Pest control methods

Abstract

To provide a method for effectively controlling a pest in a space where the pest may enter for overwintering.SOLUTION: Holding means 2 holding a pest control agent having a transpiration property is prepared in a space R in which the room temperature rises from below the pest hibernation start temperature to above the pest activity start temperature. After that, the amount of the pest control agent that transpires from the holding means 2 into the space R is increased by raising the room temperature. Pests that have started to become active when the room temperature reaches or exceeds the activity start temperature are controlled with the pest control agent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling pests in a space using a pest control agent having transpiration properties. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a pest control method is known in which a pest control agent having a vapor pressure of 2×10 at 30° C. is used to control pests in a space. -4 ~1×10 -2 The method describes a method of controlling pests within a space by releasing about 0.01 to 40 mg of a pest control agent at a concentration of mmHg per 8 tatami mats, causing the pest control agent to adhere to the inner surfaces of floors and walls, and then allowing the pest control agent to re-evaporate within the space.

[0003] On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of preventing the intrusion of pests by applying a pest control agent selected from low-volatility pyrethroid compounds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-35569 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-155774 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When using a pest control agent that evaporates at room temperature as in Patent Document 1, there is an advantage that it can be effective by evaporating throughout the entire space, but there is a disadvantage that the agent may continue to be dispersed and wasted even when there are no pests in the space, and as a result, the duration of the effect is relatively short. Therefore, the method in Patent Document 1 is used when pests are found in the space or when it is considered that there is a high possibility that pests are present in the space.

[0006] On the other hand, when a low-volatility pest control agent with low transpiration is used as in Patent Document 2, while there is an advantage in that the effectiveness lasts for a relatively long time, there is a disadvantage in that since the pest control agent does not transpire into the space, it cannot be effective throughout the entire space, and is only effective in the area where it is applied.

[0007] Incidentally, some types of pests may enter spaces to hibernate during the winter (when temperatures are low). In this regard, it may be possible to prevent pests from entering spaces using an intrusion prevention method such as that described in Patent Document 2, but in reality, it is often impossible to completely prevent pests from entering.

[0008] Even if pests are allowed to invade a space, if the intrusion is noticed immediately, there is a possibility that they can be exterminated by treating the space with the method described in Patent Document 1. However, if the intrusion is noticed too late, the pests will enter gaps to hibernate, making them difficult to find, and there is a high possibility that the intrusion will go unnoticed. In this case, there is no opportunity to treat the space with the method described in Patent Document 1 in the first place.

[0009] Then, when the warm season arrives, pests wake up from hibernation and begin to become active all at once. However, this is not immediately noticed, and various types of pest damage may occur within the space without you realizing it.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for effectively controlling pests in a space into which the pests may enter to overwinter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present disclosure can be based on a pest control method for controlling pests in a space. A holding means for holding a pest control agent having transpiration properties is prepared in a space where the room temperature rises from a hibernation start temperature or lower at which the pests to be controlled start hibernation to an activity start temperature or higher at which the hibernating pests start to become active, when the room temperature is lower than the hibernation start temperature. Thereafter, the amount of the pest control agent transpire from the holding means into the space is increased by the rise in room temperature, and pests that start to become active when the room temperature reaches or exceeds the activity start temperature are controlled.

[0012] That is, when the room temperature of the space is low and is below the hibernation start temperature, the pests are, for example, deep inside gaps and are less active, so even if a pest control agent is sprayed in the space, the effect is low. In this respect, according to the present disclosure, when the room temperature of the space rises and the pests start to be active and crawl out of gaps, the amount of transpired pest control agent from the holding means increases, and the concentration of the pest control agent in the air in the space increases. In other words, the timing at which the hibernating pests start to be active can be matched with the timing at which the transpired amount of the pest control agent is increased. This makes it possible to effectively control the pests when they start to be active in the space. In addition, when the room temperature of the space is low, the amount of transpired pest control agent from the holding means is smaller than when the room temperature is high, so that it is possible to reduce the wasteful transpired pest control agent in a state where the control effect is low.

[0013] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vapor pressure at 30° C. is 1×10 -5 ~1×10 -3 The pest control agent having a pressure of mmHg can be held by the holding means.

[0014] According to this configuration, a pest control agent having a vapor pressure within the above range hardly transpires below the hibernation onset temperature, but transpires appropriately when the temperature reaches or near the activity onset temperature, thereby further enhancing the above-mentioned control effect.

[0015] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, the pest control agent is at least one of transfluthrin and metofluthrin.

[0016] In other words, by retaining at least one of transfluthrin and metofluthrin in the retaining means, the amount of evaporation below the hibernation onset temperature is extremely small, preventing unnecessary consumption of the drug, while at the same time, when the temperature reaches or is close to the activity onset temperature, a sufficient amount is evaporated to obtain high control efficacy.

[0017] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the hibernation onset temperature may be 15°C and the activity onset temperature may be 20°C.

[0018] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the space may be a non-residential space where no human resides.

[0019] That is, since spaces inhabited by people are often kept at a certain temperature or higher by heating devices or the like even during the winter, pests rarely hibernate in the spaces. However, in spaces not inhabited by people, such as warehouses, the room temperature drops below the hibernation start temperature during the winter, causing pests to hibernate, and then when spring comes, the room temperature rises and the pests start to become active, which can cause pest damage to luggage in the warehouse. The method of the present disclosure is particularly suitable because it can be used in such spaces not inhabited by people, and thus can effectively control pests that have woken up from hibernation and started to become active.

[0020] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, when the temperature is below the hibernation onset temperature, the pest control agent is attached to the floor or the inner surface of the wall of the space, with the floor or wall serving as the retention means, and as the room temperature rises, the amount of the pest control agent evaporating from the inner surface of the floor or wall is increased.

[0021] According to this configuration, since the inner surfaces of the floor or wall that divides the space can be used as the holding means, there is no need to provide a dedicated holding means in carrying out this pest control method, and this pest control method can be carried out easily. Also, since the inner surfaces of the floor or wall have a large area, the pest control agent can be efficiently evaporated from a large surface area.

[0022] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the pest control agent is contained in an aerosol container, and the pest control agent is adhered to the floor or the inner surface of the wall by spraying the pest control agent from the aerosol container toward the floor or the inner surface of the wall of the space.

[0023] With this configuration, the pest control agent can be easily applied over a wide area of ​​the inner surface of the floor or wall.

[0024] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, when the room temperature in the space and the temperature outside the space are equal to or lower than the hibernation initiation temperature at which the pests to be controlled start hibernation, an impregnated body impregnated with the pest control agent is placed so that it is exposed to outside air taken in through an outside air intake hole provided in a wall partitioning the space. Thereafter, the amount of the pest control agent transpire from the impregnated body into the space is increased by taking in outside air through the outside air intake hole and increasing the temperature outside the space, and the room temperature becomes equal to or higher than the activity initiation temperature of the hibernating pests, thereby controlling the pests that start to become active.

[0025] That is, the temperature of the outside air taken in through the outside air intake hole may vary, for example, with the change of seasons, and may go from below the hibernation start temperature to above the activity start temperature. When the temperature of the outside air taken in through the outside air intake hole increases, the amount of the pest control agent evaporating from the impregnated body increases compared to when the temperature is low. Also, when the temperature of the outside air becomes equal to or higher than the activity start temperature, the room temperature in the space also becomes equal to or higher than the activity start temperature, so that the activity of the pests increases. In other words, the timing at which the hibernating pests start to become active can be matched with the timing at which the amount of evaporation of the pest control agent is increased, so that when the hibernating pests in the space start to become active, the pests can be effectively controlled. Effect of the Invention

[0026] As described above, the amount of pest control agent that evaporates into the space can be increased as the room temperature rises, so that pests can be effectively controlled in spaces where pests may enter to overwinter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a warehouse in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of evaporation of a pest control agent and room temperature. [Diagram 3] 1 is a graph showing the mortality rate of pests when metofluthrin is used. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing the mortality rate of pests when transfluthrin is used. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a warehouse in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a warehouse in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a house in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a loading platform of a truck in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0029] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a warehouse 1 in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. In embodiment 1, a case in which pests in a space R of the warehouse 1 are controlled by the pest control method will be described. The warehouse 1 is composed of, for example, a floor 2, a side wall 3, and a roof 4. The floor 2 may be made of, for example, concrete, wood, or steel plate, and the material does not matter. The side wall 3 is disposed so as to surround the floor 2 and extends upward. The material of the side wall 3 does not matter either. The roof 4 is installed on the upper part of the side wall 3. The roof 4 may be a ceiling. The floor 2, the side wall 3, and the roof 4 divide the space R. The space R according to embodiment 1 is a non-residential space where no one lives, and no heating appliances are installed.

[0030] The size, volume, shape, etc. of the warehouse 1 can be set arbitrarily. The warehouse 1 may be fixed to the ground, or may be movable and installed on, for example, a railroad car, an automobile, an airplane, a ship, etc. A movable warehouse 1 may be called, for example, a loading platform, a cargo room, a loading room, etc. In any case, it has a space R.

[0031] The room temperature (air temperature in space R) in the warehouse 1 fluctuates due to, for example, changes in the outside air temperature and the intensity of solar radiation. The outside air temperature and solar radiation may change depending on the season. For example, the room temperature in space R may be below 15°C during winter, and may be above 20°C during spring and autumn. If the warehouse 1 is fixed, the room temperature in space R may rise from below 15°C to above 20°C due to seasonal changes. Note that the room temperature in space R of the warehouse 1 may fluctuate during a day due to, for example, daily fluctuations in the outside air temperature, but it is unlikely that hibernating pests will start to become active due to such short-term temperature fluctuations alone. Therefore, it may be appropriate to consider the "room temperature" in the present invention as the average room temperature during a certain period. For example, the average room temperature in space R of the warehouse 1 during a day may be considered as the "room temperature".

[0032] In addition, the outside temperature and solar radiation may vary depending on the region, and the further away from the equator, i.e., the closer to the North Pole or South Pole, the lower the outside temperature and the weaker the solar radiation. Therefore, even if the seasons do not change, if warehouse 1 is mobile, the room temperature in space R may rise from below 15°C to above 20°C by moving it from a high latitude region to a low latitude region.

[0033] The space R of the warehouse 1 stores items 5. The items 5 are tangible objects other than real estate, and are not particularly limited, but include, for example, daily necessities, medicines, electrical appliances, books, food, and beverages. These are usually stored in the warehouse 1 in a packaged state in a cardboard box or the like. However, if the items 5 are, for example, furniture, building materials, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, etc., they may be stored in the warehouse 1 as they are (exposed) without any special packaging. It is not necessary that the space R stores the items 5.

[0034] The warehouse 1 has openings such as entrances and exits for people to enter and exit, and ventilation holes (not shown), through which pests outside the warehouse 1 can invade the space R. Furthermore, when an item 5 is brought into the warehouse, pests attached to the item 5 can be brought into the space R. This can occur, for example, when the item 5 is furniture or the like and pests get into gaps or internal cavities of the furniture while the furniture is temporarily stored outside in an unpackaged (exposed) state.

[0035] The pest control method is a method for controlling pests that have been brought into or invaded the space R as described above. Control means preventing damage caused by pests and exterminating pests to prevent damage in advance, and includes killing the pests. Here, damage caused by pests includes damage to the item 5, such as the item 5 being soiled or bitten by the pest. It also includes damage to people, such as a person who enters the space R being bitten by the pest or a person who sees the pests active in the space R feeling uncomfortable. It also includes a case where a pest that has started to be active in the space R advances outside the warehouse 1 and causes infectious diseases or agricultural damage to the surrounding area. Therefore, damage caused by pests does not necessarily occur only in the space R. Note that if it is necessary to prevent only pest damage within the space R, it is not necessary to kill the pests, and for example, the pests may be exterminated by driving them out of the space R. However, since pest insects are less active during hibernation, they do not cause substantial damage during that period. In this regard, the present invention controls pest insects when they wake up from hibernation and start to become active, thereby making it possible to effectively prevent pest damage.

[0036] Pests to be controlled by the pest control method are hibernating pests, such as Culex pipiens, flies, moths such as Lymantria dispar and Pyralidae, and stink bugs such as Brown stink bug, German winged green bug, and Round stink bug. Most of these pests start hibernation when the temperature drops below 15°C, so 15°C is the hibernation start temperature. The hibernation start temperature may be changed depending on the pest to be controlled, and can be set, for example, in the range of 12°C to 15°C. Most hibernating pests start to become active at temperatures above 20°C, and 20°C is the activity start temperature. The activity start temperature may be changed depending on the pest to be controlled, and can be set, for example, in the range of 20°C to 25°C. In other words, the room temperature in space R of warehouse 1 may rise from below the hibernation onset temperature of pests to above the activity onset temperature at which hibernating pests start to become active due to seasonal changes or long-distance migration. Conversely, it may also fall from above the activity onset temperature to below the hibernation onset temperature.

[0037] In the pest control method, a pest control agent having transpiration properties is used. Here, "having transpiration properties" means that the pest control agent is a solid or liquid at normal temperature and pressure, and has a vapor pressure that allows it to transpire gradually. -5 ~1×10 -3 A pest control agent having a viscosity of mmHg is suitable for this control method. As the pest control agent, a known insecticide can be used, and a fragrance having a repellent effect can also be used. Specific examples of the pest control agent include pyrethroid compounds such as transfluthrin, metofluthrin, empentrin, and profluthrin, and among these, transfluthrin or metofluthrin is preferred. Only one of the pest control agents may be used, or two or more of them may be mixed or used in combination.

[0038] The pest control method includes a preparation step and a chemical vaporization step as a plurality of steps. In the preparation step, a holding means for holding a pest control agent is prepared in the space R of the warehouse 1 when the room temperature in the space R is equal to or lower than the hibernation start temperature. Examples of the holding means include the inner surface of the floor 2 or the side wall 3. Examples of a method for holding the pest control agent in the holding means include, but are not limited to, a method for attaching a chemical solution containing a pest control agent to the inner surface of the floor 2 or the side wall 3 by spraying using an aerosol container or a pump-type sprayer, applying using a brush or roller, or scattering using a shower container.

[0039] As an example, a case where an aerosol container 6 is used will be described. In this aerosol container 6, a pesticide, a solvent for dissolving the pesticide, and a propellant for spraying the pesticide and the solvent are stored. Examples of the propellant include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and dimethyl ether (DME), and any one of these may be used alone or a mixture of any two or more of them. The propellant may contain nitrogen gas or carbon dioxide gas. In addition, a spreading agent, a volatilization regulator, a synergist, and the like may be blended in the aerosol container 6 as necessary, thereby adjusting the efficacy, duration, and the like of the pesticide. The aerosol container 6 containing the pesticide may also be called an aerosol product.

[0040] The aerosol container 6 is provided with, for example, a spray nozzle and a spray button (not shown). The user holds the aerosol container 6 in his / her hand and presses the spray button to spray the pest control agent from the spray nozzle. In the preparation step, when the temperature is equal to or lower than the hibernation start temperature, the pest control agent can be sprayed from the aerosol container 6 toward the inner surface of the floor 2 or the side wall 3 of the space R, thereby attaching the pest control agent to the inner surface of the floor 2 or the side wall 3. In this case, the inner surface of the floor 2 or the side wall 3 to which the pest control agent is attached becomes the holding means. The pest control agent may be attached to both the inner surfaces of the floor 2 and the side wall 3, or may be attached only to the floor 2, or may be attached only to the inner surface of the side wall 3. The pest control agent may be attached to the entire surface of the floor 2, or may be attached only to a part of the floor 2. Similarly, the pest control agent may be attached to the entire surface of the inner surface of the side wall 3, or may be attached only to a part of the inner surface of the side wall 3. The pest control agent may also be attached to the ceiling of the roof 4. In this case, the ceiling serves as the retaining means.

[0041] The holding means prepared in the preparation step may be a member that is not fixed to the space R, such as a cloth material or a plate material. In this case, the cloth material or plate material holding the pest control agent can be placed at any location within the space R. In this case, the work of attaching the pest control agent to the holding means (cloth material, plate material, etc.) does not necessarily have to be performed inside the space R, and the pest control agent may be attached to the holding means outside the space R, and then the holding means may be brought into the warehouse R. In this way, the holding means holding the pest control agent can be prepared by bringing the holding means into the warehouse R from outside.

[0042] The preparation step may be performed before the item 5 is brought into the warehouse 1, after the item 5 is brought into the warehouse 1, or in parallel with the bringing in of the item 5. However, when the pest control agent is attached to the holding means by spraying, applying, scattering, or the like in the warehouse 1, if an item 5 is present nearby, the pest control agent may adhere to the item 5 and cause stains or dirt. From the viewpoint of avoiding this, it is preferable to perform the preparation step before the item 5 is brought into the warehouse 1.

[0043] From the viewpoint of efficiently evaporating the pest control agent into the space R in the chemical evaporation process described later, it is preferable that the holding means for attaching the pest control agent in the preparation process is exposed to the space R in the chemical evaporation process. For example, when an item 5 is placed on the floor 2 after the pest control agent is attached to the floor 2, the part of the floor 2 that the item 5 contacts is not exposed to the space R, so the pest control agent attached to that part cannot be efficiently evaporated. Therefore, when the preparation process is performed before the item 5 is brought into the warehouse 1, it is preferable not to attach the pest control agent to the part of the floor 2 or the side wall 3 that the item 5 contacts, and it is preferable to attach the pest control agent only to the part that does not contact. It is preferable that there is a gap of several centimeters between the item 5 and the floor 2 or the side wall 3 that holds the pest control agent, so that there is no problem with the evaporation of the pest control agent.

[0044] After the preparation step, a chemical transpiration step is carried out. That is, since the room temperature in the space R when the pest control agent is held in the holding means in the preparation step is a low temperature below the hibernation onset temperature, the pest control agent held in the holding means hardly transpires. Thereafter, the room temperature in the space R gradually rises due to seasonal changes and the movement of the warehouse 1. The rise in the room temperature in the space R raises the temperature of the pest control agent held in the holding means, thereby increasing the amount of the pest control agent transpire into the space R from the holding means.

[0045] The effects of the pest control method described above will be explained as follows.

[0046] That is, when the room temperature in the space R is low, below the hibernation starting temperature, the pests hibernate, for example, by hiding in gaps between the items 5 or in the depths of grooves and cracks in the side wall 3. Since it is difficult to find the pests in this state, it is not realistic to exterminate them one by one. Furthermore, even if the space R is treated with a pest control agent that evaporates at this room temperature, the pests cannot be effectively controlled because they are deep in the gaps and their activity has decreased, and the evaporated pest control agent will be wasted.

[0047] In this regard, according to this embodiment, when the room temperature of space R is low, the amount of pest control agent that evaporates from the holding means is less than when the room temperature is high, so that when the control effect is low (when pests are hibernating), the amount of pest control agent that evaporates into space R is small, thereby preventing the pest control agent from being wasted.

[0048] Then, when the room temperature in space R rises to above the activity start temperature, the hibernating pests start to become active and crawl out from the depths of gaps, etc. Also, when the room temperature in space R rises, the amount of transpired pest control agent from the holding means increases, and the concentration of the pest control agent in the air in space R increases. In other words, the timing at which the hibernating pests start to become active can be synchronized with the timing at which the amount of transpired pest control agent is increased. As a result, when the hibernating pests in space R crawl out into space R, the concentration of the pest control agent in the air in space R can be increased, and the pests can be effectively controlled.

[0049] Next, the relationship between the amount of evaporation of the pesticide and the temperature will be explained based on the graph shown in FIG. 2. This graph shows how the amount of evaporation of the pesticides Metofluthrin and Transfluthrin changes with temperature. The horizontal axis of the graph is room temperature (°C), which is almost the same as the temperature of Metofluthrin and Transfluthrin. The vertical axis of the graph is the ratio of the amount of evaporation, which is the ratio when the room temperature is 25°C is set to 1. For example, if the ratio of the amount of evaporation is "2", it means that twice the amount of evaporation at the room temperature of 25°C is evaporated. The amount of evaporation was measured at room temperatures of 35°C, 30°C, 27°C, 25°C, and 22°C. The measurement method was to impregnate a nonwoven fabric with a predetermined amount of the pesticide and blow air with a fan, and suck in the air that passed through the nonwoven fabric downstream of the nonwoven fabric, collect the pesticide contained in the air with silica gel, and measure the amount of the collected pesticide.

[0050] As can be seen from Figure 2, the transpiration rate of both Metofluthrin and Transfluthrin increases as the room temperature increases, and conversely, decreases as the room temperature decreases. The temperature at which the transpiration rate of Metofluthrin becomes 0 is 18.8°C, calculated by linear approximation, which is below the activity onset temperature mentioned above. The temperature at which the transpiration rate of Transfluthrin becomes 0 is 13.6°C, calculated by linear approximation, which is below the hibernation onset temperature mentioned above, but below the hibernation onset temperature, almost no transfluthrin transpires.

[0051] As described above, metofluthrin and transfluthrin have moderate transpiration at temperatures above the temperature at which pests are active, and hardly transpire below temperatures at which pests are not active, particularly below the temperature at which hibernation begins, so that they are suitable as pest control agents for use in the pest control method. Note that the lower the temperature, the lower the transpiration, and the higher the temperature, the higher the transpiration, which is a general property of substances with transpiration, so that any pest control agent having a vapor pressure similar to that of metofluthrin or transfluthrin can be used in the pest control method of the present invention.

[0052] (Pest Control Test) Next, a test for determining the amount of pesticide required to actually control pests will be described. Male and female brown marmorated stink bugs were prepared as test insects (pests to be controlled). Stink bugs are known to be highly resistant to pesticides (especially pyrethroid-based agents), so if a control effect is demonstrated against stink bugs, a sufficiently high control effect can be expected against other pests such as mosquitoes, flies, and moths.

[0053] The test room is approximately 8 tatami mats (33 m 3) windless, temperature-controlled room. The test insects were placed in plastic cups and covered with a 16-mesh nylon net. The plastic cups containing the test insects were placed on the four corners of the floor of the test room. A fan-type transpiration device for transpiration of the pest control agent (Metofluthrin) was installed in the center of the floor of the test room. The room temperature during the test was 25°C, and the test room was kept sealed without ventilation. During the test, the test insects were fed soybeans and water, and the condition of the test insects was observed for one week after the start of the test. The amount of transpiration of Metofluthrin was 2.5 mg per hour (Test Example 1) and 5.0 mg per hour (Test Example 2).

[0054] As shown in Figure 3, after 4 days from the start of the test, the mortality rate exceeded 50% in both Test Examples 1 and 2, demonstrating that the control effect of Metofluthrin is sufficiently high. In particular, it can be seen that after 7 days at an evaporative rate of 5.0 mg / hr (Test Example 2), the mortality rate can be increased to 100%.

[0055] Based on the above, the minimum amount of Metofluthrin required to eliminate stink bugs 100% is: 5.0mg / hr × 168hr (7 days) / 33m 3 = 25 mg / m 3 It is estimated that. Therefore, if the volume of the space R in which the pest control method is used is known, the minimum amount of Metofluthrin required to eliminate 100% of stink bugs can be calculated. Then, by holding that amount or more of Metofluthrin in a holding means and placing it in the space R, when the room temperature of the space R reaches or exceeds the activity start temperature and the hibernating stink bugs start to become active, the stink bugs can be eliminated. Note that if the aim is not to eliminate 100% of stink bugs, for example, if it is sufficient to simply drive the stink bugs out of the space R, the amount of Metofluthrin can be reduced from the amount described above.

[0056] If another pest control agent is used instead of metofluthrin, or if multiple pest control agents are used in combination, the minimum amount of drug required to control stink bugs within space R can be calculated by conducting similar tests.

[0057] Next, a test will be described in which an aerosol container 6 containing transfluthrin as a pest control agent was used to confirm the control effect against stink bugs, using the floor of a test room as a holding means.

[0058] The test room and test insects were the same as those used when the above-mentioned evaporation device was used. Note that because transfluthrin has a vapor pressure approximately twice that of metofluthrin, it is evaporated and consumed quickly, so twice the amount of metofluthrin (50 mg / m) was used. 3 ) of transfluthrin would be enough to eradicate 100% of the stink bugs. 3 The required amount of transfluthrin (50 mg / m) predicted from the volume of 3 x33m 3 A total of 1.65 g of the insects were placed in an aerosol container 6. The entire content of the aerosol container 6 was sprayed onto the floor of the test room to adhere it to the floor. After that, the test insects were placed in a plastic cup covered with a 16-mesh nylon net and placed in the test room. The room temperature during the test was 25°C, and the ventilation conditions were set to no ventilation and six ventilations per hour.

[0059] The mortality rates of the test insects were calculated on the day the test started, 4 days after the test started, and 6 days after the test started, as shown in the graph in Figure 4. In other words, in the case of no ventilation, the mortality rate was 100% on the day the test started, and in the case of ventilation 6 times per hour, the mortality rate was 90% on the day the test started. In this way, it can be seen that by retaining the calculated required amount of pest control agent (transfluthrin in this case) in the holding means (floor surface in this case), a sufficient control effect against stink bugs active in the space can be obtained. Note that, since the effect decreases when ventilation is performed, it is preferable to increase the amount of pest control agent held in the holding means from the above amount depending on the ventilation conditions.

[0060] As mentioned above, stink bugs are pests that are resistant to pesticides, so when a pesticide is effective against stink bugs, it is also effective against mosquitoes, flies, moths, etc. For example, research by the present inventors has revealed that a pesticide that is about 1 / 170 of the pesticide required for stink bugs is effective against house mosquitoes, about 1 / 19 of the pesticide required for stink bugs is effective against flies, and about 1 / 4.5 of the pesticide required for stink bugs is effective against pyralid moths and gypsy moths. Therefore, when targeting only relatively weak pests such as mosquitoes, flies, or moths, without targeting stink bugs, the amount of pesticide can be reduced according to the above.

[0061] (Embodiment 2) 5 is a cross-sectional view of a warehouse 1 in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the pest control agent is diffused into the space R by utilizing the outside air taken in from the outside. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted, and the different parts will be explained in detail.

[0062] An outside air intake duct 11 is provided on the side wall 3 of the warehouse 1. The outside air intake duct 10 is installed so as to penetrate the side wall 3 in the thickness direction. An outside air intake hole 10a is formed in the outside air intake duct 10 to take in air outside the warehouse 1 (outside air) into the warehouse 1. The upstream end opening of the outside air intake hole 10a opens so as to face the outside of the warehouse 1, while the downstream end opening of the outside air intake hole 10a opens so as to face the inside of the warehouse 1. A fan 11 and a motor 12 for driving the fan 11 are arranged in the outside air intake duct 10. A power circuit (not shown) is connected to the motor 12, so that the motor 12 can be started and stopped at a desired timing and can rotate the motor 12 at a desired rotation speed. Although not shown, the warehouse 1 is also provided with an exhaust port, which is opened appropriately when introducing outside air so as not to hinder the introduction of outside air. The pest control agent may be impregnated into the impregnated body 13 in advance, taking into account the amount of the pest control agent that will be discharged from the exhaust port.

[0063] An impregnated body 13 impregnated with the pest control agent used in the first embodiment is disposed downstream in the outside air intake hole 10a. The impregnated body 13 may be made of a breathable material such as a nonwoven fabric, a foam material, a mesh material, etc., and may be flat or pleated. By disposing the impregnated body 13 downstream in the outside air intake hole 10a, the impregnated body 13 can be installed so that it is exposed to the outside air taken in from the outside air intake hole 10a. Either the fan 11 or the impregnated body 13 may be disposed upstream in the air flow direction, and the impregnated body 13 may be disposed upstream of the fan 11 in the air flow direction.

[0064] The impregnated body 13 can be replaced with a new one. For example, the impregnated body 13 is incorporated in a chemical cartridge, and when the amount of the pest control agent impregnated therein becomes low, the old chemical cartridge is replaced with a new chemical cartridge. The amount of the pest control agent impregnated therein can be estimated based on the operation time of the fan 11.

[0065] In the preparation process of the second embodiment, when the room temperature in the space R and the air temperature outside the space R are below the hibernation start temperature, the impregnated body 13 impregnated with the pest control agent is placed so that it is exposed to outside air taken in through the outside air intake hole 10a. Since the room temperature in the space R is below the hibernation start temperature, the pests in the space R are in a hibernation state. Furthermore, since the air temperature outside the space R is below the hibernation start temperature, the room temperature in the space R remains below the hibernation start temperature even if outside air is introduced through the outside air intake hole 10a. Furthermore, since the outside air below the hibernation start temperature hits the impregnated body 13, the pest control agent hardly transpires.

[0066] In the subsequent chemical transpiration process, outside air is introduced from the outside air intake hole 10a. When the temperature outside the space R rises due to seasonal changes or the movement of the warehouse 1, outside air at or above the activity start temperature hits the impregnated body 13. As a result, the temperature of the pest control agent impregnated in the impregnated body 13 becomes equal to or above the activity start temperature, so that the amount of the pest control agent transpire from the impregnated body 13 into the space R can be increased. In addition, by introducing outside air at or above the activity start temperature, the room temperature of the space R becomes equal to or above the activity start temperature, and the pests start to become active. Therefore, in the case of the second embodiment as well, the timing at which the hibernating pests start to become active and the timing at which the amount of transpiration of the pest control agent is increased can be matched, so that when the pests hibernating in the space R start to become active, the pests can be effectively controlled.

[0067] The introduction of outside air from the outside air intake hole 10a may be performed all the time, or may be performed only during the chemical transpiration process. When the introduction of outside air from the outside air intake hole 10a is performed all the time (i.e., when the fan 11 is always driven even during winter), the impregnated body 13 is always exposed to airflow, so there is a possibility that the pest control agent will transpire slightly from the impregnated body 13 even during winter. Even in this case, if the outside air is below the hibernation start temperature, the amount of transpired pest control agent is suppressed, so that the pest control agent can be prevented from transpiration in vain. However, in terms of further preventing the pest control agent from transpiration in vain, it is preferable to introduce outside air only during the chemical transpiration process (i.e., not to drive the fan 11 during winter). A plurality of outside air intake holes 10a and impregnated bodies 13 may be provided in one warehouse 1. The outside air intake holes 10a and impregnated bodies 13 may be provided on the ceiling. Furthermore, the holding means of the first embodiment and the impregnated body 13 of the second embodiment may be used in combination.

[0068] (Embodiment 3) 6 is a cross-sectional view of a warehouse 1 in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a heating device 20 is installed. In the following, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted, and the different parts are explained in detail.

[0069] The warehouse 1 is equipped with a heating device 20 for heating the air in the space R. The heating device 20 may be, for example, a stove, an electric heater, a heat pump air conditioner, or the like, and the type is not particularly limited. The heating device 20 may be installed outside the warehouse 1, in which case a duct may be provided to introduce the warm air sent from the heating device 20 into the space R. When the heating device 20 is turned off in winter, the room temperature in the space R becomes equal to or lower than the hibernation start temperature. At this time, a preparation process is performed to hold the pest control agent, for example, on the floor 2 or the inner surface of the side wall portion 3.

[0070] Since no one lives in the warehouse 1, the heating device 20 is usually kept off. Therefore, almost no pest control agent evaporates until the season changes to spring. However, if it is discovered that there is a high possibility that pests have entered the warehouse 1 and are hibernating, or if it becomes necessary to exterminate pests during the winter for some reason, the heating device 20 is operated to forcibly increase the temperature in the warehouse 1 to a temperature higher than the activity start temperature. This makes it possible to make the pests crawl out and increase the amount of evaporation of the pest control agent to control the pests. Therefore, in the case of the third embodiment, the timing at which the hibernating pests start to be active can be matched with the timing at which the amount of evaporation of the pest control agent is increased, so that when the pests hibernating in the space R start to be active, the pests can be effectively controlled. In addition to the heating device 20 of the third embodiment, the impregnated body 13 of the second embodiment may be installed.

[0071] (Embodiment 4) 7 is a cross-sectional view of a house 30 in which pests are controlled by a pest control method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. Embodiment 4 differs from embodiment 1 in that the present invention is applied to a house 30 in which people live. The differences from embodiment 1 will be described in detail below.

[0072] The house 30 is, for example, a villa or the like that is not occupied during the winter and is occupied only from spring to autumn. The house 30 has a floor 32, side walls 33, and a roof 34 for dividing an interior space R1. Furniture 35A, electrical appliances 35B, and the like are placed in the interior space R1 as items, and pests may get into the gaps or inside these items and hibernate, but they do not come out during the winter.

[0073] In the fourth embodiment, at the beginning of winter, the pest control agent stored in the aerosol container 6 is applied to the floor 32, the inner surface of the side wall 33, and the like. As the season changes to spring and the outdoor temperature rises, the pests start to become active when the temperature in the indoor space R1 reaches or exceeds the activity start temperature. When the pests start to become active, the amount of evaporation of the pest control agent increases, and the pests can be controlled. Therefore, when the warm season arrives and people move into the house 30, the pests have already been controlled, and damage caused by pests can be prevented.

[0074] (Embodiment 5) Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a truck bed 40 for controlling pests by a pest control method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention. Embodiment 5 differs from embodiment 1 in that the present invention is applied to the truck bed 40. The differences from embodiment 1 will be described in detail below. The vehicle body is omitted in Fig. 8.

[0075] 8 is a perspective view of a truck bed 40 seen from the rear of the vehicle; this truck is a long-distance truck. The bed 40 is provided with a cargo compartment (space) R2 defined by a floor 42, a side wall portion 43, and an upper wall portion 44. The cargo compartment R2 can be opened and closed by a door 46. Note that the present invention can be applied to a container of a freight train or a cargo compartment of a long-distance transport ship, instead of a long-distance truck.

[0076] For example, a long-distance truck travels from a cold region where the outside temperature is 15°C or less (hibernation start temperature) to a warm region where the outside temperature is 20°C or more (activity start temperature). The temperature in the cargo compartment R2 of such a long-distance truck changes in the same way as the outside temperature, rising from below the hibernation start temperature to above the activity start temperature. When the temperature in the cargo compartment R2 is below the hibernation start temperature, a pest control agent is held on the floor 42, the inner surface of the side wall portion 43, the inner surface of the upper wall portion 44, etc. of the cargo compartment R2. There is a risk that pests are hibernating in the cargo compartment R2 when the temperature is below the hibernation start temperature, but when the truck travels to a warm region, the pests crawl out and the amount of evaporation of the pest control agent increases, so that the pests can be controlled, and pest damage to luggage, etc. can be prevented.

[0077] In addition, in the fifth embodiment, an outside air intake hole 49 may be provided as in the second embodiment, and an impregnated body 48 impregnated with a pest control agent may be installed. In this case, when the room temperature in the cargo room R2 and the air temperature outside the cargo room R2 are equal to or lower than the hibernation start temperature, the impregnated body 48 is installed so that it is exposed to outside air taken in through the outside air intake hole 49 provided in the side wall portion 43.

[0078] Thereafter, the amount of the pest control agent evaporating from the impregnated body 48 into the load room R2 is increased by taking in outside air from the outside air intake hole 49 and increasing the temperature outside the load room R2. When the room temperature R2 reaches or exceeds the temperature at which pests start to become active, pests that have started to become active can be controlled.

[0079] The above-described embodiment is merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as being restrictive. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be applied to an attic, a store that is not used during the winter, a garage, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0080] As described above, the pest control method according to the present invention can be used, for example, in spaces into which pests may enter to hibernate during the winter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 warehouse 2 Floor (holding means) 3 Side wall (holding means) 6. Aerosol containers 10a Outside air intake 13 Impregnated body R space

Claims

1. A pest control method for controlling pests in a space, comprising: a holding means for holding a pest control agent having a vapor pressure of 1×10 -5 to 1×10 -3 mmHg at 30° C. is prepared in the space where the room temperature rises from below the hibernation onset temperature at which the pests to be controlled start hibernation to above the activity onset temperature at which the hibernating pests start to become active, when the room temperature is below the hibernation onset temperature; Thereafter, the amount of the pest control agent evaporated from the holding means into the space is increased by increasing the room temperature, and the pests that have begun to become active when the room temperature reaches or exceeds the activity initiation temperature are controlled in this pest control method.

2. The method for controlling pests according to claim 1, The pest control method, wherein the pest control agent is at least one of transfluthrin and metofluthrin.

3. The method for controlling pests according to claim 1 or 2, The hibernation onset temperature is 15° C., The pest control method, wherein the activity initiation temperature is 20°C.

4. The method for controlling pests according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The pest control method, wherein the space is a non-residential space where no humans reside.

5. A pest control method for controlling pests in a space, comprising: A pest control agent having transpiration properties is attached to the inner surface of a floor or wall of the space where the room temperature rises from below the hibernation onset temperature at which the pests to be controlled start hibernation to above the activity onset temperature at which the hibernating pests start to become active, and the floor or wall serves as a holding means for the pest control agent, and the holding means with the pest control agent attached thereto is prepared when the room temperature is below the hibernation onset temperature, Thereafter, the amount of the pest control agent evaporated from the holding means into the space is increased by increasing the room temperature, and the pests that have begun to become active when the room temperature reaches or exceeds the activity initiation temperature are controlled in this pest control method.

6. The method for controlling pests according to claim 5, The pest control agent is contained in an aerosol container, The pest control method comprises spraying the pest control agent from the aerosol container toward the floor or the inner surface of the wall of the space, thereby adhering the pest control agent to the floor or the inner surface of the wall.

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