Vermin repellent, manufacturing method thereof, and vermin repellent device

Abstract

To provide a vermin repellent effective for a monkey which is a desired repellent target though it can be introduced at low cost and with low labor, a manufacturing method thereof, and a vermin repellent device.SOLUTION: A vermin repellent device 2' includes a vermin repellent 1, a storage container 3 for storing the vermin repellent 1 put into a net-like bag 7 beforehand, and a lid part 4 for suppressing intrusion of rainwater into the storage container 3. The storage container 3 includes an opening 5 at a part of a contact part that comes in contact with the vermin repellent 1 through the net-like bag 7. The vermin repellent 1 is a fermentation product of fermentation raw material which does not contain fungi or enzymes other than those originated from fish or shellfish constituting the fermentation raw material, which is a soft solid with the hardness which does not leak outside the storage container 3 from the opening 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an animal repellent and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to an animal repellent for repelling monkeys and a method for manufacturing the same, and also to an animal repellent device using the animal repellent. [Background technology]

[0002] Damage to agricultural crops caused by wild animals in Japan has existed for a long time. In Japan, wild animals such as monkeys, wild boars, deer, raccoon dogs, and foxes are the primary destructive animals of agricultural crops, causing significant damage to agricultural production and daily life. Monkeys, in particular, are highly intelligent animals, and their high learning ability, intelligence, and sociality make them difficult to deal with. For example, once they invade orchards or farmland and find food, they memorize the location and method and repeat the same behavior. Therefore, once damaged, farmland or orchards are likely to be damaged again. They also sometimes study methods of invading farmland or orchards surrounded by fences or nets, and find ways to get around the fences. Furthermore, monkeys share information among themselves, and other monkeys may gather in areas that have already been damaged, causing further damage.

[0003] Damage to agricultural crops by monkeys in mountainous and rural areas has long been so severe that it has had an impact on the local economy. In particular, because persimmons, grapes, peaches, and other fruits are attractive food sources for monkeys, they frequently invade orchards during the fruit-rich season, significantly impacting orchard management and the livelihoods of local residents. Furthermore, in recent years, damage to agricultural crops has also increased in urban and plain areas. One of the main factors behind this is the destruction and reduction of monkey habitats. With the advance of urbanization, monkey habitats are shrinking, forcing them to move closer to human living areas. Climate and environmental changes are also affecting monkey behavior, increasing the frequency of monkey intrusions into agricultural land and orchards.

[0004] Various measures have been tried to prevent damage to crops caused by animals such as monkeys. For example, physical barriers (protective fences) are installed in orchards, such as electric fences and nets, to prevent animals from entering. Other methods use sounds and smells to intimidate or scare away animals.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to protective fences, which uses a navy blue first net twisted yarn made from synthetic resin net twisted yarn and repellent-added net twisted yarn, a green second net twisted yarn, and positive and negative conductive net twisted yarns knotted with conductive twisted yarns for positive and negative poles made from twisted wire. This allows the first net twisted yarn to blend into the air, disrupting the presence of the net, and the second net twisted yarn to blend into the crops in the field, disrupting the presence of the net, thereby preventing monkeys from entering.

[0006] Furthermore, as a technology utilizing scents, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that uses the excrement of other animals that are repelled by the target animal, or the scent substances of that excrement. In particular, when small animals such as dogs, cats, raccoon dogs, monkeys, and deer are targeted as repelling targets, Patent Document 2 discloses the use of scent substances from the urine or feces of large animals such as tigers, lions, leopards, bears, and elephants as other animals. Patent Document 2 describes an experiment in which the repellent effect was confirmed by spraying the urine of large animals within the movement range of the target animal.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a repellent containing at least one active ingredient selected from methyl propyl ketone, 2-ethylhexanol, ethyl methyl sulfide, methyl pentyl ketone, and di-n-octyl phthalate, as a technology that does not spray excrement (urine, feces), and is therefore hygienic. This repellent is said to repel deer, wild boars, monkeys, raccoons, palm civets, cats, crows, and other animals. This technology discovered that wolf urine contains a repellent component that induces instinctive repellent behavior against harmful birds and animals and whose effectiveness is not easily diminished by learning. This component was identified, and a compound containing this component (e.g., a reagent prepared separately, rather than derived from wolf urine) was used as a repellent. Patent Document 3 also describes an experiment in which a liquid version of the compound was applied to deer food to confirm its repellent effect against deer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-307009 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-189684 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-33308 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Protective fences and nets such as those described in Patent Document 1 can be said to be the most direct way to prevent the intrusion of animals such as monkeys. However, installing protective nets requires considerable costs. Especially when protecting a wide area or high places, installing the net requires significant effort and cost. Furthermore, electric nets require constant electrical current, and regular maintenance requires time and effort due to deterioration of the protective net over time and partial damage caused by wild animals. As a result, the adoption of protective fences and nets can be a significant cost burden for installers such as farmers and orchard managers.

[0010] Using excrement (urine, feces) from other animals, as in Patent Document 2, raises hygiene concerns. For example, if the odor is unpleasant to humans, it may affect the surrounding environment and living environment. Furthermore, when using excrement or compounds for repellency, as in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the effectiveness may vary depending on the target. In other words, the repellent effect may be limited to certain animals (wildlife) and may not be effective against the intended target animals (e.g., monkeys). Furthermore, certain chemicals may have adverse effects on soil, water quality, and ecosystems. Furthermore, when liquid repellents are used by spraying or painting, their effectiveness may be weakened by natural factors, such as penetration into the soil or runoff or scattering due to rain or wind. Furthermore, the urine of large animals, such as tigers and bears, is not readily available, which may increase the cost of the repellent. Similarly, the cost of certain compounds may also be high depending on their manufacturing method.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide an animal repellent that can be introduced at low cost and with little effort, yet is effective against monkeys, which are the desired target of repellency, as well as a method for producing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The animal repellent of the present invention is characterized in that it is intended to repel monkeys and is made of a solid fermented product of a fermentation raw material containing at least seafood and salt. In a preferred embodiment, the animal repellent is a fermented product of the fermentation raw material that does not contain any fungi or enzymes derived from seafood.

[0013] The method for producing an animal repellent of the present invention is characterized by comprising a raw material preparation step of grinding raw materials containing at least seafood and adding salt to the obtained ground material in a mass ratio of ground material:salt = 3:1 to 20:1 to prepare a fermentation raw material, and a fermentation step of placing the fermentation raw material in a room not exposed to direct sunlight, with a drainage path for the liquid that is generated, and fermenting it at room temperature for a fermentation period of one month or more to obtain the fermentation product.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the raw material preparation step is characterized in that no fungi or enzymes other than those derived from seafood are mixed with the fermentation raw material.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the salt added in the raw material preparation step is in a mass ratio of the pulverized material to salt of 8:1 to 12:1, and the fermentation period in the fermentation step is 3 months or more and 12 months or less.

[0016] The animal repellent device of the present invention is characterized by comprising the animal repellent of the present invention, a storage container that contains the animal repellent and has an opening that serves as an entrance and exit for air to and from the outside, and a lid that prevents rainwater from entering the storage container.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the storage container has the opening at a part of the contact area that comes into contact with the animal repellent directly or through a mesh bag, and the animal repellent is a soft solid that is hard enough not to leak out of the storage container through the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The animal repellent of the present invention targets monkeys and is made of a solid fermented product of a fermentation raw material containing at least seafood and salt. Therefore, no large animal feces or specific compounds are required. Simply placing the product at the target location is all that is required, allowing for low-cost, low-labor introduction. Furthermore, the product is highly effective against monkeys, which are the desired target of repellency. Furthermore, because it is in solid form, its effectiveness lasts longer than that of a liquid product.

[0019] The method for producing an animal repellent of the present invention comprises a raw material preparation step in which raw materials containing at least seafood are crushed, and salt is added to the resulting crushed material in a mass ratio of crushed material:salt = 3:1 to 20:1 to prepare a fermentation raw material, and a fermentation step in which the fermentation raw material is placed in a room not exposed to direct sunlight, with an outlet for the liquid that is generated, and fermented at room temperature for a fermentation period of one month or more to obtain a fermentation product.Therefore, the animal repellent can be produced at low cost using the minimum amount of raw materials, seafood and salt, without the need for pre-processing or sun drying.

[0020] Furthermore, since no fungi or enzymes other than those derived from seafood are added to the fermented raw materials during the raw material preparation process, this contributes to lowering the cost of the repellent. Furthermore, the fermented and dried repellent produced has a degree of fermentation and maturation suitable for use as a monkey repellent, with a scent that is not disruptive to the human living environment, yet is highly effective at repelling monkeys.

[0021] The animal repellent device of the present invention comprises the animal repellent of the present invention, a storage container that contains the animal repellent and has an opening that allows air to enter and exit from the outside, and a lid that prevents rainwater from entering the storage container, allowing for the gradual release of scent components and the like into the surrounding area from the opening and preventing the repellent from leaking or scattering due to natural factors such as rain and wind. As a result, the repellent effect is less likely to decrease and the duration of its effect can be extended.

[0022] The container has an opening at a portion of the contact area that comes into contact with the animal repellent of the present invention, either directly or via a mesh bag, and the animal repellent is in a soft, solid form that is hard enough not to leak out of the container from the opening, so that the scent component is easily gradually released from the repellent placed in close proximity to the opening to the outside of the container, and it is also possible to prevent it from leaking out of the opening like a liquid. Also, because it is in a soft, solid form, moisture is contained and retained in the solid content, and as the moisture gradually evaporates, some of the scent component spreads to the outside, thereby extending the duration of the effect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a photograph showing an example (Example) of the animal repellent of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an example of a manufacturing process for the animal repellent of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an animal repellent device of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of openings of a storage container. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of sealing an opening of a storage container. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the animal repellent device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The animal repellent of the present invention, placed in a container or the like near a field where agricultural crops are grown, a crop storage facility, or a house, inhibits and repels wild animals such as monkeys, thereby reducing damage to the crops. In Japan, harmful wild birds and animals that damage agricultural crops include monkeys, deer, wild boars, raccoon dogs, foxes, raccoons, palm civets, cats, crows, and pigeons. The effectiveness of repellents varies depending on the target bird or animal, and the animal repellent of the present invention exhibits extremely high repellent effects against monkeys, as shown in the examples described below. Test results indicate that the repellent is less effective (almost nonexistent) against deer and crows (see Table 1). Specific agricultural crops that are subject to damage by monkeys include a wide variety of crops, including chestnuts, persimmons, grapes, peaches, pears, apples, mandarin oranges, shiitake mushrooms, pumpkins, corn, green beans, and watermelons.

[0025] The animal repellent of the present invention will be explained with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a photograph showing an example of the animal repellent of the present invention (Example). The animal repellent of the present invention is composed of a solid fermentation product of a fermentation raw material containing at least seafood and salt. That is, this animal repellent is a fermentation product and is solid in nature. Here, "solid" does not mean a liquid, but a state that can maintain a predetermined shape for a certain period of time (e.g., one hour or more), and this concept also includes soft solids containing moisture. Since the animal repellent of the present invention is a fermentation product of seafood, which is originally high in moisture, it contains a certain amount of moisture and is typically in the form of the soft solid described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the animal repellent 1 of the present invention is in the form of miso paste, can be easily deformed with the force of fingers, and can maintain its shape for a certain period of time.

[0026] The moisture content of the animal repellent of the present invention is not particularly limited, but because the original seafood raw material contains a very high moisture content (usually about 80% by mass) as described above, the moisture content of the final fermentation product, the animal repellent, relative to the total mass is, for example, about 5 to 60% by mass. When such a fermented product is intended for consumption, it is desirable to dehydrate the fermentation raw material to a certain moisture content (for example, 50% by mass or less) when preparing it to prevent spoilage during fermentation. However, such adjustment is not necessary in the present invention; it is sufficient that the final moisture content is sufficient to maintain the above-mentioned solid form. Note that, since the fermentation raw material is seafood, unless water is added separately when preparing the fermentation raw material, the moisture content will usually be about the above-mentioned level to maintain the solid form after fermentation.

[0027] The animal repellent of the present invention preferably has the above-mentioned soft solid form. The soft solid is a thixotropic solid, and can be described as, for example, a clay-like or grease-like solid, in addition to the miso-like form described above. The degree of softness is sufficient so that the animal repellent does not spontaneously leak over time from the opening of the mesh bag or container in which it is placed. This degree of softness, in terms of the moisture content, may be approximately 5 to 60% by mass (the remainder being solids). Being a soft solid, such as miso-like, allows the moisture retained in the solid to gradually evaporate, resulting in the gradual release of odor components and extending the duration of the repellent effect. As the gradual release of volatile components such as moisture and odor components progresses, the softness of the animal repellent gradually disappears, eventually approaching that of a powder-like solid.

[0028] The fermentation raw materials for the animal repellent of the present invention will now be described. As the raw material for the fermentation raw material, seafood that is normally used for food, such as marine or freshwater fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, can be used. Furthermore, since the animal repellent of the present invention is not intended for food use, seafood that is not normally used for food (e.g., for feed) can also be used. Specific examples of seafood that can be used in the present invention include sand lance, squid, octopus, sardine, mackerel, red sea bream, flounder, amberjack, tiger pufferfish, yellowtail, tuna, eel, catfish, sweetfish, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, smelt, white name shrimp, kuruma prawn, Penaeus monodon, white leg shrimp, swimming crab, krill, krill (Malacostraca, Eumalocostraca, Peracaridae, Mysididae), and other mysids (Malacostraca, Eumalocostraca, Peracaridae, Mysididae).

[0029] Among these, it is preferable to use small shrimp (small crustaceans) such as shrimp, krill, and mysids as raw materials, as they are relatively inexpensive, compact, and therefore easy to produce repellents even in small-scale facilities, and the repellency after fermentation is easy to ensure.

[0030] The raw fish and shellfish may be the whole fish, the flesh (fish meat, etc.), or the processed residues, including the head, bones, organs, tail, skin, scales, etc., which are by-products after the flesh is separated and commercialized.

[0031] The salt used as the fermentation raw material is not particularly limited in type, and refined salt, rock salt, solar salt, seaweed salt, lake salt, etc. can be used. The manufacturing method is also not particularly limited, and any of the following can be used: salt obtained by electrolysis, salt obtained by adding minerals or bittern, salt obtained by boiling in a pot, etc. The purity is also not particularly limited, and any of ordinary salt with a sodium chloride purity of 95% or more, salt with a sodium chloride purity of 99% or more, and special-grade salt with a sodium chloride purity of 99.5% or more can be used. Because the salt is not intended for food use and the fermentation period is sufficiently long, commonly available salt as described above has little impact on its performance as an animal repellent, and can be selected taking cost into consideration.

[0032] The animal repellent of the present invention is a fermentation product of the fermentation raw material described above. In the fermentation raw material, fermentation proceeds due to the action of autolytic enzymes (proteases contained in the internal organs) derived from seafood and enzymes secreted by bacteria and mold contaminating the raw material, causing the seafood to lose its shape and become partially liquefied. The remaining solid content of this liquid is the fermentation product of the present invention, and is obtained as a product containing solid matter such as the hard skeleton and fish meat, salt, water, amino acids obtained by decomposition of the animal protein in seafood, and nucleic acids contained in seafood. This fermentation product may also contain the fishy odor characteristic of seafood and a putrid odor caused by the action of putrefactive bacteria.

[0033] The method for producing the animal repellent of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing an example of the process for producing the animal repellent of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the manufacturing process for the animal repellent of the present invention can be broadly divided into (S1) a raw material preparation process for preparing a fermentation raw material, and (S2) a fermentation process for fermenting the fermentation raw material to obtain a fermentation product.

[0034] (S1) Fermentation raw material preparation process In this process, raw materials containing seafood are first pulverized. The seafood used as raw materials is as described above. For pulverization, a hammer mill, ball mill, jet mill, homogenizer (meat chopper), mortar, etc. can be used as appropriate depending on the processing amount, etc. By grinding and finely pulverizing small shrimp, etc., the digestive enzymes and bacteria derived from the seafood are thoroughly mixed, which facilitates the fermentation process.

[0035] Next, salt is blended with the resulting pulverized material. The salt used in the fermentation raw material is as described above. The amount of salt blended is, for example, a mass ratio of pulverized material to salt of 3:1 to 20:1. The salt concentration is approximately 5 to 25% by mass. When such a fermented material is used for food, the salt concentration is often set to approximately 20 to 30% by mass when preparing the fermentation raw material to prevent spoilage during fermentation. However, since some spoilage is acceptable in the present invention, the above-mentioned salt concentration is not problematic. The amount of salt blended is preferably a mass ratio of pulverized material to salt of 8:1 to 12:1. Most preferably, the mass ratio of pulverized material to salt is 9:1 to 11:1. By blending in such amounts, fermentation and maturation suitable for use as an animal repellent can be achieved while minimizing the salt content.

[0036] In the raw material preparation step, it is preferable not to mix any fungi or enzymes other than those derived from the seafood used with the fermentation raw material. It is also preferable not to mix either fungi or enzymes. Examples of fungi and enzymes other than those derived from seafood include koji mold, yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and commercially available enzyme preparations. Examples of koji mold include soy sauce koji mold (Aspergillus sojae) and yellow koji mold (Aspergillus oryzae).

[0037] Typically, fermented products for food use are not simply made by fermenting seafood and salt, but rather by adding koji, lactic acid bacteria, and, if necessary, commercially available enzyme preparations, etc., to the fermentation process, which preserves the uniquely pleasant flavor of seafood while suppressing its fishy odor, resulting in a delicious, palatable food product (fish miso, fish sauce). Unlike such food applications, the present invention is an animal repellent, and since taste is not particularly required, there is no need to add additional fungi or enzymes other than those derived from seafood. By not adding these ingredients, the cost of raw materials for the animal repellent can be reduced.

[0038] Furthermore, by not adding any fungi or enzymes other than those derived from seafood to the fermented ingredients, it is possible to allow for moderate fermentation and aging as an animal repellent, and the smell is unpleasant to monkeys, while not affecting the human living environment (enough to be eaten by people who don't mind it).As a result, it can be used as a monkey repellent in places close to their living areas.

[0039] In addition to seafood and salt, other ingredients may be blended into the fermentation raw material as needed. Examples include spices such as chili pepper, garlic, and ginger; starches such as wheat, rice, and corn; animal or plant proteins other than seafood; and various vegetables. In particular, the inclusion of spices may be effective in repelling harmful birds and animals other than monkeys. In the present invention, in order to reduce costs, it is preferable that the fermentation raw material contains only seafood and salt, and nothing else. In addition, as mentioned above, since the seafood contained in the fermentation raw material contains a very high amount of water, it is usually not necessary to blend additional water into the fermentation raw material in the raw material preparation step.

[0040] Regarding the pretreatment of raw materials, for edible purposes, seafood may be pre-treated by washing, steaming, soaking in water, etc. Typically, such steaming is carried out by holding seafood at a temperature of 70°C or higher for several tens of minutes, and soaking in water is carried out by exposing seafood to water for several tens of minutes. These pre-treatments are carried out, particularly when the seafood used is not very fresh, for the purpose of removing fishy odors and removing vegetative cells of bacteria derived from seafood. In contrast, for the animal repellent of the present invention, it is preferable not to pre-treat the raw seafood in this way (using non-pre-treated seafood) in the raw material preparation process. This reduces the production cost of the animal repellent and is expected to improve its effectiveness as a repellent by allowing appropriate fermentation and decay to proceed.

[0041] (S2) Fermentation process of fermentation raw materials This process involves fermenting the fermentation raw material, which contains crushed seafood and salt and was obtained in the raw material preparation process (S1). The fermentation raw material is placed in a room that is not exposed to direct sunlight and fermented at room temperature for a period of one month or more to obtain a fermented product. The fermentation location of the fermentation raw material is preferably indoors that is not exposed to direct sunlight. By fermenting in an environment that is not exposed to direct sunlight, evaporation of water is slowed, allowing the fermentation raw material to ferment and mature for a long period of time (one month or more) while maintaining a high moisture content. By leaving the fermentation raw material to sit for a long time in this way, it becomes more likely to produce an odor that is unpleasant to monkeys.

[0042] Even during fermentation, there is no need for temporary treatment such as exposing the fermentation raw materials to direct sunlight for heating and drying (sun drying). Furthermore, no particular treatment such as stirring or turning is required. Proper ventilation in the room where the fermentation raw materials are placed can prevent odors from building up. Furthermore, when placing the fermentation raw materials indoors, there are no particular restrictions on how they are placed; they may be placed in a container, or simply covered with a net. In either case, it is preferable to provide a drainage path for the liquid that is generated from the fermentation raw materials over time. This drainage path is intended to prevent the fermentation raw materials themselves from being immersed in the generated liquid and to ensure steady progress of fermentation; for example, it can be provided as a groove below the fermentation raw materials.

[0043] The liquid that is generated can be disposed of externally through the discharge channel, or it can be stored in a storage container connected to the discharge channel and used separately. Because this liquid contains the same components as the animal repellent (solid content side), which is a fermentation product, it can also be used as a supplement to the animal repellent (sprayed near the installation location). Depending on the intended use, this liquid can also be subjected to heating and filtration processes.

[0044] The temperature in the room where the fermentation takes place is not particularly limited, and does not need to be adjusted by air conditioning or other means; it can be a temperature that changes depending on day and night and seasonal changes. For example, it can fluctuate between about 3°C ​​and 40°C. Even if the room temperature is low, the heat of fermentation will allow the fermentation and aging to proceed slowly over time.

[0045] The fermentation period is preferably one month or longer, more preferably two months or longer, and even more preferably three months or longer. By extending the fermentation time, sufficient fermentation and maturation can be achieved using only seafood and salt as fermentation ingredients, without the need for additional ingredients such as commercially available enzyme preparations, and fermentation can be carried out at room temperature without the use of energy such as heating, resulting in a repellent that exhibits high repellent effects against monkeys. The upper limit of the fermentation time is not particularly limited, but can be set to within 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, or the like, taking into account factors such as productivity of the repellent.

[0046] The animal repellent device of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the animal repellent device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , the animal repellent device 2 of the present invention comprises an animal repellent 1, a storage container 3 for storing the animal repellent 1, and a lid 4 for preventing rainwater from entering the storage container 3. The storage container 3 has an opening 5 at its bottom, which serves as an entrance and exit point for air to and from the outside. The shape of the storage container 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can store the animal repellent therein. For example, it can be rectangular (as shown in FIG. 3 ), polygonal, or round in plan view. The shape of the lid 4 is also not particularly limited as long as it can prevent rainwater from entering the storage container 3. It can be rectangular, polygonal, or round, matching the shape of the storage container in plan view. Furthermore, the lid 4 can be a member that fits directly onto the storage container 3 to seal it, or it can be an umbrella-shaped member that leaves a space above the storage container 3. In this case, the lid 4 can be larger than the storage container 3 so that it completely covers the storage container 3 in plan view.

[0047] The animal repellent device 2 also has a handle 6 at the upper end of the container 3. By hooking the handle 6 onto a tree branch or the like, the animal repellent device 2 can be hung from the tree.

[0048] The storage container 3 can gradually release odor components and the like generated from the animal repellent 1 to the outside of the container through an opening 5 at the bottom of the container. The location of the opening 5 on the storage container 3 is not particularly limited, and may be provided, for example, at the bottom of the storage container 3 or at the lower side of the storage container 3. From the viewpoint of sustained release, the opening 5 is preferably provided at a part of the contact area that comes into direct contact with the animal repellent 1 (or via a mesh bag, described below) to facilitate the sustained release of odor components generated from the animal repellent 1 inside the storage container 3 to the outside of the container. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing rainwater from entering, the opening 5 is preferably provided at the bottom of the storage container 3. Since the animal repellent 1 is usually placed at the bottom of the storage container 3, it is preferable to provide the opening 5 at the bottom of the storage container 3, as shown in FIG. 3, from the viewpoints of both sustained release and preventing rainwater from entering. Alternatively, in addition to providing such an opening at the bottom, ventilation holes may be provided at the upper side of the storage container. Providing ventilation holes or spaces other than at the bottom facilitates smooth air flow inside and outside the container.

[0049] Examples of the shape of the opening of the storage container are shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c) are views of the storage container from the bottom side. The opening 5 in FIG. 4(a) is the opening of the type shown in FIG. 3, consisting of five holes. Each of the five holes is several millimeters to several tens of millimeters in size and is aligned like the fives on a die. The opening 5A in FIG. 4(b) is an opening consisting of a single large hole in the center. The opening 5B in FIG. 4(c) is a mesh-like opening formed in the center. The larger the opening (opening area), the better the release of scent components and the greater the repellent effect. On the other hand, the larger the opening (opening area), the greater the possibility of rainwater and moisture entering, the outflow of animal repellent, and damage by birds and animals (for example, birds pecking with their beaks). Based on this, the shape of the opening can be appropriately determined depending on the surrounding environment.

[0050] An example of sealing the opening of the storage container is shown in Figure 5. As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 5, when the animal repellent is transferred or sold, the opening 5 is sealed with a seal 8. Then, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 5, the purchaser peels off the seal 8 when they begin using the product. This prevents the scent components from leaking out when the animal repellent is purchased or stored unused, minimizing adverse effects on the environment around the container. Furthermore, by maintaining the airtightness of the inside of the storage container 3 with the seal 8, the evaporation of moisture containing the scent components from the animal repellent itself can be suppressed, resulting in excellent storage properties.

[0051] Furthermore, the means for sealing the opening 5 is not limited to the seal 8, but may be, for example, a detachable plug or lid, an openable and closable window structure, or the like.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of an animal repellent device of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in an animal repellent device 2' of the present invention, animal repellent 1 is placed in advance in a mesh bag 7 and stored in a storage container 3. In the animal repellent device 2', the configuration other than the mesh bag 7 is the same as that of the animal repellent device 2 shown in FIG. 3. By placing the animal repellent 1 in advance in the mesh bag 7, even if the animal repellent 1 dries and loses viscosity over time or even turns into powder, the animal repellent 1 is retained inside the mesh bag 7 and is prevented from leaking out through the opening 5. In addition, the animal repellent 1 can be prevented from directly sticking to the inside of the container, making it easy to replace.

[0053] The net bag 7 may be any mesh bag with openings small enough to prevent the animal repellent from leaking, and may be made of nonwoven fabric, paper, plastic, or the like.

[0054] The method of using the animal repellent device of the present invention will now be described. The animal repellent device is used by placing it near a field where crops grow, near a crop tree, near a crop storage shed, or near a house. If the container has an opening at the bottom, it is used with the bottom unblocked. For example, it can be hung from a tree branch. As described above, if the container has a handle, it can be hung from a tree branch by hooking the handle onto the tree branch. Furthermore, if there is a ventilated space around the bottom opening, the container can be placed anywhere without being hung.

[0055] Since the degree of diffusion of the scent component of the animal repellent of the present invention affects its repellent effect, it is important that the device be placed near the target crops to be protected, and the wind direction is also important. In other words, by placing the animal repellent device upwind of the target crops, the repellent effect can be achieved over a wide area downwind. Since there are seasonal main wind directions depending on the region, high effectiveness can be expected by placing the device taking into account the wind direction environment in that region. [Example]

[0056] The seafood used was small shrimp such as krill, mysids, etc., which were ground in a mortar and pestle to create a pulverized product. This seafood was not subjected to any pre-processing such as boiling. Salt (refined salt) was added to this pulverized product in a mass ratio of 10:1 pulverized product to salt, and the mixture was mixed well to create the fermentation raw material. This fermentation raw material was prepared using only the above seafood and salt, and did not contain any fungi or enzymes other than those derived from seafood. The water was only that contained in the original seafood, with no additional water added.

[0057] The resulting fermented ingredients were placed on a wire rack in a room away from direct sunlight. They were left to ferment and mature at natural room temperature for six months (from spring to autumn) without operating any air conditioning equipment. The room temperature fluctuated between 10 and 30°C. A drainage channel for the liquid generated from the fermented ingredients was provided below the area where the ingredients were placed, and the liquid leaking from the wire rack was stored in a separate container. No sun drying or stirring was performed during the six months required for fermentation. A photograph of the resulting solid fermented product is shown in Figure 1. The fermented product (animal repellent) was a soft solid with a consistency and texture similar to that of edible miso. It also had a slightly strong odor.

[0058] Example 1 In a mountainous village in Odai Town, Taki District, Mie Prefecture (November), two animal repellent devices (similar to those shown in Figure 6, each approximately 5 cm long) containing 20 g of the repellent were prepared and hung on the branches of persimmon trees frequented by monkeys. A group of 10–20 monkeys had gathered around the tree the day before installation. However, the day after installation, not a single monkey approached, and even after two months, no monkeys approached. The trees were still plentiful. Furthermore, deer and crows were observed approaching the same tree regardless of whether the repellent was present. The results are shown in Table 1. A "Good" in Table 1 indicates that the target animal completely stopped approaching, and this continued for at least one month. A "Poor" in Table 1 indicates that there was little or no noticeable effect on the target animal.

[0059] Example 2 Two animal repellent devices (shown in Figure 6, each approximately 5 cm on a side) containing the obtained animal repellent (20 g) were prepared and hung on nearby tree branches in a mountain near a village in the mountainous region of Odai Town, Taki District, Mie Prefecture (November). These devices were placed on stumps where monkeys congregate. As in Example 1, a group of over 10 monkeys had gathered around the stumps by the day before installation, but the day after installation, not a single monkey approached, and even after one month had passed, no monkeys had approached. The results are shown in Table 1. The evaluation method was the same as in Example 1. Repellent targets that could not be evaluated are marked with "-".

[0060] [Table 1]

[0061] As shown in the results of the Examples and Table 1, it was confirmed that the animal repellent of the present invention exhibits an extremely high repellent effect against monkeys. Furthermore, although the manufacturing (fermentation) period takes a relatively long time, the cost of materials is low, mass production is possible at once without much effort, and the amount required per device is small, so this animal repellent can be provided at an extremely low cost. [Industrial Applicability]

[0062] The animal repellent and animal repellent device of the present invention can be introduced at low cost and with little effort, yet is extremely effective against monkeys, which are the desired target of repellency, and therefore can be suitably used as a monkey repellent in mountainous areas, rural areas, urban areas, and plains, where crops are damaged by monkeys.

[0063] In addition to the aforementioned decrease in monkey habitats due to the recent advancement of urbanization and the increasing frequency of monkey damage to agricultural crops due to climate change, many agricultural workers in Japan are aging, making reducing the costs and labor required for purchasing repellents and installing fences and nets an extremely important issue. Furthermore, as the population ages, it is important to develop and support young agricultural workers. Creating an environment in which young people can become interested in agriculture and earn a stable income is essential to ensuring the sustainability of agriculture. The animal repellent of the present invention enables the repelling of monkeys, which are one of the most difficult pests to combat, at low cost and with little labor, and contributes to the creation of an environment in which young people and the elderly can engage in agriculture with peace of mind. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Animal repellent 2, 2' Animal repellent device 3. Storage container 4 Lid 5, 5A, 5B opening 6 Handle 7 mesh bags 8 Seals

Claims

1. An animal repellent for repelling monkeys, which is characterized by comprising a solid fermented product of a fermentation raw material containing at least seafood and salt.

2. The animal repellent according to claim 1, characterized in that the animal repellent is a fermentation product of the fermentation raw material to which no fungi or enzymes other than those derived from seafood are added.

3. A method for producing the animal repellent according to claim 1, a raw material preparation step of pulverizing raw materials containing at least seafood, and adding salt to the pulverized material at a mass ratio of pulverized material:salt=3:1 to 20:1 to prepare a fermentation raw material; a fermentation step of placing the fermentation raw material in a room that is not exposed to direct sunlight, with a drainage path for the liquid that is generated, and fermenting the raw material at room temperature for a fermentation period of one month or more to obtain the fermentation product; A method for producing an animal repellent, comprising:

4. 4. The method for producing an animal repellent according to claim 3, wherein in the raw material preparation step, no fungi or enzymes other than those derived from seafood are mixed with the fermented raw material.

5. The salt added in the raw material preparation step is in a mass ratio of the pulverized material:the salt=8:1 to 12:1, 5. The method for producing an animal repellent according to claim 3, wherein the fermentation period of the fermentation step is from 3 months to 12 months.

6. An animal repellent device comprising: an animal repellent as described in claim 1 or claim 2; a storage container for storing the animal repellent and having an opening for air to enter and exit the container; and a lid for preventing rainwater from entering the storage container.

7. The container has the opening at a part of a contact portion that comes into contact with the animal repellent directly or via a mesh bag, 7. The animal repellent device according to claim 6, wherein the animal repellent is a soft solid having a hardness that prevents leakage from the opening to the outside of the container.

Images