WO2008037046A1

WO2008037046A1 - Method and apparatus for ground pest control utilizing the application of a flame at multiple cavities

Info

Publication number: WO2008037046A1
Application number: PCT/BR2007/000263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduardo Novaes Ramires; Leonardo Rafael Deconto; Luiz Fernando Peracetta; José Domingos FONTANA; Francisco De Assis Marques
Original assignee: Set - Sociedade Educacional Tuiuti Ltda
Priority date: 2006-09-29
Filing date: 2007-09-28
Publication date: 2008-04-03
Also published as: BRPI0604164A

Abstract

Method and apparatus for controlling ground pests, particularly social insects such as ants of genus Solenopsis, which includes the insect known popularly as 'fire ant', as well as termites and other ground arthropods. The method involves opening a multiplicity of approximately tubular cavities (2) made with a perforating apparatus fashioned from a tube of steel or other material around the area where most of the animals occur, and the brief application of intense heat at the entrances to the aforementioned cavities, by means of an apparatus producing a directed flame (9). The method can therefore use, in the case of social arthropods, the structure of interconnected tunnels excavated by the animals themselves in their nests for propagating the heat, which is distributed more easily due to the multiple cavities made in the ground with the perforating apparatus, causing the immediate mortality of most of the individuals near the application areas, and subsequently generating a significant change in the nest micro habitat, in the case of social arthropods.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLING GROUND PESTS USING THE APPLICATION OF FLAMES IN MULTIPLE CAVITIES

The objective of the present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling ground pests, particularly social insects such as ants of genus Solenopsis, which includes the insect known popularly as "fire ant", as well as termites and other ground arthropods. The method #involves opening a multiplicity of approximately tubular cavities made with a perforating apparatus made with a tube of steel or other material around the area where most of the animals occur, and the brief application of intense heat at the entrances to the aforementioned cavities, by means of an apparatus producing a directed flame. The method can therefore use, in the case of social arthropods, the structure of interconnected tunnels excavated by the animals themselves in their nests for propagating the heat, is which distributed more easily due to the multiple cavities made in the ground with the aforementioned perforating apparatus, causing the immediate mortality of most of the individuals near the application areas, and subsequently generating a significant change in the nest micro habitat, in the case of social arthropods.

There are between 18,000 and 30,000 species of ants in the world, most of them social, with over 11,000 of these having been formally described. In Brazil approximately 2,000 species occur. Some of these species are considered pests in urban or rural environments. Ground ants, such as saubas or leaf-cutters (genus Atta) , or those from genus Solenopsis, where we find the much-feared fire ants, can cause significant economic losses and damage of variable intensity to human health. Termites are eusocial insects of order Isoptera, and encompass about 2,800 catalogued species around the world. They are best known for their economic importance as pests of wood and other cellulose- containing materials. The Termitidae family is very diversified, and includes about 85% of the species of termite that are known in Brazil. Among the Termitidae, many construct large and complex nests; some ingest wood, leaves, humus, and also cultivators of fungus, which do not occur in Brazil.

The effective control of ants, termites and other arthropods regarded as pests depends on the characteristics of the target species, the nature of the infestation and the nest location. Commercial chemical pesticides, in their wide variety of forms, still constitute, despite the risks to human health, the principal agents for controlling ground arthropods, particularly for social insects such as ants and termites. Other control methods, not based on chemical pesticides, are seldom used.

As stated previously, among the methods utilized for controlling ants and termites and other arthropods regarded as pests, the most frequent are those that utilize chemical insecticides administered by the agent directly on the located nests, or in the form of bait with insecticides. Control methods utilizing compounds with lower toxicity and residual polluting effect, such as the use of borates, have been developed such as disclosed for example in patent US006645949B1.

Various physical methods for control, avoiding the use of chemical pesticides, have been suggested. However, these physical control methods still are seldom used, because of difficult access to low income population, and also because of the questionable efficiency of various methods, or the high cost involved in using them. A common method, still popularly used, is the application of variable amounts of hot water on the nests of ants and termites. As an example, patent application PI9100122-6 is known, which describes and suggests a large reaming drill for the control of termites in pasture soil. Also known is patent US005870852A which describes an apparatus for injecting hot water into the nests of fire ants (genus Solenopsis) , which perforates the nest with a single cavity and diffuses hot water through the extremity of the apparatus, in order to exterminate the ants. Also known is patent USA 4.756.118, which describes a method and apparatus that aims to introduce intense heat, principally in the form of steam, mixed with insecticides, preferably pyrethroids, into the nests of fire ants (Genus Solenopsis) . The steam mixed with insecticides should, according to the description in the patent, diffuse throughout the nest, killing the ants that come into contact with it, and it also display a subsequent residual effect. The invention mentions that contact with the superheated steam can kill ants near the apparatus, solely through the action of heat. Also known are patents US20010054248A1, US5937572, USA 5960584 which propose the application of a substance based on Capsicum, which can be applied for the control of ground and residential termites, or in the form of steam in the ground. Also known is patent application PI9903664-9, which describes a fumigator for killing ants and termites, using exhaust from a tractor and insecticides mixed with the gases inoculated into the ground. For example, patent application PI9601966-2 is known, which describes a system for combating ants, termites and similar pests with nebulization through catalyzed combustion, with the tubes placed in the entrances to nests. Also known is patent application PI8902588-1, which describes an exterminating system for sauba ants. Along with the insecticide, one injects a heavier-than-air gas such as cooking gas, so that it will be possible to penetrate down to the deepest #kettles in the ant colony, where the #queen mother is sheltered. It is necessary to use an apparatus composed by a perforator, used for perforating the ground, and an applicator consisting of a tube that is sealed at the end, with small orifices along the sides near the tip, from which the gasified chemical product emerges. For example, patent application PI0301649-8 is known, which describes an insecticide applicator using fumigation.

None of the above-mentioned inventions mentions the advantage of utilizing multiple cavities near each other made for propagating the heat, or recommends that this manner of application be utilized. Nor is there mention of application of a flame solely at the surface of the ground, without needing to drive the heat producing device into the ground. The present invention, in contrast with those mentioned above, dismisses the mandatory use of "fog", smoke, vapor or chemical products utilized along with the application of the physical control method.

The present invention presents a method and apparatus that may or not include insecticides and other substances as an ancillary control method. The application of insecticides or other chemical substances, should it be chosen by the user, should be done only after the application of heat to all the cavities made in the area where there will be applied the control method described in this invention. The present invention contributes significantly to reducing the pollution of the ground by commercial or homemade chemical pesticides. The risk of accidents involving people due to the manipulation of boiling water, a do-it-yourself method, is also reduced. The equipment has very reduced initial cost, and similarly for operational and maintenance costs, compared to those mentioned above, and may be utilized by persons after brief basic training in the use of the invention and safety measures, given the simplicity of its use.

The following description and the associated figures, all provided as non-limiting examples, will allow the invention to be well understood.

Figure 1 presents a diagram for the perforating apparatus utilized to make multiple, approximately tubular cavities in the ground.

Figure 2 presents the diagram for the apparatus used to apply the directed flame.

The control method and apparatus of the present invention as shown in figure 1 involves a perforating apparatus that consists of an elongated piece of cylindrical (or other cross-section) solid metal; in the event that a hollow tube is used, the perforating extremity should be sealed. In both cases the perforator should have tips with an angle cut (1) to facilitate penetration into the ground or termite or ant nests, particularly for genus Solenopsis . Several holes (2) should be made around the area where most of the individuals of the pest that one wishes to control occur. In the case of nests (3) of Solenopsis , termites or other social arthropods, several holes should be made around the visible part of the nests, above the ground. The holes, in the case of Solenopsis or termites, do not need to be very near to each other. For Solenopsis a distance of up to 40 cm between the cavities was successfully used to control nests, in the experiments for verifying the efficiency of the method proposed in the present invention. For ants of genus Solenopsis , which has the majority of the individuals of the colony located near the surface of the ground on hot days, the holes should be at least 40 cm deep. The depth of the perforation depends on the characteristics of the ground at the time of the application of the perforator and the presence of stones or other objects that can hinder the penetration of the perforator. The perforating apparatus may contain, in a non-restrictive manner, grips for its manipulation by the agent (4), with graduated marks along it (5) to control the perforation depth, in addition to the possibility of an adaptation at the posterior extremity

(6), for striking with mallets or other blow-producing tools utilized to facilitate penetration into the ground.

An area may be delimited with #rims/flanges , without restrictions, for the application of solid Vaseline, grease, glue or other substance on the perforator, above the part that is driven into the ground, to prevent animals such as ants or termites from climbing the device and possibly stinging or attacking the person manipulating it. An additional hole (8) may be made in the center of the area to be covered by the action of the method proposed in the present patent, which hole may reach a greater depth than the other ones . Another sequence of holes can be made in the same vicinity, to cover an additional area adjoining (or not) the principal one, with the additional area containing individuals of the species of arthropod that one intends to control. It is suggested, in a non-restrictive manner, that the cavities made by the perforator always be arranged in isolated or concentric circles, to benefit from the area with the greatest possibility of propagation of heat due to the intercommunication of tunnels excavated by ants or termites . The quantity, diameter and disposition of the cavities may vary as a function of the specific characteristics of the species of ground arthropods to be controlled and the preference of the agents, it being suggested in a non-restrictive manner a minimum number of four holes.

The apparatus for producing the directed flame has a model, suggested in a non-restrictive manner, in figure 2. It should preferably produce flames utilizing propane gas, butane, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel in a non- restrictive manner. The flame (9) should be placed near the entrance of each of the cavities (2) and (8) made by the perforator described in the figure. The tube for directing the flame (10) should not be placed inside the cavity to avoid interrupting the supply of atmospheric oxygen, necessary for keeping the flame burning. The tube for directing the flame should have, at the extremity opposite the flame nozzle, perforations (11) to allow the entry of atmospheric oxygen for feeding the flame. The tube for directing the flame (10) is connected by means of a tube (12) with a gas-flow control valve (13) to the manipulation handle (14). A tube for conducting the gas (15), made of a flexible, preferably flame-resistant material feeds out of the manipulation handle. At the end of the gas conduction tube (15), near the gas cylinder (17) , there is a gas-flow control valve (16) . The tube is connected to a gas cylinder (17) containing propane, butane, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel in a non- restrictive manner. This gas cylinder (17) may have varied capacity, depending on the need for use and transportation. The flame (9) should be directed at the entrance to each cavity (8), aligned with their principal axis. It is suggested in a non-restrictive manner that the central cavity (8) be the last to receive the flame. The application time for the flame at each cavity is variable as a function of the characteristics of the species of arthropod that one intends to control with the present patent invention. For the control of Solenopsis invicta, a time of about 20 s at each cavity was efficient for controlling the colonies, with a flame fueled by butane gas. The temperature reached about 450 °C at the edge of the cavities, with this temperature being measured by an infrared thermometer and recorded immediately after the interruption of application of the flame. The heat generated by the flame propagates rapidly through the cavities excavated by social insects in their nests, also vaporizing the water present in moist soil, particularly for social insects. One can see steam and/or smoke issuing from the other cavities while the flame is applied to one of them, demonstrating the importance of these in allowing the propagation of the heat generated by the flame. The heat generated by the flame, which then propagates through the ground or through nest cavities causes immediate mortality of animals near the area delimited by the cavities or near to them. For Solenopsis, workers in laboratory tests died after 3 s of exposure to a 60 ^eC airflow moving at 5.5 m/s at a distance of 20 cm from the thermal blower, and only 1 s at 104⁹C . In the case of Solenopsis invicta, on a hot day most of the colony (workers, eggs, larvae and queens) is only a few centimeters from the surface of the ground, and concentrated in the small hill made by these animals above the ground. The ants try to maintain themselves, as well as the eggs and larvae that are carried by the workers, in locations where the temperature inside the nest is near 32 ^aC. In this manner, it is possible to reach one or more queens and other representatives of the reproductive caste, and exterminate most of the colony's larvae, eggs and workers with just one application. It is suggested that the method described in the present invention be applied on a hot day, preferably during the morning, to control Solenopsis colonies. We utilized the method on seven nests of Solenopsis invicta. In six nests an application utilizing seven cavities approximately 3 cm in diameter, one of which was central with six distributed in a circle and with a directed flame applied for about 20 s at each cavity, was sufficient to exterminate the colonies. In one of the colonies, due to its larger area, we did the application as described above in two adjoining areas. Since not all of the ants were in the nest at the time of the application, but some of them were out of the nest searching for food, we observed ants near the treated area for several days. In no case were the cavities made by the perforator covered over nor was the area of the nest renovated. In the case of an intact Solenopsis colony, we observed that cavities made in the nests using the perforator were covered over with material brought by the ants after hours or days, depending on the size of the cavity. About seven days after the application of the method, no more ants were observed in the area. For five months thereafter there still were no indications of recovery of the colony. This indicated that the present method eliminated most of the colony with the first application, including the queens, eggs, and larvae, preventing recovery of the colony. We utilized the method described in the present patent on a ground termite nest that showed no recovery of the area affected by the fire from the flame applicator. The rigid external part of the ground termite nest makes perforation difficult initially, but after overcoming this rigid layer, the perforator is easily introduced into the interior of the nest. After application of the method described in the present patent, a significant change occurs in the microhabitat of the area treated and the immediate vicinity, which can be harmful to arthropods, which previously maintained control of temperature and moisture in the area treated by the method proposed in the present invention. It is generally expected that there will be a reduction in moisture and a larger amplitude in the temperature variations of the area treated and its vicinity. In a non-restrictive manner, one may apply bait, chemical pesticides or repellent substances in the cavities, after application of the flame, as ancillaries to the treatment. The cavities, with a diameter of about 3 cm, do not pose significant risks to people or animals. For the application of the method described in the present patent in locations where there is a risk of vegetation catching fire, precautionary measures may be taken such as making small clearings around the area where the method will be applied or leaving a flame- smothering aid nearby. It is suggested that the agent use appropriate personal protection equipment . The objects and advantages arising from the present invention are illustrative of those that may be reached by the present invention and are not intended as exhaustive or as limiting the possible advantages that may be realized.

In this manner, these and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be apparent from the description thereof or may be learned by practice of the invention, both as embodied herein or as modified in light of some variation that may be apparent to those #skilled and knowledgeable in the art. In this manner, the present invention resides in the new methods, arrangements, combinations and improvements shown and described in this application.

Claims

1) "Method and apparatus for ground pest control utilizing the application of a flame at multiple cavities", characterized by the fact of utilizing an apparatus for perforating the ground and a flame-directing apparatus that guarantee the rapid propagation of heat throughout the treated area, where the action of the heat causes mortality of the pest arthropods, principally ants and termites.

2) "Method and apparatus for ground pest control utilizing the application of a flame at multiple cavities" according to claim 1 characterized by the perforating apparatus being: a) an elongated piece of metal that is cylindrical or with other cross-section, solid or tubular; b) by containing grips for manipulation (4) of the same by the agent ; c) by containing graduated marks (5) on the apparatus for controlling the depth of the perforation; d) by having the possibility of an adaptation at the extremity opposite (6) to the perforation point, for striking with a mallet or other blow-striking tool used to facilitate penetration into the ground; e) by possibly containing an area along the axis of the bar delimited by rims (7), for applying an isolator or repellent, which could be solid vaseline, grease, glue or other substance, above the part that is driven into the ground, to prevent animals such as ants, termites or other ground arthropods from climbing the apparatus and possibly stinging or attacking the person manipulating it. 3) "Method and apparatus for ground pest control utilizing the application of a flame at multiple cavities", where the flame-directing apparatus, in accordance with claims 1 and 2, is characterized by: a) generating a concentrated flame utilizing propane gas, butane, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel; b) by having a flame-directing tube (10) at the anterior extremity; c) by having, on the flame-directing tube (10) , at the extremity opposite the flame nozzle, perforations (11) to allow the entry of oxygen to feed the flame; d) by the flame-directing tube (10) being connected by means of a smaller-diameter tube (12) to the manipulation handle (14); e) and by having a gas-flow control valve (16) located near the manipulation handle (14); f) by having a flexible tube (15) for gas conduction made of an flame-resistant material and, at the end of the gas conduction tube, near the gas cylinder (17), having a gas- flow control valve (16); g) by having the flexible gas conduction tube (15) connected to a cylinder of propane type gas, or butane, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel, this gas cylinder may have varied capacity, depending on the need for use and transportation .

4) "Method and apparatus for ground pest control utilizing the application of a flame at multiple cavities", where the method is characterized by the fact that: a) the perforating apparatus is used to make several holes in the ground, around the area where most of the individuals occur for the infestation that one wishes to control, inclining the axis of perforation in such a manner as to have a convergence of all axes towards a central point; b) it is suggested, in a non-restrictive manner, that the cavities made by the perforator always be arranged in isolated or concentric circles, for better propagation of the heat; c) the propagation of heat is facilitated due to the tunnels excavated by social insects such as termites and ants, due to the intercommunication produced by the tunnels excavated by these animals, d) an additional hole may be made in a non-restrictive manner in the center of the area to be covered by the action of the method proposed in the present invention, which hole may reach a greater depth than the other ones; e) another sequence of holes can be made in the same vicinity, to cover an additional area adjoining (or not) the principal one, with the additional area containing individuals of the species of arthropod that one intends to control; f) the quantity, diameter and disposition of the cavities may vary as a function of the specific characteristics of the species of ground arthropods to be controlled and the preference of the agents; g) several holes should be made around the visible part of the nests located above the ground; h) a distance of 30 to 40 cm between cavities is sufficient for controlling Solenopsis; i) for ants of genus Solenopsis such as Solenopsis invicta it is more efficient to apply the method described on hot days, when the majority of the individuals in the colony are near the surface of the ground; j ) the flame generated by the flame-directing apparatus should be directed at the entrance of each of the cavities made with the perforating apparatus, aligned with the principal axis of the cavities, the flame-directing tube should not be placed inside the cavity to avoid interrupting the supply of atmospheric oxygen, necessary for keeping the flame burning; k) the application time for the flame at each cavity should be varied as a function of the characteristics of the species of arthropod that one intends to control, in the control of Solenopsis invicta, a time of about 20 to 30 seconds at each cavity with a flame fed by butane gas was efficient;

1) one may apply bait, chemical pesticides or repellent substances in the cavities, after application of the flame, to as ancillaries to the treatment.