Pest control composition

Abstract

A pest control composition comprising humic acid, a polymer containing 20% to 100% by weight of monomer structural units derived from a monomer having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 30,000 daltons and a logP of 2.0 to 6.0, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to pest control compositions, and more specifically to pest control compositions containing fulvic acid.

Background Art

[0002] Pest control agents are used to control pests such as insects. The effectiveness of pest control agents can be affected by many factors. Industrially, the development of new and improved pest control compositions continues to be focused on.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first feature of the present disclosure, a pest control composition includes fulvic acid, a polymer containing 20 wt% to 100 wt% of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 daltons to 30,000 daltons and a logP of 2.0 to 6.0, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. According to a second feature of the present disclosure, the fulvic acid is 0.010 wt% to 5.000 wt% of the composition based on the total weight of the combination of fulvic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. According to a third feature of the present disclosure, the polymer is 0.10 wt% to 20.00 wt% of the composition based on the total weight of the combination of fulvic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. According to a fourth feature of the present disclosure, the polymer is a copolymer of diisobutylene and maleic anhydride. According to a fifth feature of the present disclosure, the fulvic acid has a phenol group concentration of 0.35 mmol per gram of fulvic acid to 0.45 mmol per gram of fulvic acid.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0004] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in a listing of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be used by itself or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B in combination, A and C in combination, B and C in combination, or A, B, and C in combination.

[0005] Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges include their endpoints. Subscripted values in polymer formulas refer to the molar average value of the specified component in the polymer.

[0006] Test methods refer to the latest test method at the priority date of this document, unless the date is indicated by a two-digit number with a hyphen in the test method number. References to test methods include both a reference to the test society and the test method number. Test method organizations are referred to by one of the following abbreviations: ASTM refers to ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials), EN refers to European Norm, DIN refers to Deutsches Institut fur Normung, and ISO refers to International Organization for Standards.

[0007] As used herein, "wt%", "weight percent", or "percent by weight" of a component is based on the total weight of the composition or article in which the component is included, unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, all percentages are by weight, unless otherwise specified.

[0008] A pest control composition is disclosed herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the pest control composition includes a polymer, fulvic acid, water, and Bacillus thuringiensis.

[0009] The pest control composition disclosed herein can be applied to plants, for example, on the surface of plants, to control pests. Advantageously, the pest control composition disclosed herein can provide improved, i.e., higher, Bacillus thuringiensis activity after exposure to light, such as sunlight, compared to other formulations. The Bacillus thuringiensis activity indicates that the pest control composition disclosed herein can provide improved pest control compared to other formulations. Surprisingly, the components of the pest control composition disclosed herein, namely, fulvic acid, polymer, and Bacillus thuringiensis, exhibit an unexpected synergistic effect for improving the Bacillus thuringiensis activity after exposure to light.

[0010] The pest control composition disclosed herein includes fulvic acid. Fulvic acid is an acidic organic polymer that can be extracted from humus soil, sediment, or an aquatic environment found in soil. Fulvic acid is identified by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number 1415-93-6 and has an average chemical formula of C 187 H 186 O 89 N 9 S 1 . Fulvic acid is commercially available. Examples of commercially available fulvic acid include, but are not limited to, products available from Sigma-Aldrich or Fisher Scientific.

[0011] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that humic acid can be a solid incorporated, for example, into the pest control compositions disclosed herein. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that humic acid can be a mixture incorporated into the pest control compositions disclosed herein, for example, a mixture of humic acid and a liquid such as water. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that humic acid can be a solution incorporated into the pest control compositions disclosed herein, for example, a solution of humic acid in a liquid such as water. Combinations of solids, mixtures, and solutions may be utilized. Humic acid can have various pH values for various applications.

[0012] Humic acid contains phenolic groups. Humic acid can have a phenolic group concentration of from 0.30 millimoles per gram of humic acid to 0.50 millimoles per gram of humic acid, determined according to the procedures described in the Examples section below. For example, humic acid can have a phenolic group concentration in millimoles per gram of humic acid of 0.30 or more, 0.31 or more, 0.32 or more, 0.33 or more, 0.34 or more, 0.35 or more, 0.36 or more, 0.37 or more, 0.375 or more, 0.38 or more, 0.39 or more, 0.40 or more, 0.41 or more, 0.42 or more, 0.43 or more, 0.44 or more, 0.45 or more, 0.46 or more, 0.47 or more, 0.48 or more, 0.49 or more, while at the same time 0.50 or less, 0.49 or less, 0.48 or less, 0.47 or less, 0.46 or less, 0.45 or less, 0.44 or less, 0.43 or less, 0.42 or less, 0.41 or less, 0.40 or less, 0.39 or less, 0.38 or less, 0.375 or less, 0.37 or less, 0.36 or less, 0.35 or less, 0.34 or less, 0.33 or less, 0.32 or less, 0.31 or less.

[0013] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can contain a polymer. As used herein, "one" refers to one or more unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, "polymer" has two or more same or different monomer structural units derived from two or more different monomers (e.g., copolymer, terpolymer, etc.). The "monomer structural unit" as used herein with respect to a polymer refers to a part of the polymer structure resulting from the reaction of the monomer(s) for forming the polymer. When referring to monomer structural units, "different" indicates that the monomer structural units differ from each other by at least one atom or are isomerically different. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the monomer structural units of the polymer result from, i.e., are formed by, the polymerization reaction of the monomers. One or more embodiments provide that the monomer structural units may undergo one or more reactions, such as hydrolysis reactions, following the polymerization reaction.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the polymer contains monomer structural units derived from monomers having a logP of 2.0 to 6.0, i.e., 20% to 100% by weight of the polymer, based on the total weight of the polymer. The polymer can contain more than 90% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a logP greater than 1.0.

[0015] For example, one or more monomer structural units may have a logP of 1.0 or greater, 1.2 or greater, 1.4 or greater, 1.6 or greater, 1.8 or greater, 2.0 or greater, 2.2 or greater, 2.4 or greater, 2.6 or greater, 2.8 or greater, 3.0 or greater, 3.2 or greater, 3.4 or greater, 3.6 or greater, 3.8 or greater, 4.0 or greater, 4.2 or greater, 4.4 or greater, 4.6 or greater, 4.8 or greater, and at the same time, 5.0 or less, 4.8 or less, 4.6 or less, 4.4 or less, 4.2 or less, 4.0 or less, 3.8 or less, 3.6 or less, 3.4 or less, 3.2 or less, 3.0 or less, 2.8 or less, 2.6 or less, 2.4 or less, 2.2 or less, 2.0 or less, 1.8 or less, 1.6 or less, 1.4 or less, 1.2 or less. The logP value is determined by using the Estimation Programs Interface (EPI) Suite (trademark), (KOWWIN version 1.68) available at / / www.epa.gov / tsca-screening-tools / epi-suitetm-estimation-program-interface.

[0016] Exemplary monomers having a logP for use in polymers include diisobutylene (logP of 4.08), butyl methacrylate (logP of 2.75), butyl acrylate (logP of 2.20), methyl methacrylate (logP of 1.28), ethyl acrylate (logP of 1.22), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (logP of 4.09), styrene (logP of 2.89), maleic anhydride (logP of 1.62), docosyl methacrylate (logP of 11.59), and combinations thereof.

[0017] As described above, the polymer may contain 20 wt% to 100 wt% of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a logP of 2.0 to 6.0. For example, the polymer may contain, derived from monomers having a logP of 2.0 to 6.0, 20 wt% or more, 25 wt% or more, 30 wt% or more, 35 wt% or more, 40 wt% or more, 45 wt% or more, 50 wt% or more, 55 wt% or more, 60 wt% or more, 65 wt% or more, 70 wt% or more, 75 wt% or more, 80 wt% or more, 85 wt% or more, 90 wt% or more, 95 wt% or more, and at the same time, 100 wt% or less, 95 wt% or less, 90 wt% or less, 85 wt% or less, 80 wt% or less, 75 wt% or less, 70 wt% or less, 65 wt% or less, 60 wt% or less, 55 wt% or less, 50 wt% or less, 45 wt% or less, 40 wt% or less, 35 wt% or less, 30 wt% or less, 25 wt% or less of monomer structural units.

[0018] The polymer may contain 90 wt% of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a logP of 1.0 or more. For example, the polymer may contain, of monomers having a logP of 1.0 or more, 91 wt% or more, 92 wt% or more, 93 wt% or more, 94 wt% or more, 95 wt% or more, 96 wt% or more, 97 wt% or more, 98 wt% or more, 99 wt% or more, and at the same time, 100 wt% or less, 99 wt% or less, 98 wt% or less, 97 wt% or less, 96 wt% or less, 95 wt% or less, 94 wt% or less, 93 wt% or less, 92 wt% or less, 91 wt% or less.

[0019] The polymer may include structural units from one or more of itaconic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, acryloxypropionic acid, citraconic acid, methyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure define that the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 Daltons to 30,000 Daltons. For example, the polymer may have a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 Daltons or more, or 11,000 Daltons or more, or 12,000 Daltons or more, or 13,000 Daltons or more, or 14,000 Daltons or more, or 15,000 Daltons or more, or 16,000 Daltons or more, or 17,000 Daltons or more, or 18,000 Daltons or more, or 19,000 Daltons or more, or 20,000 Daltons or more, or 21,000 Daltons or more, or 22,000 Daltons or more, or 23,000 Daltons or more, or 24,000 Daltons or more, or 25,000 Daltons or more, or 26,000 Daltons or more, or 27,000 Daltons or more, or 28,000 Daltons or more, or 29,000 Daltons or more. On the other hand, at the same time, it may have a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 Daltons or less, or 29,000 Daltons or less, or 28,000 Daltons or less, or 27,000 Daltons or less, or 26,000 Daltons or less, or 25,000 Daltons or less, or 24,000 Daltons or less, or 23,000 Daltons or less, or 22,000 Daltons or less, or 21,000 Daltons or less, or 20,000 Daltons or less, or 19,000 Daltons or less, or 18,000 Daltons or less, or 17,000 Daltons or less, or 16,000 Daltons or less, or 15,000 Daltons or less, or 14,000 Daltons or less, or 13,000 Daltons or less, or 12,000 Daltons or less, or 11,000 Daltons or less. The weight average molecular weight of the polymer is determined using gel permeation chromatography.

[0021] The polymer can be prepared using known apparatuses, reaction components, and reaction conditions. For example, the polymer can be prepared by known polymerization, such as solution polymerization. The solution polymerization of the monomers (i.e., the monomers described herein) can be carried out, for example, in a non-aqueous solvent. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, toluene, xylene, propylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, and combinations thereof. The solution polymerization can include a solvent-soluble initiator. Examples of initiators include, but are not limited to, t-butyl peroctoate, t-butyl hydroperoxide, AIBN, 2,2-azobis(2,4-dimethyl-pentanenitrile), t-butyl peroxybenzoate, and combinations thereof. The initiator can be used, for example, in an amount of 0.01 wt% to 1.00 wt% based on the total weight of the monomers utilized in the solution polymerization. A chain transfer agent may be utilized in the solution polymerization. Examples of chain transfer agents include, but are not limited to, 2-mercaptoethanol, 3-methyl mercaptopropionic acid, n-dodecyl mercaptan, t-dodecyl mercaptan, and combinations thereof. The initiator can be used, for example, in an amount of 0.01 wt% to 5.00 wt% based on the total weight of the monomers utilized in the solution polymerization. The use of a mercaptan modifier can reduce the molecular weight of the polymer. Other known components may be utilized in the solution polymerization. Different amounts of these other known components can be utilized for various applications.

[0022] The polymer can be prepared by known polymerization, such as emulsion polymerization. An emulsifier may be utilized in the emulsion polymerization. Examples of emulsifiers include sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and ethoxylated sulfosuccinic acid [C 10Anionic surfactants such as sodium alcohol semi-ester and / or combinations thereof can be mentioned, but are not limited thereto. The surfactant can be used, for example, in an amount of 0.5% by weight to 6.0% by weight based on the total weight of the monomers used in emulsion polymerization. For emulsion polymerization, an initiator such as a water-soluble initiator may be used. Examples of initiators include, but are not limited to, alkali metal persulfates, ammonium persulfate, and combinations thereof. The initiator can be used in an amount of 0.01% by weight to 1.00% by weight based on the total weight of the monomers used in emulsion polymerization. For emulsion polymerization, a chain transfer mercaptan may be used. Examples of chain transfer mercaptans include, but are not limited to, 2-mercaptopropionic acid, 3-methylmercaptopropionic acid, alkyl mercaptans having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof. The chain transfer mercaptan can be used in an amount of 0.01% by weight to 5.00% by weight based on the total weight of the monomers used in emulsion polymerization. The use of a mercaptan modifier can reduce the molecular weight of the polymer. Other known components may be used in emulsion polymerization. Different amounts of these other known components can be used for various applications.

[0023] The polymer may be commercially available under various trade names.

[0024] As described above, the monomer structural units of the polymers described in this specification may undergo one or more reactions, such as hydrolysis reactions, following the polymerization reaction. The hydrolysis reaction can include, for example, hydrolysis of an ester to an acid or ring opening of an anhydride to an acid.

[0025] The pest control composition disclosed herein includes Bacillus thuringiensis. As defined herein, "Bacillus thuringiensis" is spores and / or crystallized proteins of the species Bacillus thuringiensis, and includes all Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies that exhibit insecticidal properties. Examples of such subspecies include kurstaki, israelensis, and aizawa. Bacillus thuringiensis can be added to the pest control composition as part of a solid or liquid formulation. The presence and subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis are determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. A commercially available liquid formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis is THURICIDE™ insecticide marketed by CERTIS USA (Columbia, Maryland).

[0026] The pest control composition disclosed herein can include water. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the pest control composition is a solution, i.e., the polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis are water-soluble. Advantageously, the pest control composition disclosed herein can overcome many problems, for example, utilize fewer components such as emulsions and / or dispersions, and / or surfactants used with redispersible polymers. Different amounts of water can be utilized for various applications.

[0027] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the pest control composition disclosed herein can include additives. Examples of additives include, among others, viscosity modifiers, pH adjusters, herbicides, fungicides, and combinations thereof. Different amounts of additives can be utilized for various applications.

[0028] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification may contain 0.010% to 5.000% by weight of humic acid based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. All individual values and sub-ranges from 0.010% to 5.000% by weight are included. For example, the pest control composition may contain humic acid in an amount ranging from a lower limit of 0.010% by weight, 0.050% by weight, 0.100% by weight, or 0.150% by weight to an upper limit of 5.000% by weight, 4.000% by weight, 3.500% by weight, or 3.000% by weight based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0029] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification may contain 0.10% to 20.00% by weight of polymer based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. All individual values and sub-ranges from 0.10% to 20.00% by weight are included. For example, the pest control composition may contain polymer in an amount ranging from a lower limit of 0.10% by weight, 0.15% by weight, 0.20% by weight, 0.25% by weight, or 0.30% by weight to an upper limit of 20.00% by weight, 15.00% by weight, 10.00% by weight, 9.00% by weight, or 8.00% by weight based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0030] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification may contain 0.01% to 20.00% by weight of Bacillus thuringiensis based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. All individual values and sub-ranges from 0.01% to 20.00% by weight are included. For example, the pest control composition may contain Bacillus thuringiensis in an amount ranging from a lower limit of 0.01% by weight, 0.02% by weight, 0.03% by weight, 0.04% by weight, or 0.05% by weight to an upper limit of 20.00% by weight, 15.00% by weight, 10.00% by weight, 7.50% by weight, 5.00% by weight, 4.75% by weight, or 4.50% by weight based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0031] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can contain 55.00% to 99.79% by weight of water based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water. All individual values and sub-ranges from 55.00% to 99.79% by weight are included. For example, the pest control composition can contain water in an amount ranging from a lower limit of 55.00% by weight, 60.00% by weight, 70.00% by weight, or 80.00% by weight to an upper limit of 99.79% by weight, 99.00% by weight, 98.00% by weight, or 95.00% by weight based on the total weight of the combination of humic acid, polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis, and water.

[0032] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can be formed using known devices and processes. The components of the pest control composition can be combined, for example, mixed, to form the pest control composition. For example, the components of the pest control composition can be added to a container and stirred therein. The components of the pest control composition can be combined in any order.

[0033] The pest control composition disclosed in this specification can be applied to plants, for example, to the surface of plants, to control pests. The pest control composition can be applied to plants using known devices and methods. For example, the pest control composition can be sprayed, scattered, and / or poured onto plants, among other applications. For various applications, various amounts of the pest control composition can be applied to plants.

Examples

[0034] In the examples, for example, various terms and names related to materials are used, including the following. THURICIDE (trademark) (liquid formulation, Bacillus thuringiensis, manufactured by Certis), Fumic Acid-1 (fumic acid, solid, pH 9.3, measured in a 2.5 wt% Fumic Acid-1 solution having a phenolic group concentration of 0.375 mmol per gram of fumic acid, obtained from ORGANOCAT, Louisville, Kentucky under the trade name ACTIVEHUME (trademark)), Fumic Acid-2 (solid fumic acid obtained from SIGMA-ALDRICH), polyethylene oxide-functionalized lignin. The phenolic group concentration of Fumic Acid-1 was determined by preparing a fumic acid solution (0.1 wt% fumic acid and water). An aliquot of the fumic acid solution was combined with the assay solution. The assay solution contained a 4 wt% copper(II) sulfate solution (excess Cu 2+ salt, 7758-99-8, purchased from Thermo Fisher, product number 23224), and bicinchoninic acid (CAS 1245-13-2, obtained from Millipore Sigma, product number B9643). The phenolic group reduced Cu 2+ to Cu+ and formed a purple complex with bicinchoninic acid. The concentration of the formed complex was determined colorimetrically by measuring the absorbance with a Varian Cary (trademark) 50 UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 562 nm. From the concentration of Cu+-BCA, the concentration of phenolic groups in Fumic Acid-1 was determined using hydroquinone as a calibration standard. It is a linear calibration curve with hydroquinone plotted on the y-axis and nanomoles of phenolic groups on the x-axis, y = 0.0104x, and R-squared = 0.9989. The phenolic group concentration was determined as nanomoles of phenol in the aliquot and converted to millimoles per gram of fumic acid using the dilution factor and the fumic acid mass.

[0035] Polymer 1 was formed as follows. Solution polymerization was utilized to form a copolymer derived from diisobutylene and maleic anhydride. The weight percentage of Polymer 1 formed from the monomer structural units relative to diisobutylene was 45 wt% to 55 wt%, and the remainder was maleic anhydride. The polymer was hydrolyzed with aqueous ammonia to obtain Polymer 1. Polymer 1 had a weight average molecular weight of approximately 16,500 daltons.

[0036] The pest control composition of Example 1 was formed as follows. Polymer 1 was diluted with deionized water to obtain a solution (5 wt% Polymer 1 in water). The solution (1 mL), THURICIDE (trademark) (7.38 wt% in water, 9.38 mL), and humic acid-1 (2.5 wt% in water, 0.26 mL) were added to a container and mixed with a magnetic stir bar to obtain Example 1. The phenolic group concentration of the humic acid in Example 1 was 0.423077 millimoles per gram of humic acid 1.

[0037] The pest control composition of Example 2 was formed in the same manner as Example 1, with the modification that humic acid-2 (0.26 mL) was used instead of humic acid-1. The phenolic group concentration of the humic acid in Example 2 was 0.3942 millimoles per gram of humic acid 1.

[0038] Comparative Example A was formed in the same manner as Example 1, with the modification that Polymer 1 was not used.

[0039] Comparative Example B was formed in the same manner as Example 1, with the modifications that humic acid-2 (0.26 mL) was used instead of humic acid-1 and Polymer 1 was not used.

[0040] Comparative Example C was formed in the same manner as Example 1, with the modifications that polyethylene oxide-functionalized lignin was used instead of humic acid-1 and Polymer 1 was not used.

[0041] Comparative Example D was formed in the same manner as Example 1, with the modification that polyethylene oxide-functionalized lignin was used instead of humic acid-1.

[0042] The Bacillus thuringiensis activities of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples A - D before and after exposure to light were determined as follows.

[0043] Using an automatic pipettor, 30 μL droplets of each of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples A - D were placed on a plastic Petri dish. The droplets were dried for about 1 hour.

[0044] For the samples exposed to light, the dried droplets were exposed to light of 35 milliwatts / cm 2 for 2 hours.

[0045] The samples not exposed to light and the samples exposed to light were extracted and plated. For extraction, each sample was placed in a 1 wt% solution of TWEEN® 20 solution and incubated for about 12 hours. For plating, the samples were diluted to the desired starting concentration using a 0.1 wt% solution of TWEEN® 20, then serially diluted at appropriate concentrations and plated uniformly with 10 μL droplets. The plates were then held in an incubator at 30 °C for about 12 hours. Thereafter, the colony numbers were counted taking into account the dilution factor and expressed as log colony forming units / mL. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

[0046]

Table 1

[0047] The data in Table 1 show that Example 1 has improved, i.e., 3.5 times greater, pest control agent activity after light exposure as compared to Comparative Example A.

[0048]

Table 2

[0049] The data in Table 2 show that Example 2 has improved, i.e., 5.2 times greater, pest control agent activity after light exposure as compared to Comparative Example B.

[0050]

Table 3

[0051] The data in Table 3 show that Comparative Example D has a pest control agent activity that decreased after light exposure, i.e., is one-tenth, compared to Comparative Example C. This decreased pest control agent activity after light exposure further demonstrates the surprising synergistic effect of the components of the pest control composition disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A pest control composition comprising: humic acid; a polymer containing 20% to 100% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 30,000 daltons and a logP of 2.0 to 6.0; Bacillus thuringiensis; water; The pest control composition.

2. The pest control composition according to claim 1, wherein the humic acid is 0.010% to 5.000% by weight of the composition based on the total weight of the combination of the humic acid, the polymer, the Bacillus thuringiensis, and the water.

3. The pest control composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer is 0.10% to 20.00% by weight of the composition based on the total weight of the combination of the humic acid, the polymer, the Bacillus thuringiensis, and the water.

4. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polymer is a copolymer of diisobutylene and maleic anhydride.

5. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the humic acid has a phenol group concentration of 0.35 mmol per gram of humic acid to 0.45 mmol per gram of humic acid.

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