Method for Controlling Honeycombs

Abstract

To enable safe and quick destruction of bees that make a honeycomb at a relatively high place.SOLUTION: A honeycomb destruction method using an unmanned flight body including a container storing medicine containing an insecticidal component includes: a step of causing the unmanned flight body to be in a hovering state in the vicinity of the honeycomb; and a step of causing the medicine to be adhered to the outer surface of the honeycomb.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for eradicating a beehive at a high place, and particularly belongs to the technical field of using an unmanned aerial vehicle and a drug to eradicate a beehive.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the Asian giant hornet native to China has been discovered in Japan as an invasive alien species. The Asian giant hornet is known to be fierce and highly reproductive, and it has been pointed out that it preferably attacks native Japanese honeybees. In addition, there is a risk of anaphylactic shock when stung by the Asian giant hornet, so urgent eradication is required. There is also a strong demand to eradicate bees that may cause harm to bees other than the Asian giant hornet.

[0003] As a method for eradicating bees, for example, the methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known. In Patent Document 1, a vibration sound that becomes an attack target of bees is generated to attract the bees, hot water is poured on the bees gathering around to kill the bees, and then hot water is injected into the beehive to eradicate the bees in the hive. When the hive is at a high place, it is disclosed that a support pole is used. In addition, in Patent Document 2, a tip pole is connected to the tip of a telescopic main pole by a hinge, an insecticide spray can is attached to this tip pole, and the spray button of the insecticide spray can is pressed by remote control to spray the insecticide.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a support pole or pole is used to drive away the nests and bees around them at high places. However, since such a support pole or pole must be operated while being held and supported by the operator himself, the reasonable length of the support pole or pole is assumed to be about 5 m to 6 m at most. The above-mentioned Japanese honey buzzard has a habit of making nests at high places in trees. Specifically, it may make nests at a height of 8 m to 10 m or more from the ground. It is difficult or unrealistic to drive away the Japanese honey buzzard by the methods of Patent Documents 1 and 2. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to perform the extermination work using an aerial work platform, but there is a problem in terms of safety when using an aerial work platform.

[0006] In addition, the Japanese honey buzzard may make a beehive in a place where an aerial work platform cannot enter (for example, a remote mountain valley). Considering the damage to honeybees, it is desired to quickly exterminate them even in such a place. However, there is also a problem that work using an aerial work platform cannot be performed in such a place in the first place.

[0007] In addition, bees including the Japanese honey buzzard may make nests in places where branches are dense, such as trees in natural forests. In such a case, even if a support pole or pole as in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is used, the branches get in the way and the tip of the support pole or pole cannot reach the nest. Even if an aerial work platform is used, it cannot reach without cutting off the branches, and the bees cannot be quickly exterminated.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to enable bees that make nests at relatively high places and the like to be safely and quickly exterminated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a drug is supplied to a beehive using an unmanned aircraft.

[0010] The first invention is A method for eradicating a beehive using an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of changing the direction of spraying a bee repellent, comprising: hovering the unmanned aerial vehicle in the vicinity of the hive; changing the spraying direction of the repellent during hovering of the unmanned aerial vehicle; after changing the spraying direction of the repellent, spraying the repellent, characterized by including the above steps.

[0011] That is, the unmanned aerial vehicle can fly up to a height of 8 m or more, and its flight route can be freely set. Therefore, for example, the flight route can be set to avoid tree branches and fly to the vicinity of the beehive, above or below the beehive. And since the unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with a chemical supply unit, even when the hive is at a height of 8 m or more or in a tree with many branches, it is easy to supply the chemical for eradicating bees to the hive. Therefore, it is possible to eradicate bees without using a support pole, pole, or aerial work platform as in the prior art.

[0012] A second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the unmanned aerial vehicle is flown below the hive to the hovering state.

[0013] A third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the spraying direction of the repellent is above the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the first invention, bees that build hives at relatively high places can be safely and quickly eradicated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted 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.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bee extermination device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bee extermination device 1 includes an unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and a chemical supply unit 3 provided on the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 for supplying a chemical for exterminating bees to a bee nest. The bee extermination device 1 is used, for example, when spraying, applying, injecting, etc. a chemical to a bee nest made on a tree branch, under the eaves of a house, etc. to exterminate bees. Examples of bee species include the Asian giant hornet, an exotic species native to China, but are not limited thereto, and bees that harm humans and native species can be targeted. Further, the bee extermination device 1 is characterized by supplying a chemical to a bee nest. As the supply method, any one of the above-described spraying, applying, and injecting can be selected, and in addition to these, the chemical can also be supplied to the nest by dropping or dripping the chemical, or the chemical can be supplied to the nest by directly attaching the chemical to the nest.

[0018] (Configuration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) The unmanned aerial vehicle 2 is a so-called multicopter including a fuselage 20, four booms 21, 21,... that support a motor 23 and rotors 24, and a pair of left and right skids 22, 22. In this embodiment, a case where the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 is a quadcopter type with four rotors 24 will be described, but it is not limited thereto, and the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 may be a multicopter with more than four rotors 24. Further, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 is configured to be remotely operable by a controller operated by a ground operator, and is also configured to be able to fly automatically without being operated by the controller by storing a predetermined flight route in advance. Since flight by remote operation and flight according to a predetermined flight route can be realized by a conventionally well-known method, detailed description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the fuselage 20 is laid out at the center of the unmanned aircraft 2, and four booms 21 extend radially from this fuselage 20 in a substantially horizontal direction. That is, when the front-back, left-right directions of the fuselage 20 are defined as shown in each figure, in plan view, the right booms 21, 21 extend obliquely forward and obliquely backward from the right side of the fuselage 20, and the left booms 21, 21 extend obliquely forward and obliquely backward from the left side of the fuselage 20, respectively. Motors 23 are fixed to the tip ends of the respective booms 21. Inside each boom 21, power supply wiring (not shown) for supplying power to the motor 23 is provided. This power supply wiring extends from inside the fuselage 20 and is connected to the motor 23.

[0020] The rotation axis (not shown) of the motor 23 extends in a substantially vertical direction. Rotor blades 24 are fixed to the rotation axes of the respective motors 23, and the rotor blades 24 are rotationally driven by the motors 23. The two rotor blades 24, 24 provided on the front side are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the fuselage 20, and the two rotor blades 24, 24 provided on the rear side are also arranged at intervals in the left-right direction in the same manner. Further, the two rotor blades 24, 24 provided on the right side are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction of the fuselage 20, and the two rotor blades 24, 24 provided on the left side are also arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction in the same manner. The four motors 23 include those that rotate clockwise and those that rotate counterclockwise, thereby canceling each other's reaction forces.

[0021] Note that the motor 23 may be configured to be built into the fuselage 20. In this case, although not shown, a drive shaft, a conduction belt, or the like for transmitting the output of the motor 23 in the fuselage 20 to the rotor blade 24 may be used.

[0022] The skids 22, 22 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the lower part of the fuselage 20 and protrude downward from the lower part of the fuselage 20. Each skid 22 is attached to the fuselage 20 by an attachment member 22a.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, inside the aircraft body 20, there are provided an aerosol container 3a containing a drug, an electromagnetic switching valve 3b for switching the drug in the aerosol container 3a between an injection state and a non-injection state, a control device 28, and a battery 29. The aerosol container 3a and the electromagnetic switching valve 3b constitute a part of the drug supply unit 31, and details will be described later. The battery 29 is for supplying power to devices that require power such as the motor 23 and the control device 28.

[0024] The control device 28 is for individually controlling the four motors 23 and also for controlling the electromagnetic switching valve 3b and the posture changing unit 4 described later. For example, it can be composed of a microcomputer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), ROM, RAM, etc. Although not shown, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor for detecting altitude change, a magnetic sensor for obtaining azimuth, an ultrasonic sensor for obtaining the distance from a predetermined object, a positioning camera for recognizing the shape and color of a predetermined object, a GPS unit for receiving signals transmitted from satellites and specifying the position, etc. are connected to the control device 28, and each signal output from these is input.

[0025] Further, although not shown, the control device 28 also includes a communication device and can, for example, perform wireless communication with a controller on the ground. Examples of the wireless communication format include standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but it is also possible to use the frequency band used in conventional radio control helicopters. When using the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth standard, a smartphone or a tablet terminal can be used as the controller, and by installing a dedicated application on these terminals, communication with the control device 28 of the aircraft body 20 can be achieved. Also, an imaging device such as a camera may be provided on the aircraft body 20. The image captured by the imaging device can be transmitted to the controller on the ground via the communication device, and the operator on the ground can view the image.

[0026] The control device 28 operates according to a program stored in a ROM or the like, and controls the attitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 while adjusting the rotational speeds (number of rotations per unit time) of the four motors 23, so that it can ascend, descend, move forward, move backward, move in the left and right directions, hover (a state of not moving at a predetermined altitude), etc. For example, when moving forward, backward, left, or right, control is performed to decrease the rotational speed of the motor 23 located in the advancing direction and increase the rotational speed of the motor 23 located in the reverse direction. Also, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 can be rotated around a vertical line. For example, when rotating to the right, control can be performed to decrease the rotational speed of the motor 23 rotating to the right below the rotational speed of the motor 23 rotating to the left.

[0027] In addition, the control device 28 is configured to switch the electromagnetic switching valve 3b between an injection state and a non-injection state by operating a controller on the ground. The electromagnetic switching valve 3b can be configured to switch between an open state (injection state) and a closed state (non-injection state) by operating a valve body (not shown) of the aerosol container 3a with a solenoid.

[0028] (Components of the drug) Examples of the drug contained in the aerosol container 3a include a poison for bees and various insecticides. Together with this, liquefied gases such as dimethyl ether, liquefied petroleum gases such as propane, butane, and isobutane, nitrogen gas, compressed air, compressed gases such as carbon dioxide gas, etc. can be used alone or in combination. The gas pressure inside the aerosol container varies slightly depending on the type of propellant, flight distance, and properties of the poison, but is usually (gauge pressure of 0.2 to 0.6 MPa at 20°C).

[0029] The poisonous bait contains an insecticidal component, and sugars and / or animal proteins, or an insecticidal component and a fermentation odor component, etc. Examples of the insecticidal component include pyrethroid insecticides such as allethrin, tetramethrin, resmethrin, phenothrin, flumethrin, permethrin, cyphenothrin, cypermethrin, tralomethrin, empenthrin, prallethrin, etofenprox, silafluofen; organophosphorus insecticides such as fenitrothion, phenthoate, temephos, phoxim, acephate, pyridaphenthion, diazinon, malathion, prothiofos, propaphos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, DDVP; carbamate insecticides such as NAC, penthiocarb, propoxur; and other imidacloprid, methoxadiazone, fipronil and its related compounds, boric acid, hydramethylnon, lithium sulfonate, lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate, sulfluramid, 1-methyl-2-nitro-3,3-tetrahydrofurfuryl guanidine, etc. These can be used alone or in combination.

[0030] Among the above insecticidal components, from the perspective of having less repellency and a high lethal effect, pyrethroid insecticides such as resmethrin, tralomethrin, prallethrin, etofenprox, silafluofen; fipronil, imidacloprid, boric acid, hydramethylnon, lithium sulfonate, lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate, 1-methyl-2-nitro-3,3-tetrahydrofurfuryl guanidine (MTI446) are preferred. Among them, from the perspective of excellent insecticidal power even in trace amounts, fipronil (chemical name: 5-amino-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile), 1-methyl-2-nitro-3,3-tetrahydrofurfuryl guanidine (development number: MTI446) are more preferred.

[0031] Sugars that can be used as an energy source for bees are preferred. Examples of sugars include glucose, maltose, trehalose, starch syrup, reduced starch syrup, reduced maltose starch syrup, linear oligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharides, isomerized sugars, sorbitol, erythritol, palatinose obtained from sugarcane or sugar beet, fructooligosaccharides, reduced lactose obtained from lactose, isomerized lactose, galactooligosaccharides, lactulose fructooligosaccharides, and others such as xylitol, xylitol, fructose, mannitol, coupling sugars, palatinit, soy oligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, etc. Of course, common sucrose, granulated sugar, soft sugar, honey, brown sugar, black honey, etc. are also included as sugars. Among them, from the viewpoints of availability, solubility, sweetness, and attractiveness, glucose, maltose, trehalose, starch syrup, oligosaccharides, lactose, xylitol, coupling sugars, sucrose, granulated sugar, soft sugar, honey, brown sugar, black honey are preferred.

[0032] Animal proteins are preferably those that can be used by bees as food (protein source) for larvae. Vegetable proteins that can be used by bees as food (protein source) for larvae may be used in combination. Examples of animal proteins or vegetable proteins include many substances such as actin, albumin, casein, fibrin, fibrinogen, keratin, globulin (α, β, γ), hemoglobin, lactoglobulin, myosin, pepsin, phosphorylase, ribonuclease, ribonuclease globulin (α, β, γ), gelatin, collagen, lactoglobulin and the like. Among them, from the viewpoint of being effective as an attractant for bees, for example, adults, pupae or larvae of insects such as flies, crickets, locusts, mantises, frogs, cockroaches, dobsonflies, giant bees, wasps, honeybees, butterflies, moths, mosquitoes, ants, stink bugs, spiders, fairy shrimps, as well as cattle, horses, rabbits, chickens, frogs, fish, shellfish, eggs and the like are preferred. Among these, from the viewpoint of having a very high attractiveness to bees, adults, pupae, larvae of insects such as flies, crickets, locusts, mantises, frogs, cockroaches, dobsonflies, giant bees, wasps, honeybees, butterflies, moths, mosquitoes, ants, stink bugs, spiders and their body fluids are more preferred. In addition, since these components are often given to bee larvae as a chewed and loosened meatball-like food, it is desirable that they are processed into a liquid or paste form rather than a dry powder used as food for cockroaches or ants. It is also preferable to use proteins containing mucus such as shiitake mushrooms, which are mushrooms that bees prefer to prey on, sugars in ripe fruits of fruit trees such as figs and grapes, and saps of trees such as oaks and konaras.

[0033] The content of the insecticidal component in the insecticide preferably ranges from 0.0001 to 40% by weight, more preferably from 0.001 to 15% by weight, in the insecticide, from the viewpoint of ensuring the lethal effect on bees, having an effect with a slightly slower onset than a quick effect and having time for bees to carry the insecticide back to the hive and give it to other bees in the hive, and fully considering the safety for humans, livestock and beneficial insects and the economic aspect for users. Also, for fipronil and 1-methyl-2-nitro-3,3-tetrahydrofurylmethylguanidine, it is preferably from 0.0001 to 5% by weight.

[0034] The sugar content in the poisonous food agent varies depending on its sweetness and the target bees, but is preferably 5 to 80% by weight, more preferably 5 to 50% by weight. When the poisonous food agent is a liquid agent or a viscous agent and is used as an attractant, 10 to 60% by weight is preferable, and 10 to 40% by weight is more preferable. From the perspective of formulation such as liquid agents and viscous agents, the content of animal protein in the poisonous food agent is preferably 5 to 80% by weight, more preferably 10 to 50% by weight.

[0035] In addition, the fermentation odor components refer to the components that constitute the fermentation odor when fermentation occurs. The fermentation odor is, for example, an odor emitted when organic substances are decomposed by microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. Examples of fermentation odor components include alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, esters, hydrocarbons, lactones, sulfur compounds, furans, etc. More specifically, alcohols such as ethanol, amyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, 2,4 - hexadienol, aldehydes such as acetaldehyde, dimethylpropanal, methylbutanal, pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, dioctenal, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, acetoin, 2,3 - butanedione, 2 - pentanone, 3 - penten - 2 - one, 3 - hydroxy - 3 - pentanone, 2,3 - pentanedione, 2 - hexanone, 2 - heptanone, 2 - nonanone, 2 - undecanone, acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, benzoic acid, hydrocarbons such as pentane, methylcyclopentane, esters such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, methyl benzoate, ethyl caproate, isoamyl acetate, heptyl butyrate, 2,4 - hexadienyl butyrate, octyl butyrate, 2,4 - hexadienyl crotonate, 2,4 - hexadienyl 2 - methylbutyrate, (Z) - 3 - hexenyl butyrate, 2,4 - hexadienyl butyrate, nonyl butyrate, heptyl butyrate, octyl butyrate, 3 - butynyl 2 - heptynoate, isopentyl 2 - heptynoate, octyl pivalate, 2 - methylpentyl crononate, pentyl 2 - heptynoate, and also esters such as propionate ester, isobutyrate ester, lactones such as γ - valerolactone, δ - caprolactone, δ - octalactone, δ - tridecalactone, sulfur compounds such as methylthiomethane, methyldithiomethane, methylsulfonylmethane, furans such as 2 - propylfuran, 2 - pentylfuran, 2 - hexylfuran, furfural, 2,5 - dimethylfurfural, 5 - methylfurfural, 2 - acetylfuran, 2 - furanpropanol, 2 - propanoylfuran, furfuryl alcohol, etc. can be exemplified.

[0036] Examples of fermentation include oxygen - independent fermentations such as alcohol fermentation, acetone - butanol fermentation, lactic acid fermentation, butyric acid fermentation, methane fermentation, and hydrogen fermentation, and oxidative fermentations such as acetic acid fermentation, gluconic acid fermentation, citric acid fermentation, fumaric acid fermentation, succinic acid fermentation, and kojic acid fermentation. Among them, fermentations by alcohol fermentation, lactic acid fermentation, and acetic acid fermentation are particularly preferred in terms of the fermentation odor. From the viewpoint of enhancing the attractiveness to bees, the fermentation odor components are preferably those that ferment and have a fermentation odor during the application and / or use period of the pesticide.

[0037] In order to improve the adhesion to the nest, the pesticide may be formulated with an adhesive component as an auxiliary agent. Examples of the auxiliary agent include carrageenan, agar, gelatin, gellan gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, starch powder, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, sodium polyacrylate, gum arabic, and the like.

[0038] In addition, other auxiliary components such as stabilizers, preservatives, pigments, synergists, and fragrances can be formulated in the pesticide of the present invention as long as there is no hindrance to the effect. For example, examples of the stabilizer include calcium lactate and calcium chloride. Examples of the preservative include sorbic acid, sorbate, and para - oxybenzoic acid ester. Examples of the synergist include S - 421 and cinepyrin.

[0039] (Configuration of the chemical supply unit) In addition to the aerosol container 3a and the electromagnetic switching valve 3b, the chemical supply unit 3 includes a cylindrical member 31 and an injection attachment (injecting instrument) 32. The cylindrical member 31 constitutes a passage for the chemical, and can be composed of, for example, a tube made of a resin material or the like. This cylindrical member 31 preferably has flexibility to bend when it collides with something, for example.

[0040] The cylindrical member 31 is arranged to protrude outward from the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 beyond the rotary wings 24, 42 between the two rotary wings 24, 24 provided on the front side. As shown by the phantom line in FIG. 3, it can be changed between a posture in which the tip side in the protruding direction is positioned above the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and a posture in which the tip side in the protruding direction is positioned below the unmanned aerial vehicle 2. The length of the cylindrical member 31 can be set to, for example, 50 cm or more. At the base end portion of the cylindrical member 31, the chemical agent flowing out from the electromagnetic switching valve 3b of the aerosol container 3a is introduced through a pipe (not shown).

[0041] The injection attachment 32 is detachably attached to the tip of the cylindrical member 31. Examples of the detachable structure include a structure using screws and a tightening structure using a band, but it is not limited thereto, and various detachable structures can be used. The injection attachment 32 has an injection port 32a for injecting the chemical agent that has flowed through the inside of the cylindrical member 31 in a mist or fine granular form, and the chemical agent can be injected from the injection port 32a to a position at least 1 m or more away by the pressure of the propellant.

[0042] (Configuration of the posture changing unit) In this embodiment, a posture changing unit 4 for changing the posture of the cylindrical member 31 is provided on the unmanned aerial vehicle 2. The posture changing unit 4 is disposed at the front portion of the airframe 20, supports the base end portion of the cylindrical member 31, and includes a rotation mechanism 4a (shown in FIG. 4) that rotates the cylindrical member 31 around a horizontal axis extending in the left - right direction of the airframe 20. The rotation mechanism 4a is composed of, for example, a servo motor or the like, and is controlled by a signal output from the control device 28 to change the posture of the cylindrical member 31 as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 3, and the cylindrical member 31 can be fixed after the change. The rotation angle by the rotation mechanism 4a is set to 180°, but it is not limited thereto.

[0043] (Method for driving away bees) Next, a method for driving away bees using the bee driving device 1 configured as described above will be explained. As shown in FIG. 7, assume a case where a bee (Vespa basalis) nest is made on a branch of a tree. The height of this nest is 8 m or more from the ground. Also, many branches are densely packed around the nest.

[0044] First, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 is operated from the ground by a controller to fly it below the bee nest and put it in a hovering state. At this time, while visually recognizing the surrounding branches on the controller by means of the camera of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 is brought as close as possible to the nest. However, as shown in the figure, the branches around the nest get in the way and the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 has to be kept at a certain distance from the nest.

[0045] While in the hovering state, the controller is operated to change the posture of the cylindrical member 31 by the posture changing unit 4. That is, although not shown, by operating an upward movement button or a downward movement button on the controller, the posture changing unit 4 rotates the cylindrical member 31 upward or downward. The posture of the cylindrical member 31 is changed until the injection port 32a faces the nest. In the case of FIG. 7, since the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 can only be placed below the nest, the cylindrical member 31 is made to face upward. After that, the injection start button on the controller is operated. As a result, the electromagnetic switching valve 3b, which was in a non-injection state, is switched to an injection state, and the insecticide in the aerosol container 3b flows through the cylindrical member 31 and is injected from the injection port 32a toward the nest and supplied to the nest. The insecticide will mainly adhere to the outer surface of the nest.

[0046] In this embodiment, the posture changing unit 4 is an electric type, but it is not limited to this, and a manual type may also be used. In the case of a manual type, for example, before flight, the operator manually changes and fixes the posture of the cylindrical member 31, and in that state, the flight is started so that the injection port 32a faces the nest.

[0047] Here, the bees use nest materials obtained by mixing plant fibers and the salivary substances (proteins) contained in their bodies to form bell-shaped nests, and they have the ecological characteristic that anything attached to the nests will surely be investigated and removed by the bees. Also, when expanding the nest, they have the ecological characteristic of scraping the inner surface of the nest's outer skin to create the colony (hexagonal rooms) inside the nest. Therefore, if a poisonous bait is attached to the bee nest, the bees will recognize it as food, lick it, and give it to other bees inside the nest, causing the insecticidal component to spread throughout all the bees in the nest and killing the bees in the nest, thereby making it possible to exterminate the bees. Also, when the bees rebuild the inside of the nest, they bite and crush the outer skin of the nest with the poisonous bait attached and use it as nest material inside the nest, so it is possible to spread the poisonous bait throughout the entire nest. Thus, using a poisonous bait has the effect of being able to exterminate the bees in the nest.

[0048] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 can only be placed above the nest, the cylindrical member 31 is oriented downward. Then, the injection start button on the controller may be operated.

[0049] Also, in addition to the operator setting the flight route of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 in real time by the controller as described above, the flight route may be set by inputting the coordinates of the target point and waypoints in advance and stored in the control device 28. In this case, after storing the flight route, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 flies along the set flight route.

[0050] Also, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 may be flown directly above the bee nest to change the posture of the cylindrical member 31 so that the injection port 32a faces downward, and the poisonous bait may be dropped, dripped, or flowed down. Also, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 may be flown directly below the bee nest to change the posture of the cylindrical member 31 so that the injection port 32a faces upward and the poisonous bait is injected upward.

[0051] Alternatively, the poisonous agent may be sprayed while changing the posture of the cylindrical member 31. As a result, the spraying range of the poisonous agent can be expanded, so that the poisonous agent can be supplied over a wide area even for a large nest.

[0052] (Effect of the embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 can fly to a height of 8 m or more, and its flight route can be freely set. For example, the flight route can be set so as to avoid the branches of trees, and the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 can fly near, above, or below the honeybee nest. And since the chemical supply unit 3 is provided on the unmanned aerial vehicle 2, even when the honeybee nest is at a height of 8 m or more or in a tree with many branches, it is possible to easily supply the chemical for exterminating the bees to the nest. Therefore, it is possible to safely and promptly exterminate the bees that build nests at relatively high places without using a support pole, a pole, or an aerial work platform as in the prior art.

[0053] In addition, since the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 is a multicopter and the chemical supply unit 3 can be made to project between a plurality of rotary wings 24, 24 and be in a posture located above the unmanned aerial vehicle 2, for example, it is possible to supply the chemical to a nest made to hang from a branch of a tree or a nest made under an eaves.

[0054] In addition, since the posture of the chemical supply unit 3 can be changed, it is possible to flexibly exterminate according to the actual form of the honeybee nest.

[0055] In addition, since the chemical can be sprayed, for example, it is possible to supply the chemical to a honeybee nest located in a place where the branches of a tree are dense and the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 cannot approach.

[0056] In addition, since the chemical can be applied or injected into the honeybee nest, it is possible to eliminate the influence on the surroundings and use the chemical efficiently.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cylindrical member 31 of the chemical supply unit 3 may be configured to be telescopic. The telescopic cylindrical member 31 is configured by connecting a plurality of cylindrical portions 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d arranged in order from the proximal end side to the distal end side. By accommodating the distal end side cylindrical portion 31d in the cylindrical portion 31c, the cylindrical portion 31c in the cylindrical portion 31b, and the cylindrical portion 31b in the cylindrical portion 31a, it becomes possible to shorten the length of the cylindrical member 31. The length of the cylindrical member 31 can be adjusted steplessly.

[0058] Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an injection attachment (injection instrument) 33 can be detachably provided on the cylindrical member 31, and as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an application attachment (application instrument) 34 can be detachably provided on the cylindrical member 31. That is, in this embodiment, in addition to the injection attachment 32 for injecting the chemical agent into the honeycomb, any one of the application attachment 34 for applying the chemical agent to the honeycomb and the injection attachment 33 for injecting the chemical agent into the honeycomb can be selected and detached from the cylindrical member 31. The attachment and detachment structure of the injection attachment 33 and the application attachment 34 is the same as the attachment and detachment structure of the injection attachment 32.

[0059] The application attachment 34 can be composed of, for example, a brush or a cloth material. By previously attaching the poisonous agent to the application attachment 34 and then flying the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and bringing the application attachment 34 into contact with the honeycomb, the poisonous agent can be supplied to the honeycomb. In addition, it is also possible to spray the poisonous agent in the aerosol container 3b and attach it to the application attachment 34 for use.

[0060] The injection attachment 33 is composed of a member such as an injection needle. By injecting the poisonous agent in the aerosol container 3b with the distal end side of the injection attachment 33 stabbed into the honeycomb, the poisonous agent can be reliably supplied into the honeycomb. The injection attachment 33 can be stabbed into the honeycomb by the movement of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the aerosol container 3a and the electromagnetic switching valve 3b are provided. However, these may be omitted. For example, a chemical agent may be preliminarily adhered to or impregnated in an application attachment 34 made of a pen, a brush, a cloth material, etc., and the chemical agent may be supplied to the honeycomb by bringing the application attachment 34 into contact with the honeycomb.

[0062] In addition, in order to prevent the weight balance of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 from being disrupted by the chemical agent supply unit 3, a counterweight may be appropriately provided. In the above-described embodiment, since the posture of the cylindrical member 31 can be changed by the posture changing unit 4, it is conceivable that the weight balance may be disrupted by the posture change. In this case, the position of the counterweight may be changed automatically or manually according to the posture of the cylindrical member 31.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 can be remotely operated wirelessly. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to be remotely operable by wire. In this case, a signal line (not shown) for connecting the controller and the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 may be provided.

[0064] Alternatively, the battery 29 may be omitted and power may be supplied to the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 from the ground. In this case, a power supply cable extending from the ground to the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 may be provided. Since the battery 29 can be omitted, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 can be miniaturized and lightened.

[0065] Alternatively, the chemical agent may be supplied from the ground to the unmanned aerial vehicle 2. In this case, a chemical agent supply tube extending from the ground to the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 may be provided. Since the aerosol container 3a and the electromagnetic switching valve 3b can be omitted, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 can be miniaturized and lightened.

[0066] The above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0067] As described above, according to the bee extermination device and the bee extermination method according to the present invention, it can be used when supplying a drug to a bee nest at a high place to exterminate bees.

Explanation of Signs

[0068] 1 Bee extermination device 2 Unmanned aerial vehicle 3 Drug supply unit 4 Posture change unit 24 Rotor 32 Injection attachment (injection instrument) 33 Injection attachment (injection instrument) 34 Coating attachment (coating instrument)

Claims

1. A method for eradicating a honeybee nest using an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a container containing an insecticidal agent, comprising: flying the unmanned aerial vehicle to the vicinity of the nest and then hovering the unmanned aerial vehicle; after hovering the unmanned aerial vehicle, attaching the agent to the outer surface of the nest. A method for eradicating a honeybee nest, characterized by including the above steps.

2. In the method for eradicating a honeybee nest according to Claim 1, the insecticidal component is one or more selected from resmethrin, tralomethrin, prallethrin, etofenprox, silafluofen, fipronil, imidacloprid, boric acid, hydramethylnon, lithium sulfonate, lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate, and 1-methyl-2-nitro-3,3-tetrahydrofurfuryl guanidine. A method for eradicating a honeybee nest, characterized by this.

3. In the method for eradicating a honeybee nest according to Claim 2, the agent is a poisonous bait containing the insecticidal component. A method for eradicating a honeybee nest, characterized by this.

Images