Pest control composition

Abstract

To provide a pest control composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and exhibits excellent pest knockdown performance. [Solution] A pest control composition comprising component (A): cationic surfactant, component (B): organic acid or its salt, and component (C): water, wherein the pH of the composition at 25°C is 3.5 or higher and 9.5 or lower, and the composition is used by spraying.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for pest control.

Background Art

[0002] For the control of sanitary pests that transmit various pathogens to humans and livestock such as mosquitoes and mites, agricultural pests that damage crops in fields such as thrips, aphids, and flea beetles, or transmit viruses that become pathogens of crops, or horticultural pests, many various synthetic insecticides such as pyrethroid-based, organophosphorus-based insecticides, and carbamate-based insecticides are often used.

[0003] On the other hand, pest control agents for controlling pests without relying on these synthetic insecticides are known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a composition for controlling flying pests that contains a wing wetting agent that satisfies predetermined requirements in a predetermined amount and is used by spraying as droplets having a predetermined average particle size is disclosed to have high safety to the human body and the environment and to be able to efficiently control flying pests by reducing their flying ability. In Patent Document 2, a composition for controlling flying pests that contains at least one surfactant selected from a predetermined anionic surfactant and a predetermined nonionic surfactant, at least one compound selected from organic acids and organic acid salts, and water and is used by spraying on flying pests is disclosed to have high safety to the human body and the environment and to be excellent in insecticidal properties.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the inventors have found that the pest control compositions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 still have room for improvement in that, when used by spraying indoors, it takes a long time for the sprayed material that falls onto floor surfaces such as tiles to dry. Furthermore, if pest control compositions have an unpleasant odor, it poses undesirable problems both in terms of manufacturing and in the actual use of the product. The present invention relates to providing a pest control composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and exhibits excellent pest knockdown performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The inventors have found that a pest control composition containing a cationic surfactant, an organic acid or a salt thereof, and water, having a pH within a specific range, and being used by spraying, can solve the above problems.

[0007] In other words, the present invention relates to the following. [1] A pest control composition comprising component (A): cationic surfactant, component (B): organic acid or a salt thereof, and component (C): water, wherein the pH of the composition at 25°C is 3.5 or higher and 9.5 or lower, and the composition is used by spraying. A pest control spray, comprising filling a sprayer with the pest control composition described in [2][1]. A method for controlling pests, comprising the step of spraying the pest control composition described in [3][1] and bringing the sprayed droplets into contact with pests. [4] A composition comprising component (A): cationic surfactant, component (B): organic acid or a salt thereof, and component (C): water, wherein the pH of the composition at 25°C is 3.5 or higher and 9.5 or lower, and the composition is used by spraying, for use as a pest control composition. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pest control composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and has excellent pest knockdown performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the method for evaluating the knockdown performance of mosquitoes in the example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Definition] In this specification, "pest control composition" means a composition that can prevent and reduce damage caused by pests. Pests will be described later. In this specification, "pest control" means a state in which, after applying the composition to the pest, the pest is at least unable to move (knocked down). "Movement" here includes flight. In this specification, the pest knockdown performance shall be evaluated by the knockdown rate after application of the composition to the pest. The knockdown rate can be specifically evaluated by the method described in the examples. In this specification, "fast drying of a composition" means that the drying time until the liquid portion of the composition that has fallen onto a floor surface such as tiles disappears by evaporation is short, and this can be specifically evaluated by the method described in the examples. In this specification, "low unpleasant odor of a composition" means that there is little amine odor, mainly derived from cationic surfactants. In this specification, "low drying residue of the composition" means that there is little residue and white residue after the composition has been dried, and this can be specifically evaluated by the method described in the examples.

[0011] [Pest control composition] The pest control composition of the present invention is Ingredient (A): Cationic surfactant, Ingredient (B): Organic acid or its salt, Ingredient (C): water, A pest control composition containing [a specific substance], wherein the pH of the composition at 25°C is 3.5 or higher and 9.5 or lower, and the composition is used by spraying or misting. The pest control composition of the present invention (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "composition (of the present invention)") has the above-described configuration, and thus has a fast drying rate, little unpleasant odor, and excellent pest knockdown performance.

[0012] Although the reason why the composition of the present invention exhibits the above effects is not clear, it is considered as follows. The composition of the present invention contains a cationic surfactant as component (A) which is an active ingredient for pest control. Here, the cationic moiety in component (A) has high adsorptivity to a negatively charged surface. When component (A) adsorbs to a negatively charged surface, the hydrophobic moiety in component (A) faces outward, and thus it is considered that the adsorbed surface is hydrophobized. However, the pest control composition containing component (A) has the above-described surface hydrophobization effect and further has low wettability to a tile surface or the like, so that the drying time after dropping onto a floor surface such as a tile tends to be long.

[0013] Therefore, the composition of the present invention contains, together with component (A), component (B) capable of electrostatic interaction with the cationic moiety in component (A). By coexisting component (A) and component (B) in the composition, the strength of the positive charge of component (A) is controlled so that component (A) does not lose its surfactant effect, and it is considered that the drying rate can be improved while maintaining the pest knockdown performance. Moreover, the composition of the present invention has a pH at 25°C of 3.5 or more and 9.5 or less. Component (B) can exist in a dissociated form (organic acid ion) or an acid form (organic acid) in a composition containing water, and the proportion of the acid form increases as the pH of the composition becomes lower. Therefore, when the pH of the composition is 3.5 or more, the proportion of component (B) existing in the dissociated form increases, and the charge control effect of component (A) is improved, so that the pest knockdown performance and the drying rate are considered to be further improved. On the other hand, when the pH of the composition is 9.5 or less, the amine odor derived from component (A) is reduced, and it is considered that a composition with little unpleasant odor can be obtained.

[0014] In the present invention, the "pests" mainly include insects that cause harm to humans, livestock, their living spaces, as well as agricultural crops or horticultural plants. Specific examples of pests include sanitary pests such as mosquitoes, midges, flies, wasps, fleas, cockroaches, mites, etc.; unpleasant pests such as bees, ants, stink bugs, ladybugs, spiders, earwigs, centipedes, grasshoppers, etc.; and agricultural pests such as locusts, cicadas, leafhoppers, rice borers, thrips, weevils, cucumber beetles, aphids, caterpillars, potato bugs, etc. Among these, the composition of the present invention is particularly excellent in the control effect against mosquitoes, midges, flies, wasps, fleas, cockroaches, stink bugs, thrips, weevils, cucumber beetles, and aphids. In this embodiment, the knockdown performance of the composition against pests is evaluated by the knockdown rate of mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus), but the pests targeted for control by the composition of the present invention are not limited to mosquitoes.

[0015] <Component (A): Cationic surfactant> Examples of the cationic surfactant used as component (A) include one or more selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants and amine salt type cationic surfactants.

[0016] (Quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant) Examples of the quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant include one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salts, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts, (iv) long-chain alkylamidoalkyltrimethylammonium salts, (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salts.

[0017] Of the above, the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl or long-chain alkoxy group in (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt, and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salt is preferably 8 or more, more preferably 22 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and even more preferably 16 or less, from the viewpoint of improving the drying speed when used in combination with component (B), suppressing unpleasant odors, and obtaining a composition with excellent insect knockdown performance. Furthermore, the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl or long-chain alkoxy group is preferably 8 or more and 22 or less, more preferably 8 or more and 18 or less, and even more preferably 8 or more and 16 or less. Furthermore, the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group in (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salt and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salt is preferably 7 or more, more preferably 21 or less, more preferably 17 or less, and even more preferably 15 or less, from the viewpoint of improving the drying speed by using it in combination with component (B), suppressing unpleasant odors, and obtaining a composition with excellent insect knockdown performance.

[0018] In quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants ((i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salts, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts, (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salts, (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salts), the counterions of the cationic group include alkyl sulfate ions, sulfate ions, phosphate ions, carboxylate ions (formate ions, acetate ions, propionate ions) having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and halide ions such as chloride ions and bromide ions. Among these, halide ions are preferred, and chloride ions are more preferred, from the viewpoint of ease of manufacture and availability of raw materials.

[0019] (i) Examples of long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts include long-chain alkyltrimethylammonium salts and long-chain alkylethyldimethylammonium salts, and preferably include long-chain alkyltrimethylammonium salts. Examples of long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts include octyltrimethylammonium chloride, decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, octylethyldimethylammonium chloride, decylethyldimethylammonium chloride, laurylethyldimethylammonium chloride, tetradecylethyldimethylammonium chloride, cetylethyldimethylammonium chloride, stearylethyldimethylammonium chloride, and behenylethyldimethylammonium chloride.

[0020] (ii) Examples of long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salts include decyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride, decyloxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryloxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyloxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearoxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride, and stearoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride.

[0021] (iii) Examples of dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts include dilong-chain alkyldimethylammonium salts and dilong-chain alkylethylmethylammonium salts, and preferably include dilong-chain alkyldimethylammonium salts. Examples of dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts include dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctylethylmethylammonium chloride, didecylethylmethylammonium chloride, dilaurylethylmethylammonium chloride, ditetradecylethylmethylammonium chloride, dicetylethylmethylammonium chloride, distearylethylmethylammonium chloride, and dibehenylethylmethylammonium chloride.

[0022] (iv) Examples of long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salts include desilamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauramidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, palmitamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, and stearamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride.

[0023] (v) Examples of long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts include benzalkonium chloride. A specific example is benzyl-(C12-16)alkyldimethyl chloride (SANIZOL C, manufactured by Kao Corporation).

[0024] (vi) Examples of long-chain alkylpyridinium salts include octylpyridinium chloride, decylpyridinium chloride, laurylpyridinium chloride, tridecylpyridinium chloride, tetradecylpyridinium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, and stearylpyridinium chloride.

[0025] Among the above, from the viewpoint of improving drying speed by using it in combination with component (B), from the viewpoint of suppressing unpleasant odors, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition with excellent insect knockdown performance, the quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salt, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt, more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt, even more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt, and even more preferably comprises octyltrimethylammonium It contains one or more selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride, and more preferably octyltrimethylammonium chloride, decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride,It contains one or more selected from the group consisting of dicetyldimethylammonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride, and more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of octyltrimethylammonium chloride, decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride.

[0026] (Amine salt type cationic surfactant) Examples of amine salt type cationic surfactants include one or more selected from the group consisting of (vii) long-chain alkyldimethylamines and their salts, (viii) long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamines and their salts, (ix) long-chain alkylamide alkyldimethylamines and their salts, (x) diethanolamine monofatty acid esters and their salts, (xi) triethanolamine monofatty acid esters and their salts, and (xii) triethanolamine difatty acid esters and their salts.

[0027] Of the above, (vii) the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group in long-chain alkyldimethylamine and its salts, (viii) the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkoxy group in long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamine and its salts, and (x) the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid in diethanolamine monofatty acid ester and its salts, (xi) triethanolamine monofatty acid ester and its salts, and (xii) triethanolamine difatty acid ester and its salts are preferably 8 or more, more preferably 10 or more, and also preferably 22 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and even more preferably 16 or less, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and has excellent pest knockdown performance. Furthermore, the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group, long-chain alkoxy group, or fatty acid is preferably 8 or more and 22 or less, more preferably 8 or more and 18 or less, and even more preferably 10 or more and 16 or less. Furthermore, the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group in (ix) long-chain alkylamide alkyldimethylamine and its salts is preferably 7 or more, more preferably 9 or more, and also preferably 21 or less, more preferably 17 or less, and even more preferably 15 or less, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and has excellent insect knockdown performance.

[0028] In amine salt-type cationic surfactants, long-chain alkyldimethylamines, long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamines, long-chain alkylamide alkyldimethylamines, diethanolamine monofatty acid esters, triethanolamine monofatty acid esters, and triethanolamine difatty acid esters may be reacted with an acid beforehand to form salts and then incorporated into the composition, or they may be incorporated directly into the composition, and then an acid may be added to the composition to form salts within the composition. Therefore, the above amines, esters, and their salts are defined here as cationic surfactants. Furthermore, their content is calculated by the mass of the above amines or esters. Salts of long-chain alkyldimethylamines, long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamines, long-chain alkylamide alkyldimethylamines, diethanolamine monofatty acid esters, triethanolamine monofatty acid esters, and triethanolamine difatty acid esters include salts with organic or inorganic acids. Examples of organic acids include those exemplified in component (B) described later. Examples of inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid. Among the above, the salt in the amine salt type cationic surfactant is preferably an organic acid salt.

[0029] (vii) Examples of long-chain alkyldimethylamines and their salts include N,N-dimethyloctylamine, N,N-dimethyldecylamine, N,N-dimethyllaurylamine, N,N-dimethyltetradecylamine, N,N-dimethylhexadecylamine, N,N-dimethylstearylamine, N,N-dimethylbehenylamine, and their organic salts.

[0030] (viii) Examples of long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamines and their salts include N,N-dimethyl-3-decyloxypropylamine, N,N-dimethyl-3-lauryloxypropylamine, N,N-dimethyl-3-tetradecyloxypropylamine, N,N-dimethyl-3-hexadecyloxypropylamine, N,N-dimethyl-3-octadecyloxypropylamine, and their organic salts.

[0031] (ix) Examples of long-chain alkylamides, alkyldimethylamines and their salts include N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]octylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]decylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]lauramide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]palmitamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]stearamide, and their organic salts.

[0032] (x) Examples of diethanolamine monofatty acid esters and their salts include diethanolamine monolaurate, diethanolamine monomyristate, diethanolamine monopalmitate, diethanolamine monostearate, and their organic salts.

[0033] (xi) Examples of triethanolamine monofatty acid esters and their salts include triethanolamine monolaurate, triethanolamine monomyristate, triethanolamine monopalmitate, triethanolamine monostearate, and their organic salts.

[0034] (xii) Examples of triethanolamine difatty acid esters and their salts include triethanolamine dilaurate, triethanolamine dimyristate, triethanolamine dipalmitate, triethanolamine distearate, and their organic salts.

[0035] Among the above, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries faster, has less unpleasant odor, and has excellent insect knockdown performance, the amine salt type cationic surfactant preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (ix) long-chain alkyldimethylamine and its salts, (viii) long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamine and its salts, and (ix) long-chain alkylamide alkyldimethylamine and its salts, more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (vii) long-chain alkyldimethylamine and its salts, and (viii) long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamine and its salts, and even more preferably It contains one or more selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyloctylamine, N,N-dimethyldecylamine, N,N-dimethyllaurylamine, N,N-dimethyltetradecylamine, N,N-dimethylhexadecylamine, N,N-dimethylstearylamine, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]octylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]decylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]lauramide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]palmitamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]stearamide, and their organic salts.

[0036] Among the above, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries faster, has less unpleasant odor, and has excellent insect knockdown performance, the cationic surfactant used as component (A) preferably includes a quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant, more preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salt, (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt, and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salt, even more preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salt, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt, and even more preferably includes (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (i ii) comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, more preferably comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, more preferably comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride, more preferably comprising decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride,It contains one or more selected from the group consisting of tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride, and more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride.

[0037] <Component (B): Organic acid or its salt> The organic acid in component (B) is preferably a carboxylic acid, more preferably a carboxylic acid having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, even more preferably a carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and even more preferably a carboxylic acid having 5 to 7 carbon atoms. The number of carboxyl groups in the carboxylic acid is preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 4, even more preferably 1 to 3, even more preferably 1 to 2, and even more preferably 1. Furthermore, the pKa1 of the organic acid in component (B) at 25°C is preferably 1 to 7, more preferably 1.5 to 6.5, even more preferably 2 to 6, even more preferably 2.5 to 6, even more preferably 3 to 6, even more preferably 3.5 to 5.5, and even more preferably 4 to 5. Note that pKa1 at 25°C is the reciprocal value of the logarithm of the acid dissociation constant (for example, "Basic Chemical Handbook, Revised 2nd Edition," page 993, Maruzen Co., Ltd., 6th printing, September 20, 1981; "Basic Chemical Handbook, Revised 4th Edition," page 317, Maruzen Co., Ltd., September 30, 1993, etc.), and refers to the value measured in an aqueous solution at 25°C.

[0038] Specific examples of the above organic acids include linear aliphatic monocarboxylic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and sorbic acid; linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, and maleic acid; hydroxycarboxylic acids such as lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, gluconic acid, and citric acid; aromatic carboxylic acids such as benzoic acid; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; and others. One or more of these can be used. Among the above, the organic acid in component (B) preferably includes a carboxylic acid having a carboxyl group but not a hydroxyl group, more preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of linear aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic carboxylic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, even more preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, sorbic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, even more preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, maleic acid, benzoic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and even more preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid and benzoic acid.

[0039] The organic acid salt used as component (B) preferably includes an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, and more preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium salts and potassium salts of organic acids, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that improves drying speed when used in combination with component (A), suppresses unpleasant odors, and has excellent pest knockdown performance. The organic acid salt used as component (B) preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium maleate, potassium maleate, tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, tetrapotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, sodium benzoate, and potassium benzoate, and more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and potassium benzoate.

[0040] Component (B) preferably contains an organic acid salt, more preferably an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium salts and potassium salts of organic acids, even more preferably one or more sodium or potassium salts of organic acids selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, maleic acid, benzoic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium maleate, potassium maleate, tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tetrapotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate, and even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate.

[0041] <Ingredient (C): Water> The composition of the present invention further contains water. There are no particular restrictions on the water used in the present invention; for example, ion-exchanged water, pure water, purified water, distilled water, etc., can be used.

[0042] <Content> The content of components (A) to (C) in the composition of the present invention is preferably as follows, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and has excellent insect knockdown performance, and further from the viewpoint of leaving little residue on the floor after drying. From the viewpoint of obtaining a composition with excellent pest knockdown performance, the content of component (A) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.03% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.04% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.12% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.15% by mass or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly and has little unpleasant odor, it is preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.8% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.6% by mass or less. Furthermore, the content of component (A) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.03% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.04% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.12% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.15% by mass or more and 0.6% by mass or less.

[0043] From the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly and has little unpleasant odor, the content of component (B) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.03% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.04% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.12% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.15% by mass or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition with excellent pest knockdown performance and little residue left on the floor after drying, it is preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 8% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.8% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.5% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.3% by mass or less. Furthermore, the content of component (B) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 8% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.03% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.04% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.12% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.15% by mass or more and 0.3% by mass or less.

[0044] The mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) in the pest control composition [(A) / (B)] is preferably 0.05 or higher, more preferably 0.06 or higher, more preferably 0.1 or higher, more preferably 0.2 or higher, even more preferably 0.4 or higher, even more preferably 0.5 or higher, even more preferably 0.6 or higher, and even more preferably 0.8 or higher, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition with excellent pest knockdown performance and less residue on the floor after drying. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly and has little unpleasant odor, it is preferably 20 or lower, more preferably 15 or lower, even more preferably 12 or lower, even more preferably 10 or lower, even more preferably 5 or lower, even more preferably 3 or lower, even more preferably 2 or lower, even more preferably 1.5 or lower, and even more preferably 1.2 or lower. Furthermore, the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) in the pest control composition [(A) / (B)] is preferably 0.05 to 20, more preferably 0.06 to 20, more preferably 0.1 to 20, more preferably 0.2 to 15, even more preferably 0.4 to 12, even more preferably 0.5 to 10, even more preferably 0.6 to 5, even more preferably 0.8 to 3, even more preferably 0.8 to 2, even more preferably 0.8 to 1.5, and even more preferably 0.8 to 1.2.

[0045] The total content of component (A) and component (B) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.02% by mass or more, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.2% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.85% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of improving the pest knockdown performance of the composition. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and has excellent pest knockdown performance, and from the viewpoint of leaving little residue on the floor after drying, it is preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 8% by mass or less, even more preferably 6% by mass or less, even more preferably 5% by mass or less, even more preferably 4% by mass or less, even more preferably 2% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1.5% by mass or less. Furthermore, the total content of component (A) and component (B) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 8% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 6% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.85% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.85% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less.

[0046] The water content of component (C) in the pest control composition of the present invention is preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 60% by mass or more, even more preferably 70% by mass or more, even more preferably 80% by mass or more, even more preferably 85% by mass or more, even more preferably 90% by mass or more, even more preferably 95% by mass or more, even more preferably 98% by mass or more, preferably 99.98% by mass or less, more preferably 99.9% by mass or less, even more preferably 99.8% by mass or less, and even more preferably 99.6% by mass or less. In this invention, the water content refers to the total water content in the composition, including not only purified water directly added to the composition, but also the water contained in each of the added components. The water content can be calculated from the amount of water added and the amount of water in the added components, but it can also be measured using a Karl Fischer moisture meter, for example.

[0047] The total content of components (A) to (C) in the pest control composition is preferably 70% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, even more preferably 90% by mass or more, even more preferably 95% by mass or more, and even more preferably 98% by mass or more, and 100% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and has excellent pest knockdown performance.

[0048] The mass ratio of the total amount of components (A) and (B) to component (C) in the pest control composition [{(A)+(B)} / (C)] is preferably 0.0002 or higher, more preferably 0.0005 or higher, more preferably 0.001 or higher, more preferably 0.002 or higher, more preferably 0.003 or higher, and more preferably 0.008 or higher, from the viewpoint of further improving the drying speed of the composition and the pest knockdown performance. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of minimizing residue on the floor after drying, it is preferably 0.2 or lower, more preferably 0.17 or lower, more preferably 0.15 or lower, more preferably 0.13 or lower, more preferably 0.1 or lower, more preferably 0.09 or lower, more preferably 0.07 or lower, more preferably 0.05 or lower, more preferably 0.04 or lower, more preferably 0.02 or lower, and more preferably 0.015 or lower.

[0049] <Ingredient (D): Nonionic surfactant> The composition of the present invention preferably further contains a nonionic surfactant as component (D). By containing component (D) in the composition of the present invention, the drying speed and pest knockdown performance of the composition can be further enhanced.

[0050] Examples of nonionic surfactants used as component (D) include one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, alkyl glucosides, alkyl glyceryl ethers, polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene modified silicones. Among the above, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries faster, has less unpleasant odor, and has excellent insect knockdown performance, component (D) preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers and alkyl glyceryl ethers.

[0051] (Polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether) The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group in the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is preferably 8 to 22, more preferably 8 to 18, even more preferably 8 to 16, even more preferably 8 to 14, and even more preferably 8 to 12. The alkyl group may be either a linear alkyl group or a branched alkyl group, but a linear alkyl group is preferred.

[0052] The oxyalkylene in the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of oxyethylene and oxypropylene, and more preferably comprises oxyethylene. That is, the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, poly(oxyethylene / oxypropylene) alkyl ether, and polyoxypropylene alkyl ether, more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and poly(oxyethylene / oxypropylene) alkyl ether, and even more preferably comprises polyoxyethylene alkyl ether.

[0053] Furthermore, the average number of moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added to the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 3 or more, even more preferably 5 or more, and also preferably 40 or less, more preferably 30 or less, even more preferably 20 or less, and even more preferably 15 or less, from the viewpoint of further improving the drying speed of the composition and the pest knockdown performance.

[0054] Specific examples of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers include polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, in which the average number of added moles of ethylene oxide (EO) is preferably 2 to 40, more preferably 3 to 30, even more preferably 5 to 20, and even more preferably 5 to 15.

[0055] (Alkylglyceryl ether) The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group of the alkylglyceryl ether used as component (D) is preferably 8 to 22, more preferably 8 to 18, even more preferably 8 to 16, even more preferably 8 to 14, and even more preferably 8 to 12. The alkyl group may be a linear alkyl group or a branched alkyl group, but a branched alkyl group is preferred from the viewpoint of further improving the drying speed of the composition and the insect knockdown performance. Specific examples of alkylglyceryl ethers include one or more selected from the group consisting of octylglyceryl ether, 2-ethylhexylglyceryl ether, nonylglyceryl ether, decylglyceryl ether, isodecylglyceryl ether, laurylglyceryl ether, tridecylglyceryl ether, myristylglyceryl ether, stearylglyceryl ether, and isostearylglyceryl ether. Among these, alkylglyceryl ethers preferably include one or more selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexylglyceryl ether, decylglyceryl ether, isodecylglyceryl ether, and laurylglyceryl ether, more preferably include one or more selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexylglyceryl ether and isodecylglyceryl ether, and even more preferably include isodecylglyceryl ether.

[0056] Component (D) more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, poly(oxyethylene / oxypropylene) alkyl ether, polyoxypropylene alkyl ether, and alkyl glyceryl ether, and even more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, poly(oxyethylene / oxypropylene) alkyl ether, and alkyl glyceryl ether, and still more preferably comprises polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, and still more preferably comprises polyoxyethylene lauryl ether having an average number of added moles of ethylene oxide (EO) preferably between 2 and 40, more preferably between 3 and 30, even more preferably between 5 and 20, and still still more preferably between 5 and 15.

[0057] When the pest control composition of the present invention contains component (D): a nonionic surfactant, the content of component (D) in the composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of further improving the drying speed of the composition and the pest knockdown performance. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the stability of the composition and reducing the amount of drying residue, the content is preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 1.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.8% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.6% by mass or less. Furthermore, the content of component (D) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.6% by mass or less.

[0058] When the pest control composition of the present invention contains component (D): a nonionic surfactant, the mass ratio of component (D) to component (A) in the composition [(D) / (A)] is preferably 0.1 or higher, more preferably 0.2 or higher, even more preferably 0.4 or higher, even more preferably 0.5 or higher, and even more preferably 0.8 or higher, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly and has little unpleasant odor, and from the viewpoint of improving the stability of the composition. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the pest knockdown performance, it is preferably 10 or lower, even more preferably 5 or lower, and even more preferably 3 or lower. The mass ratio of component (D) to component (A) in the composition [(D) / (A)] is preferably 0.1 or higher and 10 or lower, more preferably 0.2 or higher and 5 or lower, even more preferably 0.4 or higher and 3 or lower, even more preferably 0.5 or higher and 3 or lower, and even more preferably 0.8 or higher and 3 or lower.

[0059] When the pest control composition of the present invention contains component (D): a nonionic surfactant, the total content of component (A) and component (D) in the composition is preferably 0.02% by mass or more, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.2% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.4% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the pest knockdown performance of the composition. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition that dries quickly and has little unpleasant odor, it is preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, even more preferably 5% by mass or less, even more preferably 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 1.5% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1.2% by mass or less. Furthermore, the total content of component (A) and component (D) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.4% by mass or more and 1.2% by mass or less.

[0060] When the pest control composition of the present invention contains component (D): a nonionic surfactant, the mass ratio of the total amount of component (A) and component (D) to component (C) in the composition [{(A)+(D)} / (C)] is preferably 0.0002 or more, more preferably 0.0005 or more, more preferably 0.001 or more, more preferably 0.002 or more, more preferably 0.003 or more, more preferably 0.008 or more, and from the viewpoint of further improving the drying speed of the composition and the pest knockdown performance, it is preferably 0.3 or less, more preferably 0.25 or less, more preferably 0.2 or less, preferably 0.17 or less, more preferably 0.15 or less, more preferably 0.13 or less, more preferably 0.1 or less, more preferably 0.09 or less, more preferably 0.07 or less, more preferably 0.05 or less, more preferably 0.04 or less, more preferably 0.02 or less, and more preferably 0.015 or less.

[0061] <Ingredient (E): Fragrance> The composition of the present invention may further contain a fragrance as component (E). Component (E) may include amyl butyrate, isoeugenol, isopulegol, isomentone, ethyl vanillin, eugenol, eugenol acetate, ocimene, capric acid, caryophyllene, carvacrol, carvone, camphor, camphene, cinnamic acid, ethyl cinnamate, geraniol, geranyl acetate, germacrene, methyl salicylate, citral, citronellal, citronellol, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), dirapiol, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl aldehyde, cymene, cedrene, cedrol, and ta -One or more substances selected from the group consisting of melon, thymol, thujopsene, tetrahydrolinalool, terpineol, terpinen-4-ol, terpinene, butyl lactate, nepetalactone, neral, nerol, vanillin, pinene, piperonal, piperonyl alcohol, phenandrene, 2-phenylethylpropionate, pulegone, heliotropin, verbenone, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, bornyl acetate, myrcene, p-menthane-3,8-diol, menthol, menthone, linalool, and limonene.

[0062] When the pest control composition of the present invention contains component (E): fragrance, the content of component (E) in the composition is preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.005% by mass or more, even more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, and also preferably 3% by mass or less, more preferably 2% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1% by mass or less. Furthermore, the content of component (E) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.001% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, more preferably 0.005% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less.

[0063] <Other ingredients> The composition of the present invention may also contain surfactants, thickeners, preservatives, colorants, solvents, pH adjusters, etc., other than the aforementioned components, to the extent that they do not impair the effects of the invention.

[0064] <Anionic surfactants> In the composition of the present invention, it is preferable to have a low content of anionic surfactant, from the viewpoint of avoiding a decrease in pest knockdown performance derived from component (A) due to the cancellation of the positive charge of component (A): cationic surfactant. The content of the anionic surfactant in the composition of the present invention is specifically less than 1% by mass, preferably 0.1% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.001% by mass or less, and even more preferably substantially 0% by mass.

[0065] <Insecticide ingredients> From the viewpoint of safety for humans and the environment, the composition of the present invention preferably contains a low amount of insecticidal components. This is because the composition of the present invention uses component (A) as the active ingredient for controlling pests, and it is possible to create a composition with high pest knockdown performance even without containing known insecticidal components. Examples of the insecticidal component include known insecticidal components other than surfactants, acaricidal components, etc.

[0066] Examples of insecticidal components mentioned here include pyrethroid insecticides, organophosphate insecticides, and carbamate insecticides. Examples of pyrethroid insecticides include metofluthrin, dl,d-T80-allethrin, phthalthrin, d-T80-phthalthrin, d,d-T80-prallethrin, d,d-T98-prallethrin, d-T80-resmethrin, transfluthrin, imiprothrin, cyphenothrin, d,dT-cyphenothrin, empenthrin, permethrin, phenothrin, etofenprox, and pyrethrin. Other insecticidal components besides pyrethroid insecticides include, for example, organophosphate insecticides such as fenitrothion and malathion, carbamate insecticides such as propoxur and carbaryl, acaricides such as kelthane, quinomethionate and hexathiazox, and neonicotinoid insecticides such as imidacloprid, dinotefuran and clothiadinine.

[0067] The content of the insecticidal component in the composition of the present invention is specifically less than 1% by mass, preferably 0.1% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.001% by mass or less, and even more preferably substantially 0% by mass.

[0068] <Volatile organic solvent> From the viewpoint of further enhancing the pest knockdown performance, the composition of the present invention preferably contains a low amount of one or more volatile organic solvents selected from the group consisting of ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether. The content of volatile organic solvents in the composition of the present invention is specifically less than 20% by mass, preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, even more preferably 7% by mass or less, even more preferably 4% by mass or less, even more preferably 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or less, and even more preferably substantially 0% by mass. In the present invention, a volatile organic solvent refers to an organic solvent having a boiling point of 250°C or less at atmospheric pressure (e.g., 1013.25 hPa).

[0069] <ph> The pH of the pest control composition at 25°C is preferably 3.5 or higher, more preferably 4 or higher, more preferably 4.5 or higher, even more preferably 5 or higher, even more preferably 5.5 or higher, even more preferably 6 or higher, and even more preferably 6.5 or higher, from the viewpoint of obtaining a composition with less unpleasant odor, the pH is 9.5 or lower, more preferably 9 or lower, more preferably 8.5 or lower, even more preferably 8.2 or lower, even more preferably 8 or lower, even more preferably 7.8 or lower, and even more preferably 7.5 or lower. Furthermore, the pH of the pest control composition at 25°C is 3.5 or higher and 9.5 or lower, more preferably 4 or higher and 9 or lower, more preferably 4.5 or higher and 9 or lower, even more preferably 5 or higher and 8.5 or lower, even more preferably 5.5 or higher and 8.2 or lower, even more preferably 6 or higher and 8 or lower, even more preferably 6 or higher and 7.8 or lower, and even more preferably 6.5 or higher and 7.5 or lower. The pH of the pest control composition at 25°C can be measured specifically by the method described in the examples.

[0070] <Manufacturing method> The method for producing the pest control composition is not particularly limited. For example, it can be produced by blending components (A) to (C), as well as components (D) and (E) as needed, and other components, and mixing them using a known stirring device or the like.

[0071] <Dosage form, usage> The composition of the present invention is used by spraying, and spraying includes dispensing. From this viewpoint, a preferred dosage form of the composition of the present invention is a formulation that is liquid at 25°C. The composition of the present invention is preferably filled into a container provided in a sprayer and used by spraying the liquid composition in droplets or mist form.

[0072] [Pest control spray] The present invention provides a pest control spray, which is obtained by filling the containment of a sprayer with the aforementioned pest control composition. The containment of the sprayer may be, for example, a container or tank to which the sprayer is attached. <Sprayer> The sprayer used for pest control sprays is not particularly limited as long as it has a container for filling with the aforementioned liquid formulation and is capable of spraying it in the form of droplets or mist. The droplets or mist may contain foam (foam particles). Examples of sprayers include aerosol sprayers filled with a propellant such as compressed gas, and atmospheric pressure sprayers that do not require a propellant. However, from the viewpoint of improving pest knockdown performance, an atmospheric pressure sprayer equipped with an extrusion structure such as a squeeze, piston, or pump, and which does not use a propellant such as compressed gas, is preferred. As for atmospheric pressure sprayers, from the viewpoint of improving pest knockdown performance, sprayers with an extrusion structure are preferred, more preferably trigger sprayers, and even more preferably pressurized trigger sprayers. Pressurized sprayers generally have a structure in which a piston slides against a cylinder attached inside a container which is the housing, thereby ejecting liquid from a nozzle when the pressure in the cylinder exceeds a certain level. That is, the liquid is ejected from the sprayer only when the liquid pressure inside the cylinder exceeds a certain level, so that the ejected droplets are pressurized and sprayed with a particle size of appropriate size. Note that the cylinder and pump are not limited to those attached inside the housing, and may be outside the housing as long as there is a flow path for the liquid formulation from the housing, and it is sufficient that there is a flow path for the liquid formulation in the extrusion mechanism. As an example of a pressurized trigger sprayer, the sprayer described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-226474 can be cited. The capacity of the sprayer's container, such as a container or tank, is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of spraying towards the target object, it is preferably, for example, 30 mL or more and 2 L or less, and more preferably 50 mL or more and 500 mL or less.

[0073] Furthermore, the pest control composition of the present invention may be used by spraying it using a relatively large spraying device in addition to a handheld sprayer. The spraying device can be any device capable of ejecting the composition, which is a liquid formulation, in the form of droplets or mist, and includes spraying devices. The spraying device preferably comprises a tank for containing the composition (liquid formulation) of the present invention, a spray mechanism for spraying the composition, and a discharge port for ejecting the composition. The spray mechanism has a flow path communicating with the composition (liquid formulation) contained in the tank, and the composition sent from the flow path is pressurized by a piston or the like and sent through a narrowed opening or flow path to the discharge opening, thereby being ejected in the form of droplets or mist. The discharge port may be part of the spray mechanism, or it may be a separate structure as long as it is in communication with the spray mechanism. The composition pumping structure used as a spray mechanism can be a compression type, which uses a propellant such as compressed gas, or an atmospheric pressure type, which is represented by an extrusion structure that pumps the composition using a piston (including a plunger) or a pump. From the viewpoint of improving pest knockdown performance, the atmospheric pressure type is preferred. Among atmospheric pressure types, a pressurized type is more preferred from the viewpoint of making the spray particles finer, in which a certain amount of the pumped composition is stored before the discharge port.

[0074] Examples of spraying devices include handheld types with a handle that can be held by hand, and small, mobile types such as drones. In both cases, it is preferable that the discharge flow path just before the opening at the discharge port is directed toward the pests. The discharge port is preferably equipped with a cylindrical discharge channel, and the inner diameter of the discharge channel is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less, more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The discharge volume, as the discharge volume per spraying operation, is preferably 0.2 g / spray or more, more preferably 0.5 g / spray or more, even more preferably 0.7 g / spray or more, preferably 2 g / spray or less, more preferably 1.5 g / spray or less, and even more preferably 1.2 g / spray or less.

[0075] Examples of handheld sprayers or spraying devices include trigger sprayers and push-type sprayers, in which spraying is performed by pulling a trigger or pressing a push button. A handheld sprayer performs one spray by pulling the trigger in the case of a trigger sprayer, or by pressing the push button in the case of a push-type sprayer. From the viewpoint of using a handheld sprayer held in the hand, it is preferable that the handheld sprayer is of the trigger sprayer or push-type, and from the viewpoint of ease of one spray operation and repetition, it is preferable that it is of the trigger sprayer. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of dispensing while held in the hand, it is preferable that the discharge port of the handheld sprayer is located on the side when held in the hand, and that the discharge flow path is formed facing laterally.

[0076] For small, mobile spraying devices such as drones, the discharge port may open and spray during flight when a switch is turned on, or it may be equipped with various known spraying mechanisms. Small, mobile spraying devices may be mounted on small airplanes as well as other means of transport such as drones. From the viewpoint of spraying towards an object during flight, it is preferable that the discharge port opening of the small, mobile spraying device is located on the downward side.

[0077] In a spraying device, the tank containing the composition is typically made of plastic, and in a handheld spraying device, a tube such as a dip tube is inserted into the tank to deliver the composition to the spraying mechanism. When the trigger is pulled or the push button is pressed, the composition in the cylinder area of ​​the piston or plunger is pressurized and sprayed to the outlet, and as the pulled trigger or push button is released, the cylinder area expands and the composition is drawn from the container or tank into the cylinder via the tube. The diameter of the discharge port of the spraying device is preferably 0.1 mm or larger, more preferably 0.2 mm or larger, and even more preferably 0.3 mm or larger, from the viewpoint of ensuring that the composition travels in a straight line without scattering up, down, left, or right, and efficiently reaches the pests. Similarly, it is preferably 1.5 mm or smaller, more preferably 1.2 mm or smaller, and even more preferably 1 mm or smaller. Note that "discharge port diameter of the spraying device" refers to the maximum diameter of the inner diameter at the tip of the discharge nozzle of the spraying device. The shape of the discharge port is not particularly limited, but a circular or elliptical shape is preferred.

[0078] [Pest control methods] The present invention further provides a method for controlling pests (hereinafter also referred to as "the method of the present invention") which includes the step of spraying the pest control composition of the present invention and bringing the sprayed droplets into contact with pests. The pest control method of the present invention preferably includes the steps of ejecting the pest control composition of the present invention from the discharge port of the sprayer or spraying device (more preferably the step of spraying the composition toward the pests), and bringing the spray droplets of the ejected composition into contact with the pests at a distance from the discharge port of the sprayer or spraying device. A method for bringing the spray droplets of the composition of the present invention into contact with pests includes spraying the composition of the present invention onto pests, or onto a space or object where pests are present. For example, this method involves filling the containment section of a sprayer or spraying device with the pest control composition, and then spraying the composition by directing the discharge port of the sprayer or spraying device towards the object.

[0079] From the viewpoint of efficiently eliminating pests by delivering a sufficient amount of spray droplets to knock down the pests using a sprayer or spraying device, the discharge amount per spray operation is preferably 0.2 g / spray or more, more preferably 0.5 g / spray or more, and even more preferably 0.7 g / spray or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of suppressing stickiness and sliminess during use, the discharge amount is preferably 2 g / spray or less, more preferably 1.5 g / spray or less, and even more preferably 1.2 g / spray or less. The spraying time of the composition varies depending on the number of pests and the purpose of spraying, but from the viewpoint of bringing some of the spray droplets of the composition into contact with the pests, it is preferably 1 to 60 seconds, more preferably 5 to 55 seconds, even more preferably 10 to 50 seconds, even more preferably 15 to 45 seconds, even more preferably 20 to 40 seconds, and even more preferably 25 to 35 seconds. The average particle size of the spray droplets of the composition is preferably 50-700 μm, more preferably 75-675 μm, even more preferably 100-650 μm, even more preferably 150-625 μm, even more preferably 175-600 μm, even more preferably 200-575 μm, even more preferably 225-550 μm, even more preferably 250-525 μm, even more preferably 275-500 μm, even more preferably 300-475 μm, even more preferably 325-450 μm, even more preferably 350-425 μm, and even more preferably 375-400 μm.

[0080] With regard to the embodiments described above, the present invention further discloses the following embodiments. <1> Ingredient (A): Cationic surfactant, Ingredient (B): Organic acid or its salt, Ingredient (C): water, A pest control composition containing, A pest control composition having a pH of 3.5 or higher and 9.5 or lower at 25°C, which is used by spraying. <2> The aforementioned pests include one or more species selected from the group consisting of mosquitoes, black flies, flies, horseflies, midges, cockroaches, mites, bees, ants, stink bugs, pill bugs, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, house centipedes, grasshoppers, locusts, planthoppers, moths, thrips, scale insects, cucumber beetles, aphids, caterpillars and grubs, preferably one or more species selected from the group consisting of mosquitoes, black flies, flies, horseflies, midges, cockroaches, stink bugs, thrips, scale insects, cucumber beetles and aphids. <1> A composition for controlling pests. <3> The aforementioned component (A) includes one or more selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants and amine salt type cationic surfactants. <1> or <2> A composition for controlling pests. <4> The quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salts, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts, (iv) long-chain alkylamidealkyltrimethylammonium salts, (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salts. <3> A composition for controlling pests. <5> The number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group or long-chain alkoxy group in the (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt, and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salt is preferably 8 or more, preferably 22 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and even more preferably 16 or less. <4> A composition for controlling pests. <6> The number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group in (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salt and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salt is preferably 7 or more, preferably 21 or less, more preferably 17 or less, and even more preferably 15 or less. <4> A composition for controlling pests. <7> The quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salts, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts, (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salts, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, more preferably comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salts, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, even more preferably comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, and even more preferably comprising octyltrimethylammonium chloride, decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, It contains one or more selected from the group consisting of tyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride, and more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of octyltrimethylammonium chloride, decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride, and more preferably octyltrimethylammonium chloride,It contains one or more selected from the group consisting of decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride. <3> ~ <6> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following: <8> The amine salt type cationic surfactant comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (vii) long-chain alkyldimethylamine and its salts, (viii) long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamine and its salts, (ix) long-chain alkylamide alkyldimethylamine and its salts, (x) diethanolamine monofatty acid ester and its salts, (xi) triethanolamine monofatty acid ester and its salts, and (xii) triethanolamine difatty acid ester and its salts. <3> ~ <7> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <9> The number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group in (vii) long-chain alkyldimethylamine and its salt, the number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkoxy group in (viii) long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamine and its salt, and the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid in (x) diethanolamine monofatty acid ester and its salt, (xi) triethanolamine monofatty acid ester and its salt, and (xii) triethanolamine difatty acid ester and its salt are preferably 8 or more, more preferably 10 or more, and also preferably 22 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and even more preferably 16 or less. <8> A composition for controlling pests. <10> The number of carbon atoms in the long-chain alkyl group in (ix) long-chain alkylamide alkyldimethylamine and its salt is preferably 7 or more, more preferably 9 or more, and also preferably 21 or less, more preferably 17 or less, and even more preferably 15 or less. <8> A composition for controlling pests.

[0081] <11> The amine salt type cationic surfactant preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (ix) long-chain alkyldimethylamine and its salts, (viii) long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamine and its salts, and (ix) long-chain alkylamide alkyldimethylamine and its salts; more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of (vii) long-chain alkyldimethylamine and its salts, and (viii) long-chain alkoxyalkyldimethylamine and its salts; and even more preferably N,N-dimethyloctylamine, N,N-dimethyl It contains one or more selected from the group consisting of decylamine, N,N-dimethyllaurylamine, N,N-dimethyltetradecylamine, N,N-dimethylhexadecylamine, N,N-dimethylstearylamine, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]octylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]decylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]lauramide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]palmitamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]stearamide, and organic salts thereof. <3> ~ <10> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <12> The component (A) preferably comprises a quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant, more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salt, (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt, and (vi) long-chain alkylpyridinium salt, even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salt, (ii) long-chain alkoxyalkyltrimethylammonium salt, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salt, (iv) long-chain alkylamide alkyltrimethylammonium salt, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salt. The above are included, and more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of (i) long-chain alkyltrialkylammonium salts, (iii) dilong-chain alkyldialkylammonium salts, and (v) long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, and more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride, and more preferably decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride,It comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, ditetradecyldimethylammonium chloride, dicetyldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride, and more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of decyltrimethylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dilauryldimethylammonium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride. <1> ~ <11> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following: <13> The organic acid in component (B) preferably comprises a carboxylic acid, more preferably a carboxylic acid having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, even more preferably a carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and even more preferably a carbone having 5 to 7 carbon atoms. <1> ~ <12> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <14> The number of carboxyl groups in the carboxylic acid is preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 4, even more preferably 1 to 3, even more preferably 1 to 2, and even more preferably 1. <13> A composition for controlling pests. <15> The organic acid in component (B) preferably comprises a carboxylic acid having a carboxyl group but no hydroxyl group, more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of linear aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic carboxylic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, sorbic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, maleic acid, benzoic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid and benzoic acid. <1> ~ <14> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <16> The organic acid salt in component (B) preferably comprises an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, and more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium salts and potassium salts of organic acids. <1> ~ <15> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <17> The organic acid salt used as component (B) preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium maleate, potassium maleate, tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, tetrapotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, sodium benzoate, and potassium benzoate, and more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and potassium benzoate. <1> ~ <16> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <18> The above component (B) preferably comprises an organic acid salt, more preferably an alkali metal salt of an organic acid, even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium salts and potassium salts of organic acids, even more preferably one or more sodium or potassium salts of organic acids selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, benzoic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tetrapotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate, and even more preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate. <1> ~ <17> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <19> The content of component (A) in the aforementioned pest control composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.03% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.04% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.12% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.15% by mass or more and 0.6% by mass or less. <1> ~ <18> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <20> The content of component (B) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 8% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.03% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.04% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.12% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.15% by mass or more and 0.3% by mass or less. <1> ~ <19> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following.

[0082] <21> The mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) in the pest control composition [(A) / (B)] is preferably 0.05 to 20, more preferably 0.06 to 20, more preferably 0.1 to 20, more preferably 0.2 to 15, even more preferably 0.4 to 12, even more preferably 0.5 to 10, even more preferably 0.6 to 5, even more preferably 0.8 to 3, even more preferably 0.8 to 2, even more preferably 0.8 to 1.5, and even more preferably 0.8 to 1.2. <1> ~ <20> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <22> The total content of component (A) and component (B) in the pest control composition is preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 8% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 6% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.85% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.85% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less. <1> ~ <21> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <23> The content of component (C) in the pest control composition is preferably 50% by mass or more and 99.98% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or more and 99.98% by mass or less, even more preferably 70% by mass or more and 99.98% by mass or less, even more preferably 80% by mass or more and 99.9% by mass or less, even more preferably 85% by mass or more and 99.9% by mass or less, even more preferably 90% by mass or more and 99.8% by mass or less, even more preferably 95% by mass or more and 99.8% by mass or less, and even more preferably 98% by mass or more and 99.6% by mass or less. <1> ~ <22> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <24> The total content of components (A) to (C) in the aforementioned pest control composition is preferably 70% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, even more preferably 90% by mass or more, even more preferably 95% by mass or more, even more preferably 98% by mass or more, and 100% by mass or less. <1> ~ <23> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <25> The mass ratio of the total amount of component (A) and component (B) to component (C) in the aforementioned pest control composition [{(A)+(B)} / (C)] is preferably 0.0002 or more and 0.2 or less, preferably 0.0002 or more and 0.17 or less, more preferably 0.0005 or more and 0.15 or less, more preferably 0.0005 or more and 0.13 or less, more preferably 0.001 or more and 0.1 or less, more preferably 0.001 or more and 0.09 or less, more preferably 0.002 or more and 0.07 or less, more preferably 0.002 or more and 0.05 or less, more preferably 0.003 or more and 0.04 or less, more preferably 0.003 or more and 0.02 or less, and more preferably 0.008 or more and 0.015 or less. <1> ~ <24> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following.

[0083] <26> Furthermore, it contains a nonionic surfactant as component (D). <1> ~ <25> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <27> The nonionic surfactant used as component (D) comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, alkyl glucosides, alkyl glyceryl ethers, polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene modified silicones, preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers and alkyl glyceryl ethers. <26> A composition for controlling pests. <28> The component (D) more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, poly(oxyethylene / oxypropylene) alkyl ether, polyoxypropylene alkyl ether, and alkyl glyceryl ether, even more preferably comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, poly(oxyethylene / oxypropylene) alkyl ether, and alkyl glyceryl ether, even more preferably comprises polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, and even more preferably comprises polyoxyethylene lauryl ether having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added preferably between 2 and 40, more preferably between 3 and 30, even more preferably between 5 and 20, and even more preferably between 5 and 15. <26> or <27> A composition for controlling pests. <29> The content of component (D) in the aforementioned pest control composition is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.08% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.6% by mass or less. <26> ~ <28> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <30> The mass ratio of component (D) to component (A) in the pest control composition [(D) / (A)] is preferably 0.1 to 10, more preferably 0.2 to 5, even more preferably 0.4 to 3, even more preferably 0.5 to 3, and even more preferably 0.8 to 3. <26> ~ <29> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <31> The total content of component (A) and component (D) in the aforementioned pest control composition is preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.4% by mass or more and 1.2% by mass or less. <26> ~ <30> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <32> The mass ratio of the total amount of component (A) and component (D) to component (C) in the aforementioned pest control composition [{(A)+(D)} / (C)] is preferably 0.0002 or more and 0.3 or less, more preferably 0.0002 or more and 0.25 or less, more preferably 0.0002 or more and 0.2 or less, preferably 0.0005 or more and 0.17 or less, more preferably 0.0005 or more and 0.15 or less, more preferably 0.001 or more and 0.13 or less, more preferably 0.001 or more and 0.1 or less, more preferably 0.002 or more and 0.09 or less, more preferably 0.002 or more and 0.07 or less, more preferably 0.003 or more and 0.05 or less, more preferably 0.003 or more and 0.04 or less, more preferably 0.008 or more and 0.02 or less, and more preferably 0.008 or more and 0.015 or less. <26> ~ <31> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following.

[0084] <33> Furthermore, it contains fragrance as ingredient (E). <1> ~ <32> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <34> The content of component (E) in the aforementioned pest control composition is preferably 0.001% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, more preferably 0.005% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less. <33> A composition for controlling pests. <35> The content of the anionic surfactant in the aforementioned pest control composition is less than 1% by mass, preferably 0.1% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.001% by mass or less, and even more preferably substantially 0% by mass. <1> ~ <34> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <36> The content of the insecticidal component in the aforementioned pest control composition is less than 1% by mass, preferably 0.1% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.001% by mass or less, and even more preferably substantially 0% by mass. <1> ~ <35> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <37> The content of one or more volatile organic solvents selected from the group consisting of ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether in the aforementioned pest control composition is less than 20% by mass, preferably 15% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, even more preferably 7% by mass or less, even more preferably 4% by mass or less, even more preferably 2% by mass or less, even more preferably 1% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or less, and even more preferably substantially 0% by mass. <1> ~ <36> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <38> The pH of the aforementioned pest control composition at 25°C is preferably 4 to 9, more preferably 4.5 to 9, even more preferably 5 to 8.5, even more preferably 5.5 to 8.2, even more preferably 6 to 8, even more preferably 6 to 7.8, and even more preferably 6.5 to 7.5. <1> ~ <37> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <39> It is a liquid formulation at 25°C. <1> ~ <38> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <40> The spraying operation is performed by spraying with a discharge amount of preferably 0.2 g / spray to 2 g / spray, more preferably 0.5 g / spray to 1.5 g / spray, and even more preferably 0.7 g / spray to 1.2 g / spray. <1> ~ <39> A pest control composition comprising any one of the following. <41> <1> ~ <40> A pest control spray comprising filling the container of a sprayer with one of the following pest control compositions. <42> The sprayer has an extrusion structure. <41> A spray for controlling pests. <43> <1> ~ <40> A method for controlling pests, comprising the step of spraying one of the following pest control compositions and bringing the sprayed droplets into contact with pests. <44> The method of bringing the spray droplets of the aforementioned pest control composition into contact with pests includes a method of spraying the composition onto pests, or onto a space or object where pests are present. <43> Methods for controlling pests. <45> <1> ~ <40> Use of any one of the compositions described in this document as a pest control composition. [Examples]

[0085] The present invention will be described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of these examples. In these examples, various evaluations and measurements were performed by the following methods.

[0086] (pH) The pH of the pest control composition was measured at 25°C using a pH meter (electrode: 6367-10D (manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.)).

[0087] (Mosquito knockdown performance (after 1 hour)) As shown in Figure 1, ten female Asian tiger mosquitoes were placed in an acrylic box (6 x 6 x 4 cm) covered on both sides with mesh cloth (nylon, 15D, mesh shape: hexagonal, mesh size: 1.5 mm). For each example, the pest control composition was sprayed once from a distance of 30 cm from the surface of the mesh cloth using a sprayer containing approximately 100 mL of the spray agent in the reservoir of a trigger-type sprayer (trigger type: pressurized, capacity 370 mL, inner diameter of discharge channel: 0.8 mm, discharge amount: 0.9 g / shot). "Single spray" means that the spray was applied by pulling the trigger of the trigger-type sprayer in a full stroke once. If an Asian tiger mosquito fell over on its back or side and was unable to maintain flight after lightly tapping the acrylic box, it was recorded as knocked down. The number of knocked-down Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was counted one hour after spraying the composition, and the knock-down rate was calculated as (number of knocked-down mosquitoes) / 10 × 100 (%), which is shown in Table 1.

[0088] (Odor) Each example of a pest control composition was filled into a standard bottle No. 6 (capacity 55 mL). Panelists checked the odor of the composition at the opening of the standard bottle and evaluated it according to the following criteria. A: No unpleasant odor (amine odor) C: Unpleasant odor (amine odor) present.

[0089] (Drying time) Each pest control composition was filled into a Maruemu Co., Ltd. "PP Spray Vial No. 6". An Indonesian ceramic tile (size: 45cm x 45cm, surface water contact angle: approximately 40°) was placed on the floor, and one spray (approximately 0.08g) of the composition was sprayed onto the tile surface from a spray nozzle located 15cm vertically above the tile surface. The mixture was left to stand at 25°C and 50% RH, and the time until the sprayed composition stopped volatilizing was visually observed and is shown in Table 1 as drying time (minutes). A smaller value indicates a faster drying rate of the composition.

[0090] (Difference in drying time) In each table, the difference in drying time from the aforementioned drying time to that of a comparative example containing only the corresponding component (A) was calculated and is shown in Table 1. A smaller value indicates a greater reduction in drying time.

[0091] (Appearance of the tiles after drying) After measuring the "drying time" described above, the appearance of the ceramic tiles was visually observed and evaluated according to the following criteria. AA: No dried residue, or only a small amount of dried residue, with virtually no discoloration or white residue. A: Discoloration and white residue due to dried residue are observed, but it is within acceptable limits. B: There is a lot of discoloration and white residue due to the dried residue, but it is within an acceptable range.

[0092] Examples 1-12, Comparative Examples 1-6 (Preparation and Evaluation of Pest Control Compositions) The components other than the pH adjuster shown in Table 1 were mixed using a stirrer. Then, in Example 2 and Comparative Examples 2-3, the pH adjuster listed in the table was added and mixed to prepare the pest control composition. The component amounts listed in Table 1 represent the effective component amount (mass%) of each component. The obtained compositions were evaluated using the method described above. For Examples 1, 4-9, and 12, the tile appearance after drying was also evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0093] [Table 1]

[0094] [Table 2]

[0095] The ingredients listed in the table are as follows: <Component (A): Cationic surfactant> • Lauryltrimethylammonium chloride: Manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Didecyldimethylammonium chloride: Manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. • Benzyl-(C12-16) alkyldimethyl chloride: SANIZOL C (manufactured by Kao Corporation)

[0096] <Component (B): Organic acid salt> • Potassium sorbate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) • Sodium benzoate (manufactured by Fushimi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)

[0097] <Ingredient (D): Nonionic surfactant> • Polyoxyethylene (9) lauryl ether: EMULGEN 109P (manufactured by Kao Corporation)

[0098] Table 1 shows that the pest control composition of the present invention has high mosquito knockdown performance, a short drying time, and low unpleasant odor. Furthermore, Table 2 shows that the pest control composition of the present invention does not present any problems in terms of appearance due to the residue after drying.

[0099] Furthermore, this embodiment discloses the following formulation examples. Components (A) to (D) listed in Tables 3 to 8 are the same as described above. Component (E) listed in Tables 3 to 8 is either the fragrance disclosed in Table 9 or the fragrance composition disclosed in Table 10.

[0100] [Table 3]

[0101] [Table 4]

[0102] [Table 5]

[0103] [Table 6]

[0104] [Table 7]

[0105] [Table 8]

[0106] [Table 9]

[0107] [Table 10] [Industrial applicability]

[0108] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pest control composition that dries quickly, has little unpleasant odor, and has excellent pest knockdown performance.< / ph>

Claims

1. Component (A): One or more quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants selected from the group consisting of long-chain alkyltrimethylammonium salts, dilong-chain alkyldimethylammonium salts, and long-chain alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts. Component (B): A carboxylic acid or salt thereof having a pKa1 of 3 to 5 at 25°C, Component (C): water, A pest control composition containing, A pest control composition having a pH of 3.5 or higher and 9.5 or lower at 25°C, which is used by spraying.

2. The pest control composition according to claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) in the composition [(A) / (B)] is 0.1 or more and 20 or less.

3. The pest control composition according to claim 1, comprising a carboxylic acid having a carboxyl group but no hydroxyl group.

4. The pest control composition according to claim 1, wherein component (B) contains a carboxylic acid having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

5. The pest control composition according to claim 1, further comprising a nonionic surfactant as component (D).

6. The pest control composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of component (A) in the composition is 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less.

7. The pest control composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of component (B) in the composition is 0.01% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

8. The pest control composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of the anionic surfactant is less than 1% by mass.

9. The pest control composition according to Claim 1, wherein the content of the insecticidal component is less than 1% by mass.

10. The pest control composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of volatile organic solvents is less than 20% by mass.

11. A pest control spray comprising filling the containment section of a sprayer with the pest control composition described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The insecticide spray according to claim 11, wherein the sprayer has an extrusion structure.

13. A method for controlling pests, comprising the step of spraying a pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and bringing the sprayed droplets into contact with pests.

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