Insect bait

Abstract

An insect bait that can be carried by the insect, that includes a toxicant capable of killing insects in a nest, and that includes attractants, having at least one non-toxic layer that delays contact with the toxicant, wherein the size, shape and attractants attract the insect to take the whole of the bait to a nest situation where further manipulation of the bait by the insect will release the toxicant.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to a bait to be used in the eradication of insects, particularly European Wasps and their nests, where the bait can be carried by the insect to its nest.BACKGROUND ART[0002]The European wasp also commonly known as German wasp, yellow jacket, and hornet, is found in the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, North Africa, Asia) and has been introduced to countries like Australia, New Zealand, and North / South America. It is considered a pest in introduced countries because it damages ecosystems, taking natural food sources from other insects, which affects birds, other insects, and it ousts native wasps from their natural habitats. They affect the biodiversity of any area they inhabit and in New Zealand it has affected the honeybee population. It makes the top 100(98) of the Global Invasive Species list.[0003]They are an extreme nuisance to fruit-growers and the like, and to where food and drink are consumed, and to any outdoor activity because of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The current invention solves the problem of wasps needing a first lure and requiring a delayed-action kill and lower level of concentration insecticide / toxicant. It achieves a quicker kill-time by destroying nests at an earlier age before the larvae hatch and produce more workers. The spherical design of the bait is effective because it does not instantly allow the wasp to have the need to tear parts of the ball away from itself, giving greater flexibility in baiting preferences. The ball attractants should contain both sweets and meat scents to make the food source more attractive to the wasp and disguise the presence of foreign objects inside it. The bait is designed to be as smooth as possible and can have attractants added to it. The technical effect of this invention is to provide an effective and efficient solution to the problem of reducing the amount of waste and damage caused by wasps.

Problems solved by technology

It is considered a pest in introduced countries because it damages ecosystems, taking natural food sources from other insects, which affects birds, other insects, and it ousts native wasps from their natural habitats.

Each nest on average produces between 1 000 and 2 000 queens a season, and because they can travel a long distance to nest, they are a reoccurring problem even when all nests in the area are destroyed.

Destroying the nest is the most effective way to control wasps but locating or accessing it can be difficult.

Because European Wasps are attracted to both sweets and meats, they are omnivores, and sometimes feed on these at different times, it has been difficult to find baits that work efficiently and don't attract other insects / animals when only a single bait attractant is used.

Manual destruction of nests over large areas of shrub land is likely to be difficult and labour intensive.

However there is currently no universal commercial bait for wasp control.

In New Zealand poison must be mixed with protein-based bait, as carbohydrate baits risk poisoning bees.

However at certain times wasps are not greatly attracted to protein baits, which can cause poisoning operations to fail.

Fipronil is faster acting and equally toxic at concentrations 1000 times lower than sulfluramid.

Honey and corn syrup did not attract foraging wasps as effectively, even when mixed with beef.

This suggests the wasp may be harder to control in areas of its introduced range.

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