wall with a length and width, wherein the first side wall is mechanically connected to the second side wall along one edge along the lengths of the first side wall and the second side wall, and where the second side wall has a plurality of holes; an upper wall with a length and width, wherein the upper wall is mechanically connected to the first side wall along an edge along the lengths of the first side wall and the top wall, and where the top wall it is mechanically connected to the second side wall along an edge along the lengths of the second side wall and the top wall; And an end wall where the end wall is mechanically connected to the first side wall along an edge of the first side wall along the width of the first side wall, and where the end wall is mechanically connected to the second side wall along one edge of the second side wall along the width of the second side wall, and wherein the end wall is mechanically connected to the top wall along one edge of the wall upper along the width of the upper wall; putting a plug on the open end of the tubular body; putting the tubular body in the ground so that part of the first side wall and the second side wall are below the surface of the earth, and where the length of the top wall is substantially parallel to the surface of the earth.

19. The method claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of placing the tubular body in the ground places the upper wall above the surface of the earth.

20. The method claimed in claim 19, further including the step of looking through the top wall to inspect the cellulose bait while the tubular body is in the ground.

21. The method claimed in claim 20, wherein the step of looking through the top wall to inspect the cellulose bait includes looking through grooves in the cellulose bait to search for termite tunnels in the slots in the cellulose bait.

22. The method claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of supporting the cellulose bait with a foam bait support in the tubular body. Summary The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and controlling termites. The invention uses a tubular body (12) with a triangular cross-section to hold a cellulose bait (14) impregnated with a slow-acting toxicant. The tubular body (12) is partially placed on the ground so that the length of the tubular body is along the surface of the earth. The upper part of the tubular body is transparent so that the bait can be easily seen through the upper part of the tubular body.