A geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station and its application

Abstract

This invention discloses a geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant bait station and its application. The bait station includes a shell with a unique stable equilibrium posture. After being randomly thrown, the shell can spontaneously adjust its posture under gravity and stabilize at the stable equilibrium posture. In the stable equilibrium posture, at least one entrance for red imported fire ants to enter is located on the side or end of the shell, and the entrance does not touch the ground. This invention achieves spontaneous orientation after throwing through the inherent stable equilibrium characteristics of its geometric shape, requiring no additional counterweights or insert structures, with only one part and an extremely simple structure. Throwing tests show that the success rate of preferred embodiments such as capsule-shaped and cylindrical shapes can reach 100%. This invention can be used for manual throwing or drone spraying, significantly improving the efficiency of red imported fire ant control, and the entrance not touching the ground effectively prevents rain and clogging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pest control devices, and more specifically, to a bait station for controlling red imported fire ants that uses geometric shapes to achieve spontaneous posture adjustment after being thrown, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Red imported fire ants are highly destructive invasive pests that pose a serious threat to agricultural production, the ecological environment, and public health. Among existing control methods, the application of chemical baits (granules and powders) is relatively common. However, traditional baits are directly exposed to the environment, making them prone to absorbing moisture and becoming moldy, which causes red imported fire ants to refuse to eat them, severely affecting the control effect.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies have developed physical bait stations, such as the device disclosed in Chinese Patent CN223772909U. These typically include multiple components such as a base, protective cover, cartridge, and insert rod, resulting in a complex structure. They require manual insertion and fixation during use, hindering large-area rapid application and incurring high manufacturing costs. More importantly, no existing technology presents a minimalist bait station capable of automatically adjusting its posture after application based on its own geometry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of existing red imported fire ant control bait devices, which require manual directional placement, have complex structures, and cannot be scattered. It provides a minimally shaped bait station that utilizes physical principles to achieve spontaneous directional placement, along with its application method.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: This invention provides a geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station, the innovation of which is that it includes a shell, the shell having a unique stable equilibrium posture; After being thrown arbitrarily, the shell can spontaneously adjust its posture under the action of gravity and stabilize in the stable equilibrium posture. In the stable and balanced posture, at least one entrance for red fire ants to enter the shell is located on the side or end of the shell, and the entrance does not touch the ground.

[0006] Furthermore, the geometry of the shell is one of an oblong body, a flattened spherical body, a flattened cube, or a cone.

[0007] Furthermore, the shell is a capsule-shaped shell, with a height greater than its diameter, and inlets are provided at both ends.

[0008] Furthermore, the housing is a cylindrical housing with a height greater than its diameter, and one or more insertion interfaces are provided on its end face. A channel is provided on the insertion interface, and one or more inlets are provided on the side wall of the channel.

[0009] Furthermore, the shell is a conical shell with a protrusion on the bottom surface and the inlet on the top.

[0010] Furthermore, the shell is a one-piece molded structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the inlet has a constricted structure, with its outer diameter being larger than its inner diameter.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner wall of the shell is provided with rough textures for the red fire ants to climb.

[0013] Furthermore, the shell is made of a biodegradable material.

[0014] The present invention also provides an application of a geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station, the innovation of which is that it includes scattering the bait station described above into the red imported fire ant activity area.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. The invention is the first to propose the design concept of "geometric self-stabilization": Existing technologies generally use external counterweights, bases, and poles to achieve the directional placement of bait stations. This invention breaks away from the above-mentioned technical biases, discovering and utilizing the physical principle of "geometry with finite stable equilibrium posture" to achieve spontaneous orientation with zero additional structure, which has outstanding substantive characteristics.

[0016] 2. This invention solves the technical challenge of geometric shape selection: Those skilled in the art typically believe that orientation can only be achieved through additional structures. Comparative experiments demonstrate that the true usability probability of a cube (6 stable orientations) is only 34.44%, while shapes such as oblong or conical prisms, which have only one or two symmetrical stable orientations, achieve a 100% success rate. This invention explicitly excludes shells with three or more stable orientations (such as cubes and regular polyhedra) because these shapes cannot guarantee that the inlet will be in an effective position after deployment. This selection is non-obvious.

[0017] 3. Minimalist structure, easy to spread, and highly adaptable: The bait station of this invention can be integrally molded with only one part, while existing technologies (such as CN223772909U) typically have ≥4 parts. Its minimalist structure allows for large-scale deployment via manual spreading or drone spraying, eliminating the need for manual placement and significantly improving application efficiency.

[0018] 4. Unexpected technical effects: After being scattered, elongated, flattened, and other shapes not only lie down spontaneously, but also ensure that the inlet is always located on the side or end without touching the ground. This direct correspondence between "shape and function," and the success rate of up to 100% (see example data), exceeds the reasonable expectations of those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 (capsule-shaped bait station) of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of Embodiment 1 (capsule-shaped bait station) of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 2 (cylindrical bait station) of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of Embodiment 2 (cylindrical bait station) of the present invention.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1-Upper shell; 2-Lower shell; 3-Conical inlet; 4-Central column; 5-V-shaped channel; 6-Inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0026] Example 1: Capsule-shaped bait station like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant bait station includes an upper shell 1 and a lower shell 2, which are combined to form a capsule-shaped shell (or can be integrally molded). The shell's length is greater than its diameter, specifically: 3.5 cm in length and 1.5 cm in diameter. A conical inlet 3 is provided at each end of the shell. This conical inlet 3 has a constricted structure, forming a constricted channel, with its outer diameter larger than its inner diameter (outer diameter 0.5 cm, inner diameter 0.3 cm). The inner wall of the shell has a rough texture (not separately marked). In its free state, this capsule-shaped shell has only one stable and balanced posture—the lying-down state.

[0027] Drop test: Thirty of the above bait stations were dropped from a height of 1.5m onto the ground. The results showed that all bait stations spontaneously adjusted their posture to a lying position, with the conical inlets 3 at both ends located on the sides and not touching the ground, achieving a success rate of 100%.

[0028] Example 2: Cylindrical bait station like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, a geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant bait station includes a hollow central column 4. V-shaped channels 5 are embedded at both the upper and lower ends of the central column 4. The V-shaped channels 5 are fixedly connected to the central column 4 by heat fusion or by molding in one piece. The V-shaped channels 5 protrude from the openings at the upper and lower ends of the central column 4 to facilitate better heat fusion. The ends of the central column 4 are chamfered. Multiple entrances 6 are provided around the V-shaped channels 5, each with a diameter of 0.3 cm and a constricted opening structure. The inner wall of the central column 4 has a roughened inner wall to facilitate climbing by red imported fire ants.

[0029] The shell is cylindrical in shape, with a length (5.5 cm) greater than its diameter (1.8 cm). In its free state, this cylindrical shell has only one symmetrical and stable equilibrium posture—a horizontal position (axis horizontal). In this stable posture, inlet 6 is always located on the side and does not contact the ground.

[0030] Drop test: Thirty of the above bait stations were dropped from a height of 1.5m to the ground. The results showed that all bait stations spontaneously adjusted their posture to a flat position, with entrance 6 located on the side and not touching the ground, achieving a 100% success rate.

[0031] Example 3: Conical bait station (unique stable equilibrium posture) A geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant bait station includes a conical shell with a 2cm high protrusion on the bottom and a V-shaped channel entrance at the top. The conical opening has a diameter of 2cm, and the entrance orifice has a diameter of 0.3cm, exhibiting a constricted structure. The shell is 6.5cm high and has a base diameter of 4cm. In its free state, the conical shell possesses only one stable equilibrium posture—a tilted-sideways state.

[0032] Drop test: 30 of the above bait stations were dropped from a height of 1.5m onto the ground. The results showed that 100% of the bait stations spontaneously adjusted their posture to a sideways position, with the cone-shaped entrance facing sideways and not touching the ground; the rest, although not completely sideways, still had entrances off the ground or were supported by protrusions to avoid blockage.

[0033] Comparative example: Cube bait station (with 6 stable equilibrium attitudes) The device uses a cubic shell with a side length of 5.6 cm and entrances on four sides. Under the same throwing test conditions (30 times, 1.5m free fall), only 34.44% of the bait landed optimally on the side after impact; the rest were either facing downwards or upwards, resulting in situations where rainwater entered through the upward-facing entrance and moisture was absorbed through the downward-facing entrance. This indicates that a shell with three or more stable equilibrium postures cannot reliably achieve the purpose of this invention.

[0034] Although the geometry of the shell in this application is one of the following: oblong, flattened, flattened, or conical, it is not limited to the above shapes and may include other shapes, such as egg-shaped or elliptical.

[0035] Application methods When controlling red imported fire ants, any of the bait stations described in Examples 1-3 above, or a mixture thereof, can be evenly scattered into the red imported fire ant activity area (such as around the ant nest) by manual placement or drone spraying. After landing, the bait station automatically adjusts to a stable posture, with the entrance facing sideways or end-facing, avoiding contact with the ground, effectively preventing rain and clogging. Red imported fire ants enter the shell through the entrance to feed on the bait, achieving the control objective. The bait station can be made of biodegradable materials and will naturally degrade after a certain period, requiring no recycling.

[0036] The above description is only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention and is not intended to limit it. Any other modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of the present invention, as long as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station, characterized in that, It includes a housing, which has a unique stable equilibrium posture: After being thrown arbitrarily, the shell can spontaneously adjust its posture under the action of gravity and stabilize in the stable equilibrium posture. In the stable and balanced posture, at least one entrance for red fire ants to enter the shell is located on the side or end of the shell, and the entrance does not touch the ground.

2. The geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The geometry of the shell is one of an oblong, flattened, rectangular, or conical shape.

3. The geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shell is a capsule-shaped shell, with a height greater than its diameter, and inlets at both ends.

4. The geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station according to claim 2, characterized in that: The housing is a cylindrical housing with a height greater than its diameter. One or more insertion interfaces are provided on the end face, and channels are provided on the insertion interfaces. One or more inlets are provided on the side walls of the channels.

5. The geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shell is a conical shell with a protrusion on the bottom surface and the entrance on the top.

6. The geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell is a one-piece molded structure.

7. The geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inlet has a constricted opening structure, with its outer diameter being larger than its inner diameter.

8. The geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the shell has rough textures for the red fire ants to climb.

9. The geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell is made of a biodegradable material.

10. The application of a geometrically self-stabilizing red imported fire ant control bait station, characterized in that, This includes distributing the bait station according to any one of claims 1 to 9 into the area where red imported fire ants are active.

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