Method for destroying pests, particularly inside a building, and its implementation installation

Abstract

A method for destroying pests of at least one element (1) to be treated, comprising the following steps: in situ construction of a sealed zone (2) in which said at least one element (1) is arranged, the sealed zone being constructed using sealing means (3), preferably in the form of one or more plastic films; injection into the sealed zone (2) of modified air and extraction of the air initially present in the sealed zone (2), the modified air having an oxygen content of less than 20% and a temperature below 50°C and a relative humidity of not more than 60%, preferably the sealed zone (2) being slightly pressurized; and maintaining the sealed zone (2) with the modified air for a specified period. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for destroying pests, particularly inside a building, and its implementation installation

[0001] The invention relates to the field of pest control, in particular the destruction of insects, fungi or bacteria, present in all types of objects or structures.

[0002] In the following description, "harmful" means any organism that can damage or destroy a material, an object, a food, etc., or that can cause nuisances, in particular nuisances to individuals or to a dwelling.

[0003] The invention relates in particular to the destruction of pests such as wood-boring insects, moths, silverfish, bed bugs, etc., at all stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, imagos), or the destruction of fungi such as wood-decaying fungi, molds, etc.

[0004] The invention applies to the processing of any type of material such as, but not limited to, wood, cellulose, fabric, leather, wool, paint, plastic, stone, earth, etc.

[0005] The invention will be described more particularly with regard to the treatment of building-type structures such as an open building like a hangar, or an enclosed building like a house, an apartment building, or an industrial building, whether at the level of the facades and / or the interior of a building, without however being limited to this. The invention can thus be applied to any type of object or structure such as shipping containers, boats, mobile machinery, furniture, works of art, etc., and generally to any object or structure or volumetric element, whether bulky or not, movable or not.

[0006] As an example, wood-boring insects are a real scourge for wooden structures and works of art. For about twenty years, it has been known to treat works of art by anoxia. This involves enclosing the object to be treated in a sealed bag for a given period, often several weeks, in the presence of oxygen absorbers so as to deprive the bag of oxygen, specifically without exceeding 0.1% oxygen and at a temperature above 22°C. Insects deprived of oxygen die. For large objects, a sealed container of approximately 10 to 15 m² on the ground and approximately 2 to 3 meters high is used, into which an inert gas such as nitrogen is injected regularly, at a temperature above 22°C, also for several weeks, to replace the oxygen. The anoxia process has proven effective. However, this process is not Today, this process is only used for portable objects such as furniture or works of art that can be placed in sealed bags or containers. Limited in its applications, this method cannot therefore be used for the treatment of buildings, among other things.

[0007] For buildings, it is known to treat wooden frames, parquet floors, or wall panels against wood-boring insects by injecting a liquid insecticide. However, these insecticides are specifically designed for wood and cannot be used to treat other materials. Furthermore, they are ineffective against fungi. In addition, commercially available insecticides can be very harmful to the user.

[0008] Hot air treatment is also known for its effectiveness in both disinsection and disinfection; it also has the advantage of being less expensive than traditional injection treatment and uses no chemicals. Its implementation involves placing a heating system outside the building, which propels hot air into the building via heat-resistant ducts. This type of standardized process (NF CE 14128 standard) requires a temperature of at least 50°C for several hours, depending on the material being treated and the type of pest (insect or fungus), with exposure times ranging from 6 to 16 hours. However, this process has drawbacks. In particular, some works of art, such as paintings, can yellow under the effect of the heat, and furniture made of marquetry and / or containing metal elements can suffer detachment or expansion, causing irreversible damage.Consequently, all the furniture inside the building being treated, which cannot be exposed to the heat, must be removed, representing a significant cost in terms of moving, labor, temporary storage, and even insurance. Furthermore, the heating system requires a large number of pipes with a large diameter, which quickly clutters the building and may necessitate the relocation of numerous objects. Moreover, it is sometimes necessary to heat the building for much longer than anticipated to reach a temperature of 50°C at the core of the materials; for example, while a concrete wall absorbs heat quickly, it also dissipates it very quickly, thus requiring the building to be heated for a much longer period than expected.

[0009] We are therefore still seeking today a solution which, in particular, does not require moving furniture or objects, does not damage them, while being safe for operators and as environmentally friendly as possible.

[0010] The invention also aims to provide a method for destroying pests which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages and which advantageously allows the treatment of both insects and fungi, regardless of the material infested and the type of element to be treated.

[0011] In the following description, "element" relating to the destruction process of the invention means any object, any constructed or manufactured structure, which is to be treated.

[0012] According to the invention, the method for destroying pests from at least one element to be treated comprises the following steps: - in situ construction of a sealed zone in which said at least one element is arranged; - injection into the sealed zone of modified air (also referred to as oxygen-depleted air, in the following description) and extraction of the air initially present in the sealed zone (by suction), the modified air having an oxygen content of less than 20%, preferably an oxygen content between 1 and 15%, and having a temperature below 50°C and a relative humidity of no more than 60%; and - maintaining the sealed zone with the modified air for a determined treatment time.

[0013] The extraction of the initial air can begin before the injection of modified air. However, it is preferable to begin by injecting the modified air before starting the extraction.

[0014] The term "in situ construction" refers to the construction of a sealed zone on-site where the item to be treated is already located, or the construction of a sealed zone at a chosen location adapted to the desired dimensions to accommodate the item(s) to be treated. This involves constructing a sealed zone on-site, rather than transporting and using a prefabricated sealed container. Thus, the pest control method of the invention can be implemented regardless of the type of item to be treated; it adapts directly to the item(s) to be treated by constructing a sealed zone on-site adapted to the configuration and dimensions of the item(s). Unlike the prior art anoxia method, which uses a pre-designed, limited-size sealed container, the method of the invention is not limited in its application to the size of the objects.Furthermore, it can even be used for fixed elements such as buildings, which was previously impossible with the anoxic process. The sealed zone is constructed on-site if the element to be treated is fixed, such as a building, or when the element is rendered immobile; otherwise, the sealed zone is constructed at any location desired by the operator, adapting to the required size to accommodate the element(s) to be treated.

[0015] Furthermore, the step of replacing air with modified air that is lower in oxygen is not technically difficult to implement and, above all, does not require high-budget implementation resources, because the oxygen is reduced below 20%, preferably without being less than 1%, unlike the prior art anoxia process which requires a residual oxygen level of less than 0.1%. Preferably, the modified air is depleted of oxygen by reducing the level to between 50% and at most 95% compared to the initial oxygen level.

[0016] Furthermore, the modified air does not need to reach a temperature of 50°C as in the prior art hot air treatment process, thus avoiding the risk of damaging the component(s) with excessively hot air, while still guaranteeing an effective pest control method. A single treatment using the method of the invention destroys all pests, in particular both insects and fungi. Moreover, by controlling the humidity, which does not exceed 60% at a temperature not exceeding 50°C, any damage to humidity-sensitive equipment such as electronic equipment is avoided, which was not the case with the prior art hot air treatment.

[0017] According to one feature, the process includes continuous control and regulation of the oxygen level, temperature, and humidity in the sealed zone filled with modified air, and preferably also continuous control and regulation of the pressurization of the sealed zone. Thus, throughout the treatment, the aforementioned parameters defining the modified air, and preferably also the pressurization, are maintained. Maintaining and regulating the modified air throughout the treatment means potentially reinjecting modified air and extracting modified air already present in order to compensate for any increase in the oxygen level due to oxygen release from certain objects present in the sealed zone, the oxygen level always being below 20%, in particular between 1 and 15%, preferably between 1 and 10%.Preferably, the process includes a step of regularly monitoring the oxygen level in the sealed zone.

[0018] Finally, the treatment is also risk-free for the operator who does not have to enter the sealed treatment area, and no chemicals need to be used.

[0019] Therefore, the treatment process of the invention by constructing in situ a sealed zone and by replacing the trapped air with modified and adapted air which combines a low oxygen level, a warm temperature without reaching 50°C and a relative humidity of less than 60%, constitutes a universal solution for destroying all pests, including both insects and fungi, while being applicable to all types of material and all types of elements to be treated.

[0020] Preferably, the residual oxygen level of the modified air is between 1 and 15%, or even between 1 and 10%, particularly between 2 and 7%. The process of the invention therefore does not involve anoxia as in the prior art.

[0021] According to one feature, the oxygen in the injected modified air is replaced by at least one other gas, preferably by at least nitrogen. Alternatively, the oxygen can be replaced by gas(s) other than nitrogen, for example CO2, helium.

[0022] According to another feature, the sealed zone is placed under slight overpressure (relative to the outside of said sealed zone). In the patent application, "slight overpressure" means that this slight overpressure is just sufficient to compensate for the penetration of outside air into the sealed zone. The slight overpressure is such that the pressure inside the sealed zone is slightly higher than the outside pressure. A slight overpressure corresponds to an overpressure that does not exceed 10 Pa. The method of the invention, by placing the sealed zone under slight overpressure, allows for the management of air leaks; the slight overpressure will compensate for any air leaks if the seal is not perfect. Advantageously, the method includes an operation for controlling and regulating the overpressure (throughout the entire duration of the treatment).The process thus guarantees that the modified air, with its depleted oxygen content, temperature and humidity, is retained in the sealed area throughout the treatment, even though leaks may occur due to the complexity of making an element such as a building perfectly sealed at the perimeter where the sealing devices are fixed.

[0023] According to another characteristic, the relative humidity in the sealed area is between 30 and 60%, preferably between 35% and 45%, and even more preferably around 40%.

[0024] According to yet another characteristic, the temperature in the sealed zone is between 22°C and 45°C, preferably between 30 and 45°C, and even more preferably between 30°C and 35°C.

[0025] According to another feature, the in-situ construction of a sealed zone consists of arranging sealing means around the at least one element to be treated, in particular by creating a sealed protective bubble around the at least one element and / or sealing the element's openings if it has any, for example, in the case of a room in a building. In an advantageous embodiment, the in-situ construction of a sealed zone consists of arranging plastic sealing means against and / or around the element. In particular, the plastic sealing means are in the form of one or more plastic films that can be joined together by heat-sealing, preferably the plastic films being heat-shrinkable. The plastic material is, for example, low-density polyethylene (LDPE).The films are heat-shrinked onto the item to be treated after being securely fixed (e.g., with adhesive) around the perimeter of the films to the surface on which the item will be placed.

[0026] The duration of treatment is in particular between several hours or days or weeks, in particular depending on the species of pests targeted and their location in the element (in the material or materials).

[0027] The area to be treated may be compartmentalized into several sub-zones, each of which is made independently sealed.

[0028] The process may include, before the injection of modified air, a step of detecting possible air leaks in the sealed zone.

[0029] The sealed zone does not contain enough oxygen for an individual to breathe; if someone enters the sealed zone, they will die. Preferably, the method includes a step of installing anti-intrusion security means inside the sealed enclosure and / or anti-intrusion detection means (such as alarms) arranged in an external area immediately surrounding the sealed zone, thus ensuring the safety of people who are prohibited from entering the oxygen-deprived sealed enclosure (which lacks sufficient oxygen to breathe).

[0030] The aforementioned destruction process of the invention is notably used to destroy insects (all types of insects) and fungi (all types of fungi including molds, whether the fungus itself or the mycelia, hyphae, rhizomorphs (dry rot) or other fruiting bodies).

[0031] The method of the invention can in fact be applied to any type of element, regardless of its location, destination, design, shape and dimensions.

[0032] The pest destruction process of the invention is applicable to all types of volumes, including volumes greater than 500 m3.

[0033] The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the aforementioned destruction process of the invention, the installation comprising sealing means for constructing in situ the sealed zone by totally surrounding said at least one element to be treated, and an implementation device for drawing air from the sealed zone and injecting modified air having an oxygen content of less than 20%, in particular between 1 and 15%, in particular between 1 and 10%, preferably between 2 and 7%, and having a temperature of less than 50°C and a relative humidity of no more than 60%, preferably the implementation device being capable of controlling the parameters (oxygen content, temperature, humidity) of the modified air within the sealed zone and preferably the implementation device being capable of controlling and regulating an overpressure of the sealed zone with the modified air.

[0034] According to a feature of the installation, the sealing means are made of plastic, in particular plastic sealing means in the form of one or more plastic films which may in particular be joined together by heat sealing, preferably the plastic films being heat shrinkable.

[0035] According to another feature of the installation, the implementation device comprises: - a monitoring system such as a computer; - at least one air extractor connected to the sealed area and opening to the outside of the sealed area; - a modified air production system to supply modified air to the sealed area, the modified air production system comprising an oxygen-depleted air generator and a heating and humidification system coupled to the air generator; - at least one supply line carrying the modified air from the production system into the sealed area; and - preferably, sensors for monitoring residual oxygen levels, temperature, and relative humidity, and preferably pressure sensors, the sensors being arranged in the sealed area and transmitting their measurement data to the monitoring system.

[0036] According to another feature, the modified air production system draws air from the outside environment. Preferably, said modified air production system is a mobile unit. The device is thus operational in any location within the area to be treated.

[0037] Preferably, a depression controller is installed outside the sealed area and connected to various pipes arranged in the sealed area in order to detect a pressure difference threshold.

[0038] According to yet another characteristic, the sensors and / or the monitoring system are capable of transmitting remotely, in particular to a mobile phone, critical alert and / or incident threshold data.

[0039] Advantageously, the installation includes presence detection means, such as cameras, arranged inside and / or outside the sealed area.

[0040] The installation may include means for detecting, other than sensors, the breach of the sealed zone. Cameras may also constitute means for detecting the breach of the sealed zone.

[0041] The installation may include insect activity control systems such as thermal cameras and / or ultrasonic devices.

[0042] The present invention is now described by means of purely illustrative and in no way limiting examples of the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying illustrations, in which: - [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of an example of an element to be treated according to the pest destruction process of the invention, the element being a building which has been previously surrounded by scaffolding and around which sealing means have been put in place to delimit a sealed zone all around the building. - [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective and partially cross-sectional view of another example of a building without scaffolding and on which the process of the invention is also implemented. - [Fig.3] is a side view of the building from [Fig.2] during the first step of the process, more particularly during the installation of the heat-shrinkable plastic sealing materials and before heating the plastic material. - [Fig.4] corresponds to [Fig.3] after the material heating step heat-shrinkable plastic, the sealing means then perfectly conforming to the external shapes of the building as also visible in [Fig.2], - [Fig. 5] shows a schematic detail view of the fastening of the means sealing on the receiving surface on which the element to be treated rests (is built). - [Fig. 6] illustrates a partial schematic view of the installation for putting into work showing a modified air supply duct, the duct being connected to the modified air production system and passing in a sealed manner through the sealing means to enter, via a building window, inside the sealed area. - [Fig.7] schematically presents a block diagram of the implementation device of the second step of the process of the invention relating to the treatment.

[0043] The pest destruction process according to the invention is intended to treat at least one element 1 regardless of the material or materials constituting the element.

[0044] Element 1, taken as a non-limiting example in Figures 1 and 2, is a multi-story building B1 or B2, surrounded by scaffolding 10 for building B1 ([Fig.1]) and without scaffolding for building B2 ([Fig.2]).

[0045] The pest control method according to the invention comprises: - a first step of constructing a sealed zone 2 in situ all around the element 1 to be treated and / or at the level of the openings of the element to be treated depending on the configuration of the element, then - a second treatment stage for a specified duration.

[0046] The pest control method of the invention is carried out by an implementation installation comprising sealing means 3 and a device for putting into Work 4. The first step of the construction process of the sealed zone 2 is implemented using the sealing means 3. The second treatment step of the process allowing the destruction of pests within the sealed zone 2 is ensured by the implementation device 4.

[0047] The sealed zone 2 is delimited by sealing means 3. The sealing means 3 are preferably in the form of a sealed bubble that encloses the entire element 1. This is the case, for example, in Figures 1 to 4, where the sealed zone 2 is constructed on-site around the structure B1, B2 by means of the sealed bubble 3 that surrounds the entire structure. The pest control process applied to building B1 aims to treat the sealed zone 2, which includes both the entire interior of the building and its facade, with the sealed bubble 3 being attached to the scaffolding 10. In the case of B2, it will primarily treat the interior of the building as sealed zone 2, with the sealed bubble 3 being attached directly to the facade of building B2.

[0048] Alternatively, depending on the nature of element 1, the sealed zone 2 may be an interior delimited by the closed walls of element 1 and by its openings, the sealing means 3 then being affixed at least against the openings to seal them airtight. Such an example, not shown, may be an apartment delimited by its openings leading on one side to the interior of the building (for example, the door leading to a landing), and on the other side to the exterior of the building (for example, its windows); the sealing means 3 are then affixed at a minimum against the openings to seal them.

[0049] In yet another embodiment, the sealed zone 2 can be constructed in a location chosen to accommodate large, movable elements or objects. Thus, the construction step of the sealed zone 2 consists, for example, of building a permanent structure such as a hangar to house the various objects, and then arranging the sealing means 3 all around the hangar to enclose it in the form of a sealed bubble, thereby enclosing all the objects to be treated.

[0050] Another example, by no means limiting, is that of the treatment of shipping containers traveling from one continent to another. The pest control process of the invention allows the containers to be treated on-site before they leave the port. The sealing means 3 are intended to wrap one or more containers.

[0051] Consequently, the pest destruction method of the invention applies to any type of element, regardless of its location, destination, shape and dimensions.

[0052] The pest control method of the invention has the advantage of being adaptable to all volumes because the sealing means 3 are implemented on-site to the dimensions of the area to be treated. The airtight bubble or envelope 3 is manufactured in situ.

[0053] The sealing means 3 are preferably made of plastic. For example, as schematically illustrated in the detail view of [Fig. 5], the sealing means 3 comprise one or more plastic films 30 and 31 and watertight fastening means 32 for fixing the films around their perimeter, in particular to the receiving surface S of the element 1, such as the floor, or any other surface against which the perimeter of the sealing films is intended to be applied. The films 30 and 31 are joined together in a watertight manner, in particular by watertight bonding means or by heat sealing when the films are, for example, made of thermoplastic material. The watertight fastening means 32 for fixing the films 30 and 31 around their perimeter are, for example, adhesive strips. The films are preferably made of a heat-shrinkable material, for example, LDPE. Such heat-shrinkable films are, once placed on the element 1 ([Fig. 5],3]) and fixed around their perimeter using the watertight fastening means 32, heated with a gun 5 so as to perfectly conform to the contours of the element 1 and to weld against the surfaces they conform to ([Fig. 4]). The sealing films, for example, have a thickness of 200 to 400 µm and are weather and fire resistant to class ML.

[0054] Once the sealing means 3 are installed, the device 4 for implementing the second step of the process must be installed in order to destroy the pests within the sealed zone 2. Once the sealed zone 2 is in place, the second step of the process consists of extracting the air present in the sealed zone 2 and replacing it with modified and suitable air according to the treatment process of the invention. The modified and suitable air is depleted in oxygen such that the residual oxygen level is less than 20%, in particular between 1 and 10%, preferably between 2 and 7%, and has a temperature above 22°C but not exceeding 50°C, preferably between 30°C and 45°C, and furthermore has a relative humidity not exceeding 60%, preferably between 35% and 45%.

[0055] With regard to schematic figure 7, the implementation device 4 of the second step of the process comprises at least: - a monitoring system 40 such as a computer; - at least one air extractor 41 connected to the sealed zone 2 and opening to the outside, the extractor being controlled by the supervision system 40; - a modified air production system 42 to supply modified air to the sealed area 2, the modified air production system 42 comprising an oxygen-depleted air generator and a heating and humidification system coupled to the air generator, and being controlled by the supervisory system 40; - at least one supply line 43 carrying the modified air from the production system 42 into the sealed area 2; - control sensors 44, 45 and 46, respectively for residual oxygen levels, temperature, and relative humidity, and preferably pressure sensors 47, the sensors being arranged in the sealed area 2 and transmitting their measurement data to the supervisory system 40.

[0056] As schematically shown, the air extractors 41, the modified air production system 42 and the various sensors are therefore connected to the supervisory system 40. The supervisory system 40 controls the operation of the air extractors 41 and the modified air production system 42, and their regulation according to the data received by the control sensors 44 to 47.

[0057] The number of air extractors 41 depends on the volume of the sealed zone 2 to be treated. The air extractors 41 are connected to the inside of the sealed zone 2 and are located outside the sealed zone 2 to discharge the extracted air directly into the external environment. The air extractors 41 are equipped with very high-efficiency filters (known as "HEPA filters"). The air extractors 41 are connected to the sealed zone 2 via extraction ducts that pass through the sealing means 3 in a sealed manner. The extraction ducts can be installed by piercing the sealing film 30 before it shrinks, and applying sealing tape around the perimeter of the penetrations formed in the film and around the ducts. When element 1 to be treated is a building, the extraction ducts are arranged at the level of the building's openings such as windows, leaving them open, with the sealing film 3 being placed outside the windows.

[0058] The modified air production system 42 is capable of delivering the appropriate and aforementioned process air. The modified air production system 42 is installed outside the sealed area 2. The modified air production system 42 draws in ambient air and treats it to obtain oxygen-depleted air with a residual oxygen level of approximately 1 to 10%, the oxygen having been replaced, for example, by nitrogen. The oxygen-depleted air is then treated by the heating and humidification system to deliver air at the appropriate temperature and humidity level. The modified air production system 42 can be arranged in a mobile unit, which can thus be moved on-site to be operational in any location. A mobile unit can also include the monitoring system 40.

[0059] The modified air is conveyed from the modified air production system 42 to the sealed zone 2 via one or more supply ducts 43, depending on the volume of the sealed zone 2 to be treated. The supply ducts 43 pass through the sealing means 3 in a sealed manner. As with the exhaust ducts, when element 1 is a building, the supply ducts 43 preferably run through openings such as windows in the building, which remain open ([Fig. 6]). The supply ducts are brought into all spaces The necessary building services, including the attic, basement, cellar, etc., can be extended into the attic. The supply lines 43 terminate in the sealed zone 2 to deliver modified air that replaces the extracted air. The supply lines 43 are open at their free end to provide at least one delivery outlet 43'. The supply lines 43 may include several delivery outlets (multiple outlet holes and / or branch lines).

[0060] The implementation device 4 may include fans for better air circulation in the different spaces when the sealed zone 2 is of large volume or includes, as here, a multiplicity of rooms for a building-type element 1.

[0061] The modified air in the sealed zone 2 maintains the aforementioned residual oxygen levels, temperature, and humidity throughout the treatment period. To continuously maintain this modified air at the appropriate characteristics, the modified air production system 41 is controlled via the supervisory system 40 based on data received from the control sensors 44 to 47. The sampling of measurements and the location of the sensors depend, in particular, on the configuration of the sealed zone (single volume or several interconnected volumes, multi-level volume, etc.).

[0062] The residual oxygen, temperature, and humidity sensors 44 to 46, respectively, are arranged in the sealed zone 2. They are advantageously located in the most representative and least favorable areas. For temperature monitoring, the least favorable areas are those with the greatest temperature gradients, particularly in attics where it is hotter in summer and in cellars where it is cooler. For humidity control, the most representative and least favorable areas are cellars or bathrooms in a building. For residual oxygen control, the most representative areas are those where air circulation is poor. To save installation time, the sensors can be directly attached to the supply pipe(s) 43 ([Fig. 6]).The sensors are arranged at a distance from the supply outlet(s) of the supply lines 43 (where the injected air is blown) so that the measurements are representative of the ambient air within the sealed zone 2.

[0063] In order to compensate for possible leakage lines, particularly at the junction of the sealing means 3 and the perimeter fixing surfaces of the sealing means, the sealed zone 2, thanks to the implementation device 4 of the treatment process, is continuously under slight positive pressure relative to the external environment. In particular, the pressure prevailing in the sealed zone 2 is greater of no more than 10 Pa relative to the external pressure. Preferably, one or more pressure sensors 47 are distributed within the sealed zone 2 to monitor pressure and overpressure. The pressure sensors ensure that the pressure is sufficient in all zones and prevent leaks before they occur. In addition, a vacuum controller can be installed outside the sealed zone, connected to various pipes within the sealed zone to detect a pressure differential threshold.

[0064] The sensors 44 to 47 can be wired or wireless. The sensors 44 to 47 and / or the monitoring system 40 are preferably capable of wireless remote communication. Preferably, the sensors 44 to 47 and / or the monitoring system 40 are capable of transmitting critical alert and / or incident threshold data to a mobile phone.

[0065] The power supply for the air extractors 41 and the modified air production system 42 is provided by a connection to an electrical network external to the element 1 or to the electrical network that supplies the element 1 when the latter is, for example, a building. Preferably, the implementation device 4 includes a backup generator set for the operation of the various electrical devices, in particular the air extractors 41 and the modified air production system 42, in the event of a power outage in order to ensure continuity of treatment.

[0066] Advantageously, the implementation device 4 includes one or more cameras 48 located inside and / or outside the sealed area 2. Preferably, when the element 1 constitutes a structure that is normally accessible to a person, at least one camera is placed in the immediate vicinity and outside the sealed area 2 to secure the entire sealed area and the implementation device. Indeed, since the interior of the sealed area is depleted of oxygen, it is impossible to breathe there, and access must be prohibited and monitored.

[0067] Furthermore, it may be envisaged to arrange within the sealed zone 2 systems for controlling insect activity such as thermal cameras and / or ultrasonic devices.

[0068] Once the implementation device 4 is installed, the second stage of the pest control process can begin. The modified air production system 42 is switched on and injects modified air into the sealed zone 2. Once a suppression threshold is reached, the extractors 41 are switched on to extract the air from the sealed zone 2, while the modified air production system 42 continues its injection to replace all of the original air with modified air. When the sensors 44 to 46 detect that the entire sealed zone 2 is placed under a suitable modified atmosphere, the sealed zone 2 remains under this atmosphere for a predetermined time that depends on the volume to be treated. The duration of the treatment (retention of the zone) The airtight seal (sealed under appropriate modified air) can last from several hours to several days, or even up to several weeks. The pressure is controlled so that the sealed area remains slightly depressurized throughout the treatment. The oxygen level, temperature, and humidity are also controlled throughout the treatment so that the modified air retains its initial characteristics of depleted oxygen, a temperature below 50°C, and a relative humidity of no more than 60%. The treatment duration, residual oxygen level, temperature, and humidity will be determined based on factors such as the type of pest and the volume to be treated. Once the treatment period is complete, the implementation device 4 and the sealing means 3 can be removed. The sealing means 3 are intended to be destroyed.The filters on the extractors 41 will be changed regularly, or even after each use, depending on the type of pests. The external surfaces of the supply pipes 43 and the sensors 44 to 47 should preferably be cleaned before reuse.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for destroying pests from at least one element (1) to be treated, said element being a structure with a volume greater than 500 m3 of the built type and accessible to a person, the method comprising the following steps: - in situ construction of a sealed zone (2) in which said at least one element is arranged; - installation of anti-intrusion security means inside the sealed envelope (2) and anti-intrusion detection means arranged in an external zone immediately around the sealed zone;- injecting into the sealed zone (2) a modified air and extracting the air initially located in the sealed zone (2), the modified air having an oxygen level of less than 20%, preferably an oxygen level between 1 and 15%, and having a temperature of less than 50°C and a relative humidity of at most 60%, the method using air extractors (41) which are connected to the sealed zone (2) via extraction pipes passing in a sealed manner through the sealed envelope, supply pipes (43) for the modified air which pass in a sealed manner through the sealed envelope and are brought into all necessary spaces of the building, and fans in different spaces of the sealed zone (2);- maintaining the sealed zone (2) with the modified air for a determined treatment duration and - controlling and regulating an overpressure of the sealed zone for the entire duration of the treatment, the controlling and regulating being implemented by control sensors (44, 45, 46) of the residual oxygen level, the temperature, and the relative humidity, the sensors being arranged in the sealed zone.;

2. A method of destroying pests according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises continuous operations of controlling and regulating the oxygen level, the temperature and the humidity in the sealed zone filled with modified air.

3. A method of destroying pests according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the relative humidity in the sealed area (2) is between 30 and 60%, preferably between 35% and 45%, and even more preferably around 40%.

4. A method of destroying pests according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature in the sealed zone (2) is between 22°C and 45°C, preferably between 30 and 45°C, and even more preferably between 30°C and 35°C.

5. Method for destroying pests according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the in situ construction of a sealed zone (2) consists of arranging sealing means (3) around said at least one element (1) to be treated, in particular of manufacturing a sealed protective bubble around said at least one element and / or of sealing the openings of the element in a sealed manner if the latter has openings.

6. A method of destroying pests according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the in situ construction of a sealed area (2) consists of arranging sealing means (3) made of plastic against and / or around the element, in particular the sealing means (3) made of plastic being in the form of one or more plastic films which can in particular be joined together by heat welding, preferably the plastic films being heat-shrinkable.

7. A method of destroying pests according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is used to destroy insects and fungi, whether the fungus as such or mycelia, hyphae, rhizomorphs.

8. Installation for implementing the method of destroying pests in a structure with a volume greater than 500 m3 of the built type and accessible to a person, according to any one of the preceding claims, the installation comprising sealing means (3) for constructing in situ the sealed zone (2) by completely surrounding said at least one element (1) to be treated, and an implementation device (4) for sucking air from the sealed zone (2) and injecting modified air having an oxygen level of less than 20%, in particular between 1 and 15%, in particular between 1 and 10%, preferably between 2 and 7%, and having a temperature of less than 50°C and a relative humidity of at most 60%, preferably the implementation device (4) being capable of controlling and regulating the parameters of the modified air within the sealed zone, the implementation device (4) also being capable of controlling and regulating an overpressure of the sealed zone with the modified air and the installation comprises presence detection means, such as cameras, arranged inside and outside the sealed zone (2), the cameras also being able to constitute means of detecting the rupture of the sealed zone.

9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing means (3) are made of plastic, in particular the sealing means (3) made of plastic being in the form of one or more plastic films which can in particular be joined together by heat-sealing, preferably the plastic films being heat-shrinkable.

10. Installation according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the implementation device (4) comprises: - a supervision system (40) such as a computer; - at least one air extractor (41) connected to the sealed zone (2) and opening outside the sealed zone, and extraction pipes passing in a sealed manner through the sealed envelope and connected to the air extractor; - a modified air production system (42) for supplying modified air to the sealed zone (2), the modified air production system (42) comprising an oxygen-depleted air generator and a heating and humidification system coupled to the air generator; - at least one supply pipe (43) conveying the modified air from the production system (42) into the sealed zone (2) by passing in a sealed manner through the sealed envelope;- fans in different spaces of the sealed area (2) and - control sensors (44, 45, 46) of the residual oxygen level, the temperature, and the relative humidity, and preferably pressure sensors (47), the sensors being arranged in the sealed area (2) and transmitting their measurement data to the supervision system (40).;

11. Installation for implementing the method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the modified air production system (42) captures air in the external environment, preferably said modified air production system (42) is a mobile unit.

12. Installation for implementing the method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the sensors (44, 45, 46, 47) and / or the supervision system (40) are capable of transmitting remotely, in particular on a mobile telephone, critical alert and / or incident threshold data.

13. Installation for implementing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that it comprises insect activity monitoring systems such as thermal cameras and / or ultrasonic devices.

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