Variable-length device for destroying asian hornets and associated method

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100, 300) for destroying insect pests, which device contains at least one main tube (101, 301) mechanically connected to a technical tube (14, 34) by means of an adapter (13, 33), the technical tube (14, 34) being connected to a suction unit (31) at an outlet (15, 35), the outlet having a seal (154) for ensuring tightness between the device and the unit, the technical tube (14, 34) containing a removable cutting tool (16, 26, 36), the tool being made up of at least one sharp-edged element (161, 271-276, 371-378) passing through a section of the tool.

Description

[0001] Variable length device for destroying Asian hornets and associated method

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention belongs to the field of devices for eliminating unwanted insects such as Asian hornets by means of a suction device. The present invention relates more particularly to a device of variable length, which may in particular be telescopic, provided with a removable cutting system, comprising at least one fixed cutting element, as well as a method for eliminating unwanted insects using such a device.

[0004] The present invention finds a direct application in the fight against the proliferation of Asian hornets without the use of insecticides or other synthetic chemical products presenting risks to health and the environment.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] In France, for example, the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) was formally reported in 2005, the date from which the species became acclimatized and colonized all the departments.

[0007] At the European level, the Asian hornet is also present in other countries including Spain, Portugal, Italy, etc.

[0008] The presence of the Asian hornet in these new territories, which have no natural predators, is disrupting the balance of biodiversity.

[0009] A well-known and publicized example is the threat posed by the Asian hornet to other insect species, particularly bee colonies, for which significant population declines have been observed in recent years. Some of these declines have been attributed to massive attacks by Asian hornets. Indeed, the latter feed their larvae on bees, which are rich in protein.

[0010] The damage caused in regions where the Asian hornet is not naturally present is not negligible, particularly for beekeeping activities, and environmental impacts must also be considered, as bees play an important role in the pollination of flowers and fruit trees. The risks to humans, however, remain low. On the other hand, it is encouraged to trap Asian hornets and destroy their nests, particularly between February and November, and preferably at times when the colony is least active, i.e., at dawn or dusk.

[0011] In order to combat the proliferation of the Asian hornet, different methods exist. First of all, there are so-called "selective" insect traps as described in documents EP2883452A1 and WO2019162893A1. The basic principle is to attract the hornets by means of a bait / stimuli (sound, electromagnetic, visual, chemical or biological) and to capture them in a trap sized so that they cannot escape, unlike other smaller insects (bees, etc.). Even if the interest of this type of trap is recognized, and despite the sizing of the mesh, other species of insects can also be trapped which, a posteriori, reduces their effectiveness in achieving the desired objective of reducing Asian hornet populations without impacting the surrounding ecosystem.

[0012] Another aspect of the fight against the proliferation of the Asian hornet consists of eliminating the insects at their nests and destroying them.

[0013] As examples, documents FR3030190A1 and FR3071702A1 describe methods and devices for spraying insecticides, or similar, into hornet nests, by means of firing projectiles, thus placing the operator at a distance from said nests.

[0014] In the case of document FR3030190A1, the insecticide is contained in balls which are then fired using an air gun. The number of balls to be fired depends on the size of the nest to be treated. However, even with the help of a targeting system, balls may not reach their target and thus end up in the environment and cause negative effects.

[0015] Document FR3071702A1 proposes a solution that would reduce this phenomenon of "lost balls" by propelling an arrow containing the insecticide using a crossbow or a bow. In these two examples, the solutions described involve the use of chemical products, which are not without risk for the environment, and the means used to implement these solutions are complex.

[0016] There are currently no solutions for controlling the Asian hornet that do not have negative side effects and do not present disadvantages.

[0017] The problems caused by the presence of the Asian hornet in our environments are increasingly being taken into consideration, and studies are still being carried out by institutions to improve techniques for regulating Asian hornet populations.

[0018] PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention then proposes an innovative and complementary solution to the means of combating the proliferation of the Asian hornet, with an easy-to-use and environmentally friendly device. This device makes it possible to eliminate Asian hornets and destroy their nests, by means of a conduit of variable length comprising sharp elements, said conduit being connected to a suction means.

[0020] This device is an effective means of combating the proliferation of Asian hornets, where it is considered an invasive species.

[0021] This is an additional option allowing the regulation of this species, while having the advantage of preserving the fauna and flora found around the treated nests.

[0022] To this end, the present invention relates to a device for the destruction of harmful insects, containing a conduit of variable length which, in the case of a particular embodiment called "telescopic", comprises at least one main tube containing at least one secondary tube of smaller diameter and concentric in order to guarantee the sealing of said conduit when it is assembled. Other embodiments may contain only the main tube and which has different lengths in order to adapt to the use.

[0023] The main tube is connected to a technical tube by means of an adapter, by screwing, or by any other means allowing mechanical maintenance between these two elements. The technical tube is connected to a suction unit in a sealed manner by means of a seal. This device is remarkable in that the technical tube contains a cutting tool which is removable, and which is composed of at least one cutting element.

[0024] According to a first embodiment, the cutting tool of the device comprises five cutting elements which are distributed in three rows along said tool, a first row containing one cutting element, and a second and a third row each containing two cutting elements.

[0025] Advantageously, the two cutting elements of the second row and the two cutting elements of the third row are arranged on either side of the axis passing perpendicularly through the cutting element of the first row at its center. Preferably, the angle between the cutting elements and the central axis is 15°, and the cutting elements of the second row are arranged in such a way that they partly form a "V", while the cutting elements of the third row partly form an "inverted V".

[0026] According to a particular feature, and in order to maximize the cutting effect, the cutting elements of the second and third row have a cutting angle of 120°.

[0027] According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the cutting tool is made of metal, said tool comprising cutting elements also made of metal which are welded to the inner wall of said tool.

[0028] According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the cutting tool is made of a plastic material, said tool comprising metal cutting elements which are glued to the inner wall of said tool.

[0029] According to a second embodiment of the device, the cutting tool is composed of at least two cutting elements, each of said cutting elements being arranged on a rotating element. Advantageously, this functionality makes it possible to adjust the arrangement of the cutting elements inside the cutting tool, and this in order to be able to modify the inter-element passage space to adapt it to the needs of the use.

[0030] Advantageously, one end of the device is covered by removable colored and / or light-reflecting elements.

[0031] Advantageously, the technical tube of the device is transparent in order to visualize the cutting tool and to be able to control it when said device is in use. Another object of the invention is a suction system or unit, operating on battery or being connected to an electricity source, characterized in that it comprises a device containing a cutting tool as shown.

[0032] Finally, the present invention also relates to a method of using the device by an operator having connected said device to a suction unit, characterized in that it consists of sucking up a colony of insects of the Asian hornet type or similar located near a nest, the unwanted insects which are sucked up being cut by means of the cutting tool, and the remains of the bodies of which are then recovered in a tank, in order to eliminate them, said tool being removable to be inspected at any time and cleaned.

[0033] The fundamental concepts of the invention having been set out above in their most basic form, other details and characteristics will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows and with reference to the attached drawings.

[0034] PRESENTATION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The figures are provided for purely illustrative purposes to provide a better understanding of the invention without limiting its scope. The various elements may be represented schematically and are not necessarily on the same scale. Throughout the figures, identical or equivalent elements bear the same numerical reference.

[0036] It is thus illustrated in:

[0037] [Fig. 1]: a perspective view of a variable length device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0038] [Fig. 2]: an exploded perspective view of the variable length device;

[0039] [Fig. 3]: A side view of the retracted variable length device;

[0040] [Fig. 4]: a section along plane AA of figure 3;

[0041] [Fig. 5]: a rear perspective view of a cutting tool of the device in (a), a first side view, parallel to a cutting element of the first row, of the cutting tool in (b), a second side view, perpendicular to the cutting element of the first row, of the cutting tool in (c), a top view of the cutting tool in (d), a section along plane AA of Figure 5 in configuration (d) in (e), a section along plane BB of Figure 5 in configuration (d) in (f), and a section along plane CC of Figure 5 in configuration (d) in (g); [Fig. 6]: a rear perspective view of a cutting element of the variable length device, of a second embodiment in (a) and a top view of the cutting element of Figure 6 in configuration (a) in (b);

[0042] [Fig. 7]: a side perspective view of a cutting tool of the variable length device, according to a third embodiment;

[0043] [Fig. 8]: another side perspective view of the cutting tool of the variable length device, according to the third embodiment;

[0044] [Fig. 9]: a side view of a variable length device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0045] [Fig. 10]: a detailed view of a section along plane AA of figure 9;

[0046] [Fig. 11]: a representation of the use by an operator of the variable length device according to the invention.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0048] It should be noted that certain technical elements well known to those skilled in the art are described herein to avoid any insufficiency or ambiguity in the understanding of the present invention.

[0049] In the embodiment described below, reference is made to a device of variable length containing a cutting element comprising at least one cutting element, such as a blade or a cutting wire, said device being connected by means of a hose to suction equipment, which may be for example a vacuum cleaner, or any unit creating an air depression generating an incoming flow which is then channeled, said unit being able to operate on battery or by being connected to a source of electricity (electrical network or any other system producing electricity).

[0050] Thus, the suction unit can be a remote unit by means of a flexible hose of variable length if this does not hinder the suction power of said unit.

[0051] Figure 1 and Figure 2 represent a particular embodiment of a device 100 mainly comprising a telescopic conduit 10, a plug

[0052] 12 allowing said conduit to be closed when the device 100 is retracted, a technical tube 14 provided with a cutting tool 16 and having an outlet 15 comprising a rubber seal 154, of conical shape, and the dimensions of which are compatible with the majority of the hoses of the suction units.

[0053] According to the example illustrated, the telescopic conduit 10 comprises six concentric and self-locking tubes 101-106, made of composite material, approximately 50 cm in length, and with a diameter of between 2 and 4 cm. The six tubes 101-106 slide into each other, in order to form a conduit 10 with a total length of the order of 3.5 m in the deployed position, for this embodiment.

[0054] Since the device 100 is made of lightweight materials, it can be handled without difficulty by being supported only by arm strength.

[0055] When the telescopic conduit 10 is not deployed, the opening of said conduit can be closed by means of a plug 12, preferably made of rubber, the internal diameter of which is adapted to the external diameter of the main tube 101 in order to hold said plug in place. The presence of the plug 12 then makes it possible to retain the secondary tubes 102-106 located inside the main tube 101 when the device 100 is stored or when it needs to be moved. The device 100 is then compact and takes up little space once the five secondary tubes 102-106 are stored in the main tube 101, said device measuring approximately 80 cm, which greatly facilitates its storage.

[0056] When the telescopic conduit 10 is deployed, the latter, as mentioned above, has a total length which is ideally of the order of 3.5 m, without this being a limiting factor of the device 100, other conduits 10 of different lengths being able to be used, said conduits being able to be shorter or longer depending on the needs, and comprising a different number of tubes. In all cases, the conduit 10 comprises at least one main tube.

[0057] In addition, the concentricity and perfect interlocking of the tubes 101-106 ensures the sealing of the conduit 10 when said tubes are deployed, the tubes 101-106 each having an external diameter which varies substantially longitudinally and allowing them to slide up to a certain point, where the external diameter located at their base, is perfectly adjusted to the internal diameter of the following tube. The assembly of the main tube with the secondary tube(s) can be carried out by means of other techniques known to those skilled in the art such as by twist locking or by screwing, for example.

[0058] The design of the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 thus prevents the passage of air at the inter-tube junctions J, the tubes 101-106 fitting into each other with minimum functional clearance. This has the effect of maximizing the speed of the air flow in the lower part of the duct 10, then optimizing the cutting of the Asian hornets in the technical tube 14. At the lower end of the telescopic duct 10 is the technical tube 14, connected to it by means of an adapter 13 glued to said duct at the main tube 101. The assembly of the technical tube 14 and the adapter 13 is preferably carried out by screwing, but can be carried out for example by clipping, or by any other means making it possible to guarantee both the mechanical support and the sealing between said tube and the telescopic duct 10.Generally, the means used must allow easy assembly and disassembly in order to easily access the interior of the technical tube 14.

[0059] Inside the technical tube 14 is a cutting tool 16, as shown in Figure 2.

[0060] The cutting tool 16 is preferably made of metal material and is cylindrical in shape. Its diameter is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the technical tube 14 in order to fit into said tube and minimize the spacing between the walls of said tool and said tube.

[0061] In other embodiments, the cutting tool 16 is made of plastic, by additive manufacturing or by molding for example, and the cutting elements 161-163 are glued to said tool at its inner wall.

[0062] These exemplary embodiments do not present any limit to the invention, the person skilled in the art being able to manufacture the cutting tool 16 in other materials such as wood or ceramic.

[0063] Finally, the end 15 of the device 100 is connected to the suction unit, and is capable of receiving the various hoses, the external diameter of which is between 30 and 40 mm, as well as adaptive elements making it possible to connect said device to said unit in a sealed manner.

[0064] These adaptive elements (not shown in the figures) comprise, in the simplest embodiment, a ring at the outlet thereof which can have different diameters (typically less than 30 mm and greater than 40 mm), in which an elastomer type seal is also housed.

[0065] The adaptive element can also be of a more complex shape, in order to be able to adapt to suction systems having tips whose shape is said to be proprietary. Thus, the adaptive element is made up, in a single piece, of a first part fitting into the technical tube 14, and of a second part adapted to proprietary formats. Figure 3 shows a side view of the device 100 in the retracted position, the cutting tool 16 being represented therein by a dotted line. This side view is produced in the same plane as the cutting element 161, also represented by a dotted line.

[0066] Figure 4 represents the section along plane AA of Figure 3.

[0067] The cutting tool 16 is held in the technical tube 14 by means of a collar 164 coming into contact with a stop 146 created by a local narrowing of the diameter of the technical tube 14. The holding of the cutting tool 16 shown in FIG. 4 should not be considered as a limiting aspect of the invention, since it can be achieved by other means known to those skilled in the art, such as screwing, or by pressure using an elastic material positioned between the external wall of said tool and the internal wall of the technical tube 14. The cutting tool 16 comprises at least one cutting element 161 passing diametrically through the section of said tool. In the example illustrated in Figure 4, the cutting tool 16 comprises five cutting elements distributed over three rows: a first row comprising a cutting element 161, a second row comprising two cutting elements 162a-b and a third row comprising two cutting elements 163a-b.

[0068] The cutting elements 161, 162a-b and 163a-b are in this example metal blades and are welded to the cutting tool 16, at its inner wall. The cutting tool 16 is as a whole preferably made of recyclable materials. In other embodiments, the cutting tool 16 and the cutting elements 161, 162a-b and 163a-b may also be made, partially or entirely, of other materials, in particular ceramics or plastics.

[0069] Figure 5 in configuration (a) represents in perspective the cutting tool 16 in rear view, the arrangement in three rows being more easily visible there.

[0070] Figure 5 in configurations (b) and (c) shows side views of the cutting tool 16. The five cutting elements 161, 162a-b and 163a-b passing through the section of the cutting tool 16 are represented by dotted lines. In this example, it can be seen that the cutting elements 161, 162a-b, 163a-b are oriented in a certain way, an orientation which is described below. Figure 5 in configuration (d) shows a top view of the cutting tool 16 where the internal arrangement of the cutting elements 161, 162a-b, 163a-b is visible.

[0071] Preferably, the cutting elements 162 and 163 are arranged in the tool 16 with angles α (alpha) and β (beta) relative to the Y axis, represented by the dotted line in FIG. 5 in configuration (d), said angles being equal to 15°. In addition, the cutting elements 162 are arranged such that they partly form a “V”. The cutting elements 163 are arranged such that they partly form an inverted “V”.

[0072] This advantageous arrangement leads to a meshing of the interior of the cutting tool 16, as shown in Figure 5 in configuration (d), where the arrangement of the cutting elements 161, 162 and 163 makes it possible to obtain passage spaces between blades, the spacing E of which is at most 1 cm. An Asian hornet having a length of the order of 3 cm, it is then cut when it comes into contact with the blades 161, 162 and 163.

[0073] Figure 5 in configuration (e) represents the section view AA of Figure 5 in configuration (d) and makes it possible to highlight the arrangement in three rows of the cutting elements 161, 162a-b and 163a-b, as well as the offset and the different orientations of the cutting elements 162a-b and 163a-b.

[0074] The figure in configurations (f) and (g) represents respectively the sections along the planes BB and CC of figure 5 in configuration (d). Each of these sections is oriented relative to the plane containing, for the section BB (figure 5 in configuration (f)), the cutting element 162b, and for the section CC (figure 5 in configuration (g)), the cutting element 163b.

[0075] Each of these sections highlights another characteristic of the arrangement of the cutting elements 162 and 163.

[0076] Indeed, in order to maximize the cutting power of the cutting elements 162 and 163, these respectively have cutting angles / 71 (eta 1) and 772 (eta 2) formed between one of the long edges of the cutting elements 162 and 163, and the longitudinal internal wall of the cutting tool 16, said angles being equal to 120°. This arrangement of the cutting elements 162 and 163 improves the cutting action and its sharpness. Figure 6 in configuration (a) represents another embodiment of the device 100 comprising a cutting tool 26, in rear perspective view, on which the air flow passing through said tool is shown diagrammatically by means of two solid arrows, located upstream and downstream of said tool.

[0077] This embodiment is not made up this time of fixed cutting elements, but on the contrary, of cutting elements 271-275 each arranged on an element 27 allowing a rotation of an angle Q (theta) around the central axis X of the cutting tool 26. The rotational movement of the elements 27, in which the cutting elements 272-275 are located, is represented by arrows rotating in the anti-clockwise direction in figure 6 in configuration (a).

[0078] In order to hold the cutting tool 26 in the technical tube 14, said tool also comprises a collar 264.

[0079] The advantage of being able to adjust the angle Q (theta) of the cutting elements 272-275 in this second embodiment is to adapt the inter-element passage spaces to the sizes of the insects that the operator wishes to eliminate, whereas previously, these inter-element spaces were fixed in the cutting tool 16.

[0080] Therefore, the same cutting tool 26 can be used for different species of harmful insects to be eliminated.

[0081] The desired caliber is then obtained by modifying the positions of the cutting elements 272-275 by rotating the elements 27 in which said elements have for example been welded.

[0082] Thus, predefined settings are obtained by means of notches (not shown in FIG. 6 in configuration (a)) present both on the structure of the cutting tool 26 and inside the elements 27, thus making it possible to easily adjust the maximum size of the desired passage.

[0083] The largest clearance is obtained when all the cutting elements 272-275 are in the same plane as the fixed cutting element 271. Figure 6 in configuration (b) shows a top view of Figure 6 in configuration (a), in which the cutting tool 26 is adjusted to obtain a reduced clearance between the cutting elements 271-275.

[0084] In this example, the smallest passage space is obtained by minimizing the length C, which corresponds to the chord defined between the intersections of two successive cutting elements, with the internal contour of the cutting tool 26. The length C is then minimized for an angle 6 (theta) multiple of 36° in the case where said tool is equipped with five cutting elements 271-275, as illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b.

[0085] Other embodiments based on that shown in Figure 6 in configurations (a) and (b) may include several cutting elements in the rotating elements 27 but also propose internal arrangements where the angles formed between two consecutive cutting elements would not be identical for a given position.

[0086] Figure 7 and Figure 8 show an element 37 of a device 300, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0087] Each of the elements 37 comprises a cutting element (not shown here), a toothed crown 371 located on the upper part of the element 37, said crown being composed of a plurality of teeth 3711, the element 37 also comprises at least one notch 372 located at its lower part, as well as a rim 373. As shown in FIG. 6, the cutting tool 36 comprises a plurality of elements 37, which by rotation between them, both clockwise and counterclockwise, will make it possible to adjust the inter-cutting element passage in order to adapt said passage to the size of the harmful insect to be eliminated.

[0088] In a particular embodiment, the cutting tool 36 is assembled by clipping the elements 37 together. The cutting tool 36 can also be disassembled by unclipping the elements 37 constituting it. Also, the number of elements 37 not being a limit to the present invention, the cutting tool 36 therefore has a length which varies according to this number.

[0089] Finally, the element 37 is also characterized by a passage diameter D37 as well as a rim diameter D373, which do not represent limits to the present invention. Indeed, the diameters D37 and D373 are additional parameters which are used to adapt the dimensions of the cutting tool 36 to the size of the insect to be eliminated. The toothed crown 371 comprises in the preferred embodiment thirty-six teeth 3711, thus making it possible to position the cutting element every 10°. This characteristic is not a limit to the present invention, the person skilled in the art being able to define toothed crowns 371 comprising more or less thirty-six teeth, and in particular depending on the number of elements 37 which constitute the cutting tool 36.In a particular embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 7, the diameters D37 and D373 are dimensioned such that the cutting tool 36 has an inter-element passage which is suitable for large insects. In particular, the rim diameter D373 is substantially smaller than the internal diameter D34 of the technical tube of the device 300.

[0090] In addition, the diameter D37 of the element 37 is sized to maximize the inter-element passage. In another embodiment, the value of the rim diameter D373 is retained, but the value of the diameter D37 is decreased to reduce the inter-element passage, and thus adapt the cutting tool 36 to eliminate smaller sized pests.

[0091] Thus, and for the two embodiments just described, the elements 37 which constitute the cutting tool 36, allow said tool to be held inside the technical tube 34 by means of the flanges 373. This design then makes it possible to prevent the cutting tool 36 from getting across the technical tube 34. In another embodiment, presented in FIG. 8, the cutting tool 36 is held in the technical tube 34 this time by means of at least three shims 374, said shims being integral with the flange 373 and are characterized in particular by a depth p374. In this embodiment, the diameter D373 and the depths p374 of the shims 374 are dimensioned in such a way that the cutting tool 36 is perfectly adjusted to the internal diameter D34 of the technical tube 34.As previously, the cutting tool 36 comprises a plurality of elements 37 whose diameter D37 is sized according to the size of the harmful insects to be eliminated.

[0092] Thus, the same technical tube 34 of the device 300 can receive the cutting tool 36 composed of elements 37 such as shown in Figure 7, or such as those shown in Figure 8. The technical tube 34, and by extension the device 300, are therefore versatile and are adaptable to the types of harmful insects to be eliminated. Figure 9 represents another particular embodiment of the device 300 mainly comprising a telescopic conduit 30, a plug 12 making it possible to close said conduit when the device 300 is retracted, the technical tube 34 of length L34, preferably made of a transparent material, provided with a cutting tool 36 and having an outlet 35 comprising a rubber seal (not shown here), of conical shape, and whose dimensions are as previously compatible with the majority of the hoses of the suction units.

[0093] According to the illustrated example, the telescopic conduit 30 comprises a main tube 301 and six secondary tubes 302-307.

[0094] As previously presented, at the lower end of the telescopic conduit 30 is the technical tube 34, connected to it by means of an adapter 33 glued to said conduit at the level of the main tube 301.

[0095] Also, the cutting tool 36 is here formed by means of a plurality of elements 37. The length L34 of the technical tube 34 is then a function of the number of elements 37 used to assemble the cutting tool 36.

[0096] The device 300 also comprises an end 3071, represented by a dotted surface, which is covered with elements which aim to attract the attention of harmful insects, so that they approach the entrance of said device.

[0097] Preferably, these elements are not chemicals, such as baits used in insect traps known to those skilled in the art.

[0098] On the contrary, the 3071 end is only covered with one or more colors, recognized among others by the entomological communities, as capturing the attention of insects.

[0099] In some embodiments, the end 3071 includes, in place of the colors, or in addition to them, shiny elements such as glitter or light-reflecting materials.

[0100] In some embodiments, the end 3071 comprises a compact light-emitting system, such as at least one light-emitting diode, powered by a rechargeable battery, again for the purpose of attracting the attention of pests to be eliminated.

[0101] The elements located on the 3071 end are easily removable for removal and replacement if needed.

[0102] Figure 10 represents a sectional view along the plane AA of Figure 9, of a part A of the device 300. In this figure, it is possible to visualize an arrangement in the technical tube 34, of a cutting tool 36 consisting of elements 37 as represented in Figure 8. In this example of arrangement, the cutting tool 36 comprises cutting elements 371-378, said cutting elements being positioned such that the angle of the inter-cutting element passage is 20°.

[0103] Figure 11 represents an example of a situation in which the device 100 or 300 is used to eliminate Asian hornets 41 located near a nest 40, situated in this illustration in the lower part of the eaves of a dwelling 60.

[0104] After having fully deployed the tubes 101-106 of the telescopic conduit 10, and connected the outlet 15 of said device to a suction unit 31 by means of a hose 312 and its rigid end piece 315, an operator 50 can then position himself at a distance sufficiently far from the nest 40 to begin the suction of the Asian hornets 41.

[0105] The Asian hornets 41, after having generally carried out a hovering observation flight close to the entrance of the tube 106, will approach the entrance and will then be sucked into the telescopic conduit 10 and then cut by means of the cutting elements 161, 162 and 163.

[0106] This method makes it possible not to generate any irritation in the Asian hornet colony 41, the operator 50 then being safe from possible attacks and stings.

[0107] Once the Asian hornets 41 have been sucked up by the device 100, the remains of their bodies are collected in a tank 311 of a vacuum cleaner 31 to then be eliminated.

[0108] The cutting tool 16, and the cutting elements 161, 162 and 163 being made of a material compatible with water, the operator can recover said tool to wash it after each use, in a dishwasher for example or under a conventional flow of water.

[0109] When using the device 100, the operator 50 can check the condition of the cutting tool 16 at any time by unscrewing the technical tube 14 from the adapter 13.

[0110] Advantageously, the cutting tool 16 is made in such a way that it can be handled without the operator 50 needing to use protection for his hands, except in the case of handling in direct contact with the cutting elements 161, 162 and 163. Furthermore, once the nest 40 has been emptied of the Asian hornets 41, the operator 50 can use the device 100, without the cutting tool 16, to vacuum the structure of said nest and thus finalize the treatment operation.

[0111] The nest can also be detached and destroyed by other methods. The example of use of the device 100 shown in Figure 7 and described here is not limited to this type of use. The operator 50 could also use a ladder or a lifting means of the nacelle type, in order to position the device 100 near the nest 40, the latter also being able to be located at a height, in a tree for example. Furthermore, the small size of the telescopic conduit 10, in particular due to the small dimensions of the tube 106, and the ease of use of the device 100, also allow the operator 50 to access nests 40 which are built in places that are difficult to access, such as under frames for example.

[0112] In addition, the technical tube 14 is capable of receiving different types of cutting tool 16 which may contain one or more cutting elements whose arrangement differs from that shown in figures 5a-f and 6a-b in particular.

[0113] Finally, and once the cutting tool 16 is in a state of wear that no longer allows it to function correctly, said tool can be replaced with a new one, the telescopic conduit 10 and the technical tube 14 being reusable.

Claims

CLAIMS Device (100,300), for the destruction of harmful insects, containing at least one main tube (101,301) mechanically connected to a technical tube (14,34) by means of an adapter (13,33), the technical tube (14,34) being connected at an outlet (15,35) to a suction unit (31), said outlet having a seal (154) ensuring the sealing between said device and said unit, characterized in that the technical tube (14,34) contains a removable cutting tool (16,26,36), said tool being composed of at least one cutting element (161,271-276,371-378) passing through a section of said tool. Device (100,300) according to claim 1, containing a telescopic conduit (10,30), said conduit comprising at least the main tube (101,301) and at least one secondary tube (102-106,302-307) of smaller diameter, said tubes being nestable guaranteeing a seal of said conduit.A device (100, 300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cutting tool (16, 26, 36) is composed of at least two rows of cutting elements (161, 162, 271, 272, 371, 372), said rows comprising at least one cutting element (161, 271, 371), arranged independently to define a passage space between said elements and an inner wall of said tool. A device (100, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting tool (16, 26, 36) is made of metal, said tool comprising metallic cutting elements (161-163, 271-273, 371-378) that are welded to the inner wall of said tool. Device (100,300) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutting tool (16,26,36) is made of a plastic material, said tool comprising metallic cutting elements (161-163,271-273,371-378) which are glued to the inner wall of said tool.Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting tool (16) contains five cutting elements (161, 162a-b, 163a-b) distributed in three rows along said tool. Device (100) according to claim 5, wherein two cutting elements (162a-b) of a second row and two cutting elements (163a-b) of a third row are arranged on either side of an axis (Y) passing perpendicularly through the center of the cutting element (161) of a first row, at an angle (a, (3), thus forming respectively partly a "V" and partly an inverted "V". Device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the angles (a, [3]) are equal to 15°. Device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the cutting elements (162a-b, 163a-b) of the second and third rows have a cutting angle (q1, r|2) of 120°.Device (100, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool (16, 26, 36) is composed of at least two cutting elements (271-275, 371-378), each of said cutting elements being arranged on a rotating element (27, 37), allowing their arrangement within said tool to be adjusted in order to modify the inter-element passage space to adapt said space to the intended use. Device (100, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end (3071) is covered by removable colored and / or light-reflecting elements. Device (100, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the technical tube (14, 34) is transparent. Suction system, operating on battery power or connected to a power source, characterized in that it comprises a device (100, 300) according to any one of the preceding claims.Method for eliminating unwanted insects implementing a device (100,300) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which an operator (50) connects said device to a suction unit (31), characterized in that it consists of suctioning insects (41) of the Asian hornet type found near a nest (40), the suctioned insects being cut by means of the cutting tool (16,26,36), the remains of their bodies then being collected in a tank (311) for disposal, said tool being removable for inspection at any time and cleaning.

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