Honeycomb Disintegrator

Abstract

To provide a method for promoting the transport of a poison bait to a beehive and a method for causing the beehive to collapse early. [Solution] A method for promoting the transport of poison bait by bees to their nests, characterized in that the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait is in the range of 40 or more and less than 83.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the delivery of toxic bait to a beehive. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, damage caused by wasps has increased and become a problem. Approximately 3,000 species of wasps are known in Japan, of which approximately 20 are carnivorous wasps with strong biting properties. Among these, wasps belonging to the Vespidae family, such as hornets and paper wasps, are highly aggressive species that can cause anaphylactic shock when bitten, and the structure of their stingers allows them to attack multiple times, making them one of the pest species for which there is a high demand for extermination, and rapid-acting extermination is required. Carnivorous wasps sometimes build nests under the eaves or in the attics of private homes, and in urban areas, the range of activity of carnivorous wasps overlaps with that of human residential areas, so damage caused by stings tends to occur frequently. Carnivorous wasps are aggressive, so people may approach a nest unknowingly and be attacked, resulting in damage. For example, the number of people who die from being stung by carnivorous wasps is reported to be around 10 to 20 each year.

[0003] Current methods for exterminating bees generally involve spraying a liquid or aerosol agent containing an insecticidal active ingredient directly on the bees to exterminate them, and many aerosol agents containing fast-acting pyrethroid insecticides as active ingredients have been proposed (e.g., Patent Documents 1-3, etc.). However, even when using these aerosol agents, there are cases where a sufficient amount cannot be sprayed on each individual, and cases where excited bees emit alarm pheromones during the time until the insecticidal effect is exerted, attracting more excited bees and being attacked by these bees. Furthermore, although the liquid or aerosol agent can exterminate the bees that are sprayed, it is not possible to exterminate many bees in the nest, and there is also a problem that it is not possible to prevent damage from occurring again. In light of this situation, hopes are being placed on a method of exterminating bees other than using liquid or aerosol agents, in which the bees are made to carry poison bait back to their nest, eliminating the bees inside and causing the nest to collapse. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-178793 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-093846 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2011-144151 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to increase the effectiveness of poison bait in exterminating bees, it is effective to increase the feeding tendency. After eating the bait, bees have the habit of returning to the hive and feeding other bees in the hive by mouth-to-mouth. Therefore, by having bees that have eaten the poison bait carry it back to the hive, the insecticidal effect of the poison bait can be efficiently transmitted to other bees, increasing the effectiveness of destroying the hive. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to accelerate the transport of poison bait to a beehive and to cause the beehive to collapse at an early stage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of extensive research into solving the above problems, the inventors of the present invention have discovered that by setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait in the range of 40 or more and less than 83, it is possible to increase the palatability of the bees and promote the transport of the poison bait to the beehive, and furthermore, to cause the beehive to collapse early, thereby solving the above problems.

[0007] Specifically, the present invention relates to the following items. 1. A method for promoting the transport of poisonous bait containing an insecticide to a beehive, comprising adjusting the sugar content (Brix) of the poisonous bait to be in the range of 40 or more and less than 83. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, by setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait in the range of 40 or more and less than 83, the bees' eating tendency is increased and the transport of the poison bait to the beehive can be promoted, so that a high extermination effect against bees can be exerted and the entire beehive can be efficiently destroyed, which is useful. In addition, by setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait to 40 or more, even when the poison bait is impregnated, attached or applied to a carrier that has a large contact with air, the occurrence of mold and the like is greatly reduced and the putrefaction of the poison bait is suppressed, so that the extermination effect against bees is not reduced. Furthermore, by placing poison bait with a sugar content (Brix) of 40 or more and less than 83 within 1 meter from the beehive and within 3 meters from the bee's movement line, the bees will recognize the poison bait as a new food or a new feeding area at an early stage, and as a result, the entire beehive can be destroyed early. In this invention, "early" in the early destruction of the entire beehive means within 2 weeks after the poison bait is placed in the above range. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a specific embodiment of a bee poison bait container for storing poison bait according to the present invention, with the liquid-absorbent member removed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bee poison bait container shown in FIG. 1 with the inner lid and umbrella removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail below. The present invention is characterized in that the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait is in the range of 40 or more and less than 83. <Sugar content (Brix)> The sugar content (Brix) in the present invention is the reading of a sugar refractometer at 20°C, and means the value measured at 20°C using a digital refractometer PAL-1 (manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd.) for the entire poison bait used for bee extermination. Since the measurement range of the digital refractometer PAL-1 (manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd.) is 0.0 to 53.0 (Brix), for those with a sugar content (Brix) higher than 53.0, the product was diluted 10 times with ion-exchanged water and measured, and the value was converted to a value of 10 times. In addition, for preparations other than liquid preparations, the product was diluted 10 times with ion-exchanged water and measured, and the measured value was multiplied by 10 to obtain the sugar content. The sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait in the present invention is 40 or more, more preferably 50 or more, and even more preferably 60 or more. The upper limit of the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait is less than 83. In the present invention, by making the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait 40 or more, not only is it easier for the bees to eat it, but it also encourages the bees to carry the poison bait to their nest. This allows the poison bait to be given to other bees in the nest, spreading throughout the entire nest and causing the nest to collapse, providing an excellent extermination effect. This is the first finding that the transportation of poison to the hive is promoted by setting the sugar content (Brix) in the range of 40 to less than 83. By luring the bees from the hive to the poison bait and having them carry it back into the hive, the entire hive can ultimately be destroyed.

[0011] <Bee> The bees to be exterminated in the present invention are mainly bees belonging to the family Vespidae, but also include bees belonging to the Hymenoptera order such as hornet bees, carpenter bees, tortoiseshell bees, digger bees, and burrowing bees. Among them, bees belonging to the family Vespidae can be exemplified by bees belonging to the subfamily Vespinae and the subfamily Polistinae. Examples of wasps belonging to the Vespidae subfamily include the giant hornet, Japanese yellow hornet, small hornet, Asian hornet, small female hornet, brown hornet, Japanese black hornet, Japanese black hornet, parasitic hornet, and Japanese giant hornet. Examples of bees belonging to the Polistinae subfamily include the Japanese paper wasp, the black paper wasp, the two-spotted paper wasp, the pointed two-spotted paper wasp, the Yamato paper wasp, the yellow spotted paper wasp, the small paper wasp, the Yaeyama paper wasp, the small narrow-legged paper wasp, and the sparse narrow-legged paper wasp.

[0012] <Sugars> In the present invention, in order to set the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait to a range of 40 or more and less than 83, it is preferable to adjust the sugar content of the entire poison bait by blending sugars such as white sugar, brown sugar, brown sugar, etc., starch sugars such as starch syrup and glucose, honey, molasses, lactic acid products (lactic acid bacteria drinks, etc.), fruits, processed fruit products, fruit juice, fruit juice drinks, etc. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. The poison bait of the present invention is also preferably made using blackstrap molasses with a sugar content (Brix) in the range of 40 or more and less than 83. Blackstrap molasses is useful because it can selectively attract carnivorous bees such as hornets and paper wasps. Here, carnivorous bees refer to non-carnivorous bees such as honeybees, other carnivorous bees, and carnivorous bees that feed on other insects. Blackstrap molasses contains aroma components such as furfuryl alcohol, furfural, and sotolon.

[0013] <Other attractants> The poison bait of the present invention can be used in combination with known attractants other than the above-mentioned components. Known attractants may be based on, for example, vinegar such as balsamic vinegar, apple vinegar, rice vinegar, brown rice vinegar, lees vinegar, soybean vinegar, black vinegar, wine vinegar, sudachi vinegar, red vinegar, persimmon vinegar, malt vinegar, purple sweet potato vinegar, sugarcane vinegar, fruit wine, beer, sake, shochu, whiskey, brandy, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, Shaoxing wine, white wine, aged wine, sake lees, seafood, seafood processed products, seafood extracts, meat, meat processed products, meat extracts, flavorings, etc. Among these attractants, liquid ones are particularly preferred. Furthermore, if moisturizing components such as aliphatic polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, and thickening polysaccharides such as xanthan gum are included, the efficacy of the attractant can be exerted for a long period of time.

[0014] <Insecticides> The poison bait of the present invention can be used in combination with a known insecticide to reliably exterminate not only the bees that have eaten it, but also the bees that are in the nest. Known insecticides that can be used in combination include, for example, pyrethroid compounds such as natural pyrethrin, allethrin, resmethrin, furamethrin, prallethrin, telallethrin, phthalthrin, fenothrin, permethrin, cyphenothrin, cypermethrin, transfluthrin, metofluthrin, profluthrin, imiprothrin, empenthrin, etofenprox, silafluofen, meperfluthrin, dimefluthrin, and other carbamate compounds such as propoxur and carbaryl, organophosphorus compounds such as fenitrothion, diazinon, tetrachlorvinphos, and DDVP, oxadiazole compounds such as metoxadiazone, and fipronil. Examples of the insecticides include phenylpyrazole compounds, sulfonamide compounds such as amidoflumet, neonicotinoid compounds such as imidacloprid and dinotefuran, insect juvenile hormone-like compounds such as pyriproxyfen, methoprene, and hydroprene, oxidative phosphorylation uncouplers such as sulfuramide, anti-juvenile hormone-like compounds such as precocene, chitin synthesis inhibitors such as novaluron, diflubenzuron, and etoxazole, amidinohydrazone compounds such as hydramethylnon, and insecticidal essential oils such as phytoncides, peppermint oil, orange oil, cinnamon oil, and clove oil. Furthermore, synergists such as sinepirin and piperonyl butoxide can also be used in combination. Among them, insecticides that are less repellent to bees and have a delayed effect, such as diazinon, tetrachlorvinphos, sulfluramide, fipronil, and hydramethylnon, are suitable as insecticides to be mixed into the poison bait of the present invention.

[0015] When compounding with the poison bait of the present invention, those with high water solubility may be preferable in terms of formulation, such as acephate, vamidothion, methidathion (DMTP), fenobucarb (BPMC), ethiofencarb, cartap, thiocyclam, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, cyromazine, fosthiazate, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, carbaryl (NAC), clothianidin, pymetrozine, dinotefuran, etc. Among these, for example, those with a water solubility of 500 ppm or more at 20°C, such as dinotefuran (water solubility at 20°C: about 54,000 ppm), thiamethoxam (water solubility at 20°C: about 4,100 ppm), imidacloprid (water solubility at 20°C: about 510 ppm), and fenobucarb (BPMC, water solubility at 20°C: about 610 ppm), are suitable as insecticides to be incorporated in the poison bait of the present invention.

[0016] <Preparation> The poison bait in the present invention may have a sugar content (Brix) of 40 or more and less than 83 when used, and includes formulated products and those diluted with water. Examples of the formulation type include liquid preparations such as oil solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, and flowables (suspensions in water, emulsions in water, etc.), as well as solid preparations such as gels, pastes, microcapsules, powders, granules, and tablets. Among them, liquid preparations are preferred because they are easy for bees to consume. Furthermore, they are preferred because they are easy to dilute with water and leave little residue. Examples of water used for dilution include purified water, tap water, ion-exchanged water, distilled water, filtered water, sterilized water, groundwater, and well water. The poison bait of the present invention is preferably used by impregnating, adhering or coating a carrier such as a sponge, a polymer such as a water-absorbent polymer, absorbent cotton, natural fiber, synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, paper, porous body, etc., and storing it in a container, and further in a form that does not allow rainwater to penetrate into the container. Since the poison bait of the present invention has a sugar content (Brix) of 40 or more, for example, even when this poison bait is impregnated, attached or coated on a carrier that has a large contact with air, the occurrence of mold and the like is greatly reduced. This prevents the poison bait from spoiling, and the effect of exterminating bees is not reduced.

[0017] <Formulation aids> In the present invention, the poison bait can be formulated using a surfactant within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. As the surfactant, any of nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants can be used without particular limitation, but among them, nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants are preferable. Specifically, for example, nonionic surfactants include sugar ester type, fatty acid ester type, vegetable oil type, alcohol type, alkylphenol type, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer type, alkylamine type, bisphenol type, and polyaromatic ring type. Anionic surfactants include carboxylic acid type, sulfonic acid type, sulfate ester type, and phosphate ester type. Cationic surfactants include ammonium type and benzalkonium type. Amphoteric surfactants include betaine type. Among them, preferred nonionic surfactants include polyglycerol fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene aryl ethers, polyalkylene glycol fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene castor oil, polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil, and the like, and preferred anionic surfactants include sulfonates. Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants include polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene aryl ethers, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, and polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and particularly preferred anionic surfactants include alkylsulfoacetates. These surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0018] The poison bait of the present invention can be formulated by containing ingredients generally added to formulations to the extent that the effects of the present invention are not hindered. Examples of ingredients generally added to formulations include stabilizers, preservatives, coloring agents, agents to prevent accidental ingestion and ingestion, liquid carriers, etc. Examples of stabilizers include antioxidants such as dibutylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), ascorbic acid, etc. Examples of preservatives include sodium chloride, sorbic acid, sorbic acid salts, parahydroxybenzoic acid esters, thiabendazole, etc. Examples of coloring agents include caramel color, gardenia color, anthocyanin color, safflower color, flavonoid color, Red No. 2, Red No. 3, Yellow No. 4, Yellow No. 5, etc. Examples of agents to prevent accidental ingestion and ingestion include denatonium benzoate, etc.

[0019] Examples of liquid carriers used in formulation include alcohols (methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, hexanol, ethylene glycol, etc.), ethers (diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, etc.), esters (ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl myristate, ethyl lactate, etc.), ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, etc.), aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons (xylene, toluene, alkylnaphthalene, phenylmethyl ether ... Examples of solvents that can be used include but are not limited to: phenylxylylethane, kerosene, diesel, hexane, cyclohexane, etc.; halogenated hydrocarbons (chlorobenzene, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane, etc.); nitriles (acetonitrile, isobutyronitrile, etc.); sulfoxides (dimethyl sulfoxide, etc.); heterocyclic solvents (sulfolane, γ-butyrolactone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone); acid amides (N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, etc.); alkylidene carbonates (propylene carbonate, etc.); vegetable oils (soybean oil, cottonseed oil, etc.); vegetable essential oils (orange oil, hyssop oil, lemon oil, etc.); and water.

[0020] <Bee poison bait container> The poison bait of the present invention is preferably used by storing it in a container. The container is not limited in shape or size as long as it can contain the poison bait of the present invention inside, and may be in a form suitable for the place and method of use. The material of this container is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, glass, metal, plastic, or special paper with waterproof or water-repellent properties that will not allow the poison bait of the present invention to leak out of the container. As an example of the container, it is preferable that the container has a lid that covers the opening, and an opening through which the bees can enter is formed in either the lid or the container. It is preferable to form multiple openings in the container so that the bees can easily enter the container, and the number of openings is preferably 2 to 5, although this number depends on the size of the container. In addition, it is preferable that the shape of the container allows the bees that have entered the container to easily exit the container after eating the poison bait of the present invention. The container may be provided with a transparent or semi-transparent window, or may be a transparent or semi-transparent container. When a bee poison bait container is placed outdoors, in order to prevent rainwater or the like from seeping in and diluting the poison bait of the present invention and reducing the bee extermination effect, it is preferable to have a cover that has space for the opening and prevents the infiltration of rainwater, etc. The container containing the poison bait of the present invention is preferably used by placing it on a flat surface such as the ground or a balcony where it is not exposed to direct sunlight and where the entrance of the container is not blocked, or by hanging it at a height of 1 to 3 m from the flat surface of the flat surface.

[0021] <Examples of wasp poison bait containers> The structure of the wasp poison bait container 1 suitable for storing the poison bait of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The wasp poison bait container 1 is structured so that it is easy for wasps to enter, but at the same time, it is difficult for people's fingers to touch the poison bait of the present invention, and the effective period of the wasp poison bait can be extended. The bee poison bait container 1 comprises a lower container 10 (container body: bottom surface 101, side surfaces 102, protrusions 103, openings 105), an inner lid 20, a umbrella 30, and a liquid-absorbent member 40.

[0022] The inner lid 20 is configured to engage with the outside of the lower container 10 and be fixed to the lower container 10. A bee entrance 21 (opening) communicating with the lower container 10 is formed in the center of the inner lid 20. In addition, a bee retention port 22 for the bees to stay is formed in the inner lid 20. The bee retention port 22 is inclined so that the inside is higher than the outer edge (the height increases from the outer edge of the bee retention port 22 toward the center). Bees are sometimes described as having negative geotaxis, that is, the nature of living things moving in the opposite direction to gravity. By providing an inclined surface 22A (distance D4 from the outer edge to the bee entrance 21), it is possible to promote the walking of the bees into the bee poison bait container 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a groove G extending in the radial direction may be provided between adjacent inclined surfaces 22A. The grooves G allow the bees to hook their legs, which helps the bees climb the inclined surface 22A. The inclined surface 22A may be provided with a protrusion or an uneven surface.

[0023] By providing the inclined surface 22A, when a person's finger is inserted through the gap between the umbrella 30 and the inner lid 20, the inserted finger comes into contact with the inclined surface 22A and is guided obliquely upward. Therefore, it becomes possible to guide the finger in a direction away from the liquid-absorbent member 40 stored at the bottom inside the lower container 10. Also, even if the person tries to bend the joints of the finger, the finger hits the umbrella 30 and becomes difficult to bend, making it difficult to touch the liquid-absorbent member 40. Furthermore, by providing the inclined surface 22A, the wind passing through the bee poison bait container 1 is guided upward along the inclined surface 22A. This makes it possible to prevent the wind from directly hitting the liquid-absorbent member 40, thereby suppressing fluctuations in the amount of volatilization of the poison bait impregnated in the liquid-absorbent member 40, and ultimately suppressing fluctuations in the usable period of the liquid-absorbent member 40. In addition, the bee retention port 22 is formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the lower container 10. By providing the bee retention port 22 so as to protrude in this manner, the bees can easily retain there, and the bees can enter the lower container 10 through the bee entrance 21 formed in the center of the inner lid 20. In addition, a plurality of engagement holes 23 for engaging with the lower end of the umbrella 30 (the lower end of the side wall portion 32) are formed in the peripheral portion of the inner lid 20.

[0024] The umbrella 30 is engaged with the inner lid 20 so as to cover the upper part of the bee entrance 21. By engaging the umbrella 30 with the inner lid 20, the liquid-absorbent member 40 exposed to the outside through the bee entrance 21 is covered from above by the umbrella 30, and it is possible to prevent water (e.g., rain) from directly hitting the liquid-absorbent member 40 from the outside. In addition, the inclined surface 22A of the inner lid 20 described above can also prevent water from entering the lower container 10. The umbrella 30 is provided with an arch-shaped opening 31 that communicates the bee entrance 21 with the outside of the bee poison bait container 1. The bees that are staying at the bee staying port 22 can enter the inside of the bee poison bait container 1 (the inside of the umbrella 30) from the arch-shaped opening 31, and further enter the inside of the lower container 10 from the bee entrance 21. The side walls 32 located on both sides of the arch-shaped opening 31 engage with the inner lid 20 to fix the umbrella 30 and the inner lid 20. Here, the height of the arch-shaped opening 31 based on the inclined surface 22A of the inner lid 20 (the vertical distance between the inclined surface 22A and the middle part of the arch-shaped opening 31) is preferably 10 mm or more and 35 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less. When the height of the arch-shaped opening 31 from the inner lid 20 is 10 mm or more, even a large bee such as a hornet can enter the bee poison bait container 1. On the other hand, when the height of the inner lid 20 and the arch-shaped opening is greater than 35 mm, a person's fingers are likely to touch the poison bait of the present invention. In addition, large insects other than bees may enter. The upper surface of the umbrella 30 is provided with a hook portion 35 for hanging the bee poison bait container 1 on an external member.

[0025] The liquid-absorbent member 40 is an impregnated body impregnated with the poison bait of the present invention to be consumed by bees. 2, the liquid-absorbent member 40 has holes 42 (recesses) extending in a direction from the upper surface 40a side of the main body (liquid-absorbent member main body) toward the lower surface. The holes 42 are not limited to being formed only in the liquid-absorbent member 40, and may be formed, for example, between the liquid-absorbent member 40 and the lower container 10, or may be formed only in the lower container 10. When the holes 42 are formed only in the lower container 10, it is preferable that they are formed along the periphery of the liquid-absorbent member 40, so that the bees that enter the inside of the holes 42 can eat the poison bait of the present invention impregnated in the liquid-absorbent member 40.

[0026] The hole 42 has an opening shape for the bee to enter the inside, in other words, an opening large enough for the bee's head to enter the inside. Specifically, the diameter of the hole 42 is preferably in the range of 5 to 30 mm. If the diameter of the hole 42 is larger than 30 mm, the inside of the hole 42 is easily dried, and if the diameter of the hole 42 is smaller than 5 mm, it is difficult for the bee's head to enter the inside of the hole 42. Bees have a habit of sticking their heads into the nest hole (for example, hornets and paper wasps have a habit of sticking their heads into the nest hole to receive nutrient liquid from the larvae in the nest hole by mouth transfer (if thick liquid has accumulated on the lower side of the hole 42, hornets and paper wasps stick their heads in and lick the liquid on the lower side of the hole 42)), so the bees use this habit to eat the poison bait of the present invention contained inside the hole 42. Therefore, even if the upper surface 40a of the liquid-absorbent member 40 dries up, the bees can take advantage of this behavior to eat the poison bait of the present invention held inside the holes 42 formed in the liquid-absorbent member 40, thereby extending the effective period of the poison bait. The holes 42 are formed extending in a direction from the upper surface 40a side to the lower surface side of the liquid-absorbent member 40, but the extending direction may be any direction. Also, the holes 42 do not have to penetrate the liquid-absorbent member 40 so long as they have an opening large enough for the bee's head to enter. For example, if the holes 42 are more than half the thickness of the liquid-absorbent member 40, this is preferable because the bees can eat the poison bait of the present invention contained on the lower surface side, which is less likely to dry compared to the upper surface 40a side, which is relatively more likely to dry. Specific embodiments of the bee poison bait container 1 have been described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, but the size, shape, arrangement, number, etc. are not limited to these and can be changed as appropriate depending on the purpose.

[0027] The poison bait of the present invention, with a sugar content (Brix) in the range of 40 to less than 83, is preferably placed more than 1 meter away from the beehive and within 3 meters of the bee movement line, so that the bees will recognize the poison bait as new food or a new feeding area at an early stage, and as a result, the entire beehive can be destroyed early. This preferable placement is thought to be due to the fact that if the poison bait is placed within 1 meter of the beehive, the bees will be wary of the poison bait, which is a newly appeared artificial object, and will be difficult to approach, and if the poison bait is placed more than 3 meters away from the bee movement line, it will take a very long time for the bees to recognize the poison bait as new food or a new feeding area. In other words, it is believed that by placing the poison bait of the present invention more than 1 meter away from the beehive and within 3 meters of the bee's movement path, the bees will reach the poison bait early, facilitating the transport of the poison bait to the hive, and as a result, the entire beehive will collapse early. In the present invention, the "path of movement of bees" means the path of bees traveling from the beehive to their usual feeding grounds. EXAMPLES

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to test sample preparation examples and test examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the examples, unless otherwise specified, all parts are by weight.

[0029] <Testing to confirm the palatability of poison bait based on sugar content (Brix)> (1) Preparation of test samples Three types of fructose aqueous solutions with sugar content (Brix) shown in Table 1 below were prepared and designated as test samples 2 to 4. In addition, a sample containing only water with a sugar content (Brix) of 0 was designated as test sample 1. (2) Test Method 1.7 g of each of the test samples 1 to 4 in (1) above was soaked in 85 mm x 80 mm absorbent cotton folded in four, and filled into a circular container (diameter 40 mm x height 35 mm), which was then placed in a KP cup (diameter 130 mm x height 100 mm). A test insect (Polistina sieboldii) was placed in the cup and observed for one hour, and the average feeding time (seconds) per feeding was measured. The sugar content (Brix) and eating time (seconds) of test samples 1 to 4 are summarized in Table 1 below.

[0030] [Table 1]

[0031] From the results shown in Table 1, it was clear that the eating quality was dramatically improved by increasing the sugar content (Brix) to 40 or more (test samples 3 and 4). Furthermore, it was confirmed that the eating quality was improved by more than three times by increasing the sugar content (Brix) to 60 or more (test sample 4) compared to a sugar content (Brix) of 40 (test sample 3). This increase in feeding habits means that the bees recognize the food as good or a new feeding site, and it is thought that the bees that have eaten the food carry it to the hive and feed it to other bees in the hive by mouth (propagation). This was confirmed in the following test.

[0032] <Transmission Confirmation Test 1> (1) Preparation of test samples Test samples 2 to 4 used in the above "Test to confirm the edibility of poison bait based on sugar content (Brix)" were used. (2) Test method After dropping 2g of 0.01% by weight ethanol solution of imidacloprid onto 85mm x 80mm absorbent cotton and drying, 4g of each of test specimens 2 to 4 was impregnated and fed to one test insect (honeybee female) that had been fasted overnight. Next, the fed test insect was placed in a metal cage (25cm x 25cm x 25cm) and additional bees (honeybees: those living in the same nest as the test insects) of the "number of additional bees" shown in Table 2 were placed there. After 14 hours, the number of additional bees that had died in the metal cage ("number of dead bees of additional bees") was confirmed. The test was conducted at room temperature (25°C). The sugar content (Brix), number of additional bees, number of dead bees, and mortality rate (%) of additional bees for test samples 2 to 4 are summarized in Table 2 below. In addition, the test insects that were fasted overnight were confirmed to be dead in all tests.

[0033] [Table 2]

[0034] From the results shown in Table 2, it became clear that test samples 3 and 4, which have a sugar content (Brix) of 40 or more, had a high lethal effect not only on the test insects that ate them, but also on the additional bees that were added later, due to the combined use of imidacloprid. This is thought to be because the test insects that ate test samples 3 and 4 fed the test samples to the additional bees that were added later by mouth transfer (transmission), and therefore a high lethal effect was also observed in the additional bees that were added later, but did not eat test samples 3 and 4. On the other hand, in test sample 2, which had a sugar content (Brix) of 20, the imidacloprid used in combination had no lethal effect on the additional bees added later. The test results showed that by increasing the sugar content (Brix) to 40 or more (test samples 3 and 4), bees recognize the food as good food or a new feeding ground, and that the bees that eat it will then pass the food on to other bees by mouth (transmission). When bees recognize the bait as good or a new feeding ground, it is believed that the bees that have eaten it will transport the bait to the hive in order to feed it to other bees in the hive by mouth (transmission). Therefore, by making the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait 40 or higher, it can be said that this will encourage the bees to transport the bait to the hive.

[0035] <Transmission Confirmation Test 2> (1) Preparation of test samples Aqueous fructose solutions with sugar contents (Brix) of 60, 80, and 83 were prepared and designated as test samples 5 to 7. (2) Test method After dropping 2g of 0.01% by weight ethanol solution of imidacloprid onto 85mm x 80mm absorbent cotton and drying, 4g of each of test specimens 5 to 7 was impregnated and fed to one test insect (honeybee female) that had been fasted overnight. Next, the fed test insect was placed in a metal cage (25cm x 25cm x 25cm) and additional bees (honeybees: those living in the same nest as the test insects) of the "number of additional bees" shown in Table 3 were placed there. After 14 hours, the number of additional bees that had died in the metal cage ("number of dead bees of additional bees") was confirmed. The test was conducted at room temperature (25°C). The sugar content (Brix), number of additional bees, number of dead bees, and mortality rate (%) of additional bees for test samples 5 to 7 are summarized in Table 3 below. In addition, the test insects that were fasted overnight were confirmed to be dead in all tests.

[0036] [Table 3]

[0037] From the results shown in Table 3, it became clear that test samples 5 and 6, which have sugar content (Brix) of 60 and 80, had a high lethal effect not only on the test insects that ate them, but also on the additional bees that were added later, due to the combined use of imidacloprid. This is thought to be because the test insects that ate test samples 5 and 6 fed the test samples to the additional bees that were added later by mouth transfer (transmission), and therefore a high lethal effect was also observed in the additional bees that were added later, but did not eat test samples 5 and 6. On the other hand, in test sample 7, which had a sugar content (Brix) of 83, the imidacloprid used in combination had no lethal effect on the additional bees added later. The test results showed that by making the sugar content (Brix) less than 83 (test samples 5 and 6), the bees recognize it as good food or a new feeding ground, and that the bees that eat it will feed it to other bees by mouth (transmission). When bees recognize the bait as good food or a new feeding site, it is believed that the bees that have eaten it will transport the bait to the hive in order to feed it to other bees in the hive by mouth (transmission). Therefore, by setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait to the range of 40 or higher and lower than 83, it can be said that this will encourage bees to transport the bait to the hive.

[0038] <Transmission Confirmation Test 3> (1) Preparation of test samples In addition to using the fructose aqueous solutions with sugar contents (Brix) of 80 and 83 used as test samples 6 and 7 in the above-mentioned “Transmission Confirmation Test 2”, an aqueous fructose solution with a sugar content (Brix) of 70 was prepared and used as test sample 8. (2) Test method The tests were conducted using three nests that were kept indoors and contained known numbers of paper wasps. A 2g ethanol solution of 0.15% by weight of fipronil was dropped onto a folded 85mm x 30mm absorbent cotton, and after drying, 4g of each of test specimens 6 to 8 was impregnated into the cotton and ingested by one test insect (Polistina chinensis). The ingested test insect was then returned to the nest, and the number of dead paper wasps in the nest was counted after 14 hours. All test insects that consumed test samples 6 to 8 were confirmed to be dead. The test was carried out at room temperature (25°C). For test samples 6 to 8, the sugar content (Brix) and the mortality rate (%) calculated by dividing the number of dead bees (excluding test insects) by the number of bees living in the hive are summarized in Table 4 below.

[0039] [Table 4]

[0040] As shown in the results in Table 4, it was revealed that test samples 8 and 6 with sugar content (Brix) of 70 and 80 against paper wasps, when used in combination with fipronil, had a high lethal effect not only on the test insects that ate them, but also on the bees in the hive in a short period of 14 hours. This is thought to be because the test insects that ate test samples 8 and 6 fed the test samples to the bees in the hive by mouth (transmission), resulting in a high lethal effect. In addition, in the nests of test insects that had eaten either test sample 8 or 6, the queen bees were killed, and the hive was unable to maintain normal function. On the other hand, in test sample 7, which had a sugar content (Brix) of 83, the fipronil used in combination had no lethal effect on the bees in the hive, and the hive continued to function normally. The test results also showed that for paper wasps, by making the sugar content (Brix) less than 83 (test samples 8 and 6), the wasps recognize it as good food, and that the wasps that ate it will then pass it on to other wasps by mouth (transmission). Even carnivorous bees, if they recognize the bait as good, will likely transport it to the hive in order to feed it to other bees in the hive by mouth (transmission). Therefore, by setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait to a range of 40 or higher and lower than 83, it can be said that this will encourage bees to transport the bait to the hive.

[0041] <Outdoor test 1> (1) Preparation of test samples An example test sample (Example 1) with a sugar content (Brix) of 63 and a comparative example test sample (Comparative Example 1) with a sugar content (Brix) of 18 were prepared using attractant components (sake, vinegar, sugar (mainly sucrose), lactic acid bacteria drink, etc.), a solvent (ethyl lactate) and water. In addition, a comparative test sample (Comparative Example 2) with a sugar content (Brix) of 15 was prepared by diluting a commercially available hornet attractant concentrate (Hornet Buster, manufactured by SHIMADA Co., Ltd.) with water according to the instructions. (2) Test method Two pieces of absorbent cotton measuring 170 mm x 80 mm were folded in half and soaked with 100 g of the example test specimen (Example 1) and the comparative test specimen (Comparative Examples 1 and 2), and were stored in an empty container of a commercially available bee trap (diameter 90 mm, height 120 mm, cylindrical plastic container). This was hung from a tree (about 30 m from the nest) near a hornet's nest in a park in Kamigori-cho, Hyogo Prefecture, where hornets are often seen (2 m away from the bee's movement line and 2 m above the ground). For one month after installation (September to October 2018), at around 3 p.m. on weekdays, it was confirmed whether the hornet traveled back and forth between the hornet's nest and the container containing the absorbent cotton soaked with the test specimen. The dryness of the absorbent cotton soaked with the test sample was checked, and if it was dry, more test sample was added as needed until the absorbent cotton was moistened.

[0042] (3) Test results In Example 1 (Sugar content (Brix): 63), which used an Example test sample with a sugar content (Brix) in the range of 40 to less than 83, it was confirmed that the hornets always went back and forth between the hornet's nest and the container containing absorbent cotton soaked with the Example test sample at least once a day. Furthermore, it was also confirmed that the hornets fed the bait to other hornets by mouth transfer (transmission) in the container. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 (sugar content (Brix): 18) and Comparative Example 2 (sugar content (Brix): 15), which used comparative test samples with a sugar content (Brix) lower than 40, one hornet was observed approaching the container containing absorbent cotton soaked in the comparative test sample, but no signs of transporting the hornet to the nest or feeding it by mouth-to-mouth (transmission) were observed. (4) Discussion The results of "Outdoor Test 1" above revealed that by setting the sugar content (Brix) in the range of 40 or more and less than 83, bees recognize the food as good food or a new feeding ground, and after eating it, the bees carry the food back to their nest. As with the above "Transmission Confirmation Test," the results of this outdoor test suggest that if bees recognize a bait as good food or a new feeding site, they will transport the bait to the hive in order to feed it to other bees in the hive by mouth after eating it (transmission). Therefore, it was confirmed once again that by setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait to the range of 40 or higher and lower than 83, it is possible to encourage bees to transport this bait to the hive.

[0043] <Outdoor test 2> (1) Preparation of test samples An example test sample (Example 2) with a sugar content (Brix) of 71 was prepared using attractant components (sugar, honey, lactic acid bacteria drink, etc.), a solvent (ethyl lactate), a surfactant (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil), fipronil and water. (2) Test method A cylindrical nonwoven fabric with a diameter of 75 mm and a thickness of 20 mm, with six holes of a diameter of 13 mm, was impregnated with 90 g of the example test specimen (Example 2). This was stored in a container (diameter 100 mm, height 30 mm, height including the umbrella 55 mm, cylindrical container) equipped with an umbrella to prevent rainwater from entering. This was hung and installed on a tree (about 2 m from the nest) near a hornet's nest (diameter about 40 cm) built in a cherry tree near a river in Kamigori-cho, Hyogo Prefecture (0.5 m away from the hornet's movement line, 1 m above the ground). After installation, visual observation was performed every day at around 6 p.m. to confirm whether the hornet traveled back and forth between the hornet's nest and the container containing the nonwoven fabric impregnated with Example 2, and whether the nest had collapsed. Here, "the nest collapses" means that the number of hornet's nests entering and leaving the nest per 5 minutes becomes zero. The nest was deemed to have collapsed when no wasps entered or exited within a five minute period.

[0044] (3) Test results Two days after the start of the test, it was confirmed that hornets frequently went back and forth between the container containing the nonwoven fabric impregnated with Example 2 and the hornet's nest. Three days after the start of the test, only one hornet entered and left the hornet's nest, and four days after the start of the test, no hornet entered or left the hornet's nest at all. At around 18:00 on the day before the container containing the nonwoven fabric impregnated with Example 2 was installed, the number of hornets entering and leaving the hornet's nest was 45 per 5 minutes. The test results showed that a hornet's nest measuring approximately 40 cm in diameter collapsed four days after the test specimen was placed. (4) Discussion The results of "Outdoor Test 2" above showed that by setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait in the range of 40 or more and less than 83, it is possible to increase the bees' appetite for the bait and promote the transport of the poison bait to the beehive, resulting in a high level of extermination effect against bees and the efficient destruction of the entire beehive.

[0045] <Outdoor test 3> (1) Test method In the above "Outdoor Test 2", 90 g of the example test specimen (Example 2) was impregnated and placed in a container with a canopy to prevent rainwater from entering, and used as poison bait. The poison bait was placed at the locations of Test Nos. 1 to 4 for the four beehives shown in Table 5 below. After placing the poison bait, it was confirmed by visual observation whether the bees went back and forth between the beehive and the poison bait, and whether the nest collapsed, and the number of days from placement to collapse was measured. Here, "the nest collapses" means that the number of bees entering and leaving the nest per 5 minutes after placement becomes zero by visual observation.

[0046] (3) Test results [Table 5]

[0047] (4) Discussion From the results of "Outdoor Test 3" above, it was revealed that by placing poison bait with a sugar content (Brix) of 40 or more but less than 83, more than 1 meter away from the beehive and within 3 meters of the bee's movement line, the bees will recognize the poison bait as new food or a new feeding area at an early stage, and as a result, the beehive can be destroyed early, within 2 weeks at the latest after the poison bait is placed. This is because by placing poison bait with a sugar content (Brix) of 40 or more but less than 83 in a specific location, the bees will recognize the poison bait as new food or a new feeding area at an early stage after the placement, and furthermore, because the poison bait has a sugar content (Brix) of 40 or more but less than 83, the transportation of the poison bait to the hive is promoted, and as a result, the entire hive will collapse early. [Industrial Applicability]

[0048] By setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait in the range of 40 to less than 83, the bees will recognize it as good food or a new feeding ground, increasing their appetite, and the bees that have eaten it will feed the bait to other bees in the hive by mouth (propagation), which promotes the transport of the poison bait to the hive. In addition, by placing poison bait with a sugar content (Brix) in the range of 40 to less than 83 in a specific location, the entire hive can be destroyed early. In other words, by setting the sugar content (Brix) of the poison bait to a range of 40 or more and less than 83, and by placing it in a specific location, a high extermination effect against bees can be obtained, and ultimately the entire beehive can be destroyed efficiently and quickly, making this invention extremely useful.

Claims

1. A beehive disintegrator containing an insecticide and having a sugar content (Brix) of 40 or more and less than 83 when used.

2. A method for destroying an entire beehive, characterized in that an insecticide containing an insecticide with a sugar content (Brix) of between 40 and 83 at the time of use is placed more than 1 meter away from the beehive and within 3 meters of the bees' movement path.

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