MOUSE ATTRACTORS

Abstract

The present invention relates to mouse-attracting compositions that include one or more long-range volatiles, namely butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. The long-range volatiles are isolated, synthetic, or purified. The mouse-attracting compositions also comprise one or more short-range volatiles, such as progesterone and estradiol. Devices (housing or traps) for attracting mice comprising the compositions, as well as methods for attracting mice by delivering the compositions, are also described.

Description

This description refers in general to compositions, devices, and methods for attracting mice. Background of the Invention Mice are global pests. They cause harm by soiling food, dispersing allergens, reducing agricultural crop yields, serving as reservoirs for disease-causing pathogens, endangering island seabird colonies, and acting as an invasive species that harms native wildlife (Wanless et al. 2007, Angel et al. 2009). These many adverse effects have driven ongoing efforts to trap and poison mice. However, mice can exhibit neophobia (fear of new objects) (Brigham & Sibley 1999). The waiting time for neophobic rodents to become accustomed to the presence of newly placed traps, or trap boxes containing quick-release traps, and to enter them greatly reduces the effectiveness of mouse control efforts. Brief Description of the Invention According to one modality, a composition for attracting a mouse includes one or more long-range volatiles and one or more short-range volatiles. One or more pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi Ref. 312777 Long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. One or more long-range volatiles are isolated, synthetic, or purified. According to another embodiment, a composition for attracting a mouse includes one or more long-range volatiles. One or more long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. One or more long-range volatiles are isolated, synthetic, or purified. According to another embodiment, a method for attracting a mouse includes providing a composition that includes one or more long-range volatiles and one or more short-range volatiles. One or more long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. One or more long-range volatiles are isolated, synthetic, or purified. According to another embodiment, a device for attracting a mouse includes a housing or trap and a composition comprising one or more long-range volatiles and one or more short-range volatiles. One or more long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. One or more long-range volatiles are isolated, synthetic, or purified. The composition is adjacent to, or included within, the housing or trap. According to another embodiment, a mouse-attracting device includes a housing for receiving a mouse and a composition comprising one or more long-range volatiles and one or more short-range volatiles. One or more long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. One or more long-range volatiles are isolated, synthetic, or purified. The composition is adjacent to, or included within, the housing. According to one embodiment, a mouse attractant composition includes one or more long-range volatiles and one or more short-range volatiles. One or more long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. The composition attracts at least three times more male mice than a composition that includes one or more short-range volatiles but is substantially free of one or more long-range volatiles. According to another embodiment, a method for attracting a mouse includes providing a composition that includes one or more long-range volatiles and one or more short-range volatiles. One or more long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. The composition attracts at least 3 times more male mice than a composition that includes one or more short-range volatiles that are substantially free of one or more long-range volatiles. According to another embodiment, a mouse-attracting device includes a housing or trap and a composition comprising one or more long-range volatiles and one or more short-range volatiles. One or more long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. The composition attracts at least three times more male mice than a composition comprising one or more short-range volatiles that is substantially free of one or more long-range volatiles. The composition is adjacent to, or included within, the housing or trap. According to another embodiment, a mouse attractant device includes a housing for receiving a mouse and a composition comprising one or more long-range volatiles and one or more short-range volatiles. One or more long-range volatiles include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. The composition attracts at least three times more male mice than a composition comprising one or more short-range volatiles that is substantially free of one or more long-range volatiles. The composition is adjacent to, or included within, the housing. Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 represents an example of a mouse attractant device in accordance with a modality. Figure 2 represents an example of a mouse attractant device in accordance with another modality. Figure 3 represents an example of a mouse attractant device in accordance with another modality. Figure 4 represents an example of a mouse attractant device in accordance with another modality. Figure 5 represents an example of a mouse attractant device in accordance with another modality. Figure 6 represents an example of a mouse attractant device in accordance with another modality. Figure 7 represents an example of a mouse attractant device in accordance with another modality. Figure 8 represents an example of a mouse attractant device in accordance with another modality. Figure 9 represents a graph showing the average amount of three volatile sex pheromone components in the upper space of bedding droppings by female house mice of different ages. Figure 10 represents, from top to bottom, comparative gas chromatograms of 2-methylbutyric acid ethyl ester derivatives, synthetic (S)-2-methylbutyric acid, and 2-methylbutyric acid produced by female house mice. Figures 11A and 11B represent an illustration of an experimental design for behavioral experiments on mouse capture indices. Figure 12 represents average captures of house mice in paired traps baited with either a mixture of short-range and long-range sex attractant pheromone components or the short-range sex attractant pheromone components alone as a control. Figure 13 represents average captures of house mice in paired traps baited with either a mixture of short-range and long-range sex attractant pheromone components or the long-range sex attractant pheromone components alone as a control. Detailed Description of the Invention The term volatile as used herein refers to chemicals which emanate rapidly from a source and are quickly detected by a mouse removed from the source. The term long-range volatile or long-range pheromone component as used herein means chemicals with a molecular weight of approximately 150 Daltons or less and a boiling point of approximately 200 °C or less. Such components emanate rapidly from a source and are quickly detected by a mouse at a distance of 1 meter or more. The term short-range volatile or short-range pheromone component, as used herein, means chemicals with a molecular weight of 250 Daltons or more. Such components are detectable by a mouse at a distance of 1 meter or less. The term isolated as used herein means separated from materials with which the compound is normally associated in a native state. The term "purified" as used herein refers to material that has been isolated under conditions that reduce or eliminate the presence of unrelated materials, i.e., contaminants, including native materials from which the material is obtained. Purified materials, substantially free of contaminants, may be 50% or more pure, 90% or more pure, or 99% or more pure. Purity may be assessed by methods known in the art. The term synthetic as used herein means artificially produced by chemical or other processes initiated by human energy, as opposed to compounds formed by natural processes. The term lethal as used herein means sufficient to result in immobilization, rapid paralysis and / or death of 50% or more, 55% or more, 60% or more, 65% or more, 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, or 99% or more, mice. The term lethal agent as used herein means an agent that is capable of immobilizing, rapidly paralyzing, and / or eliminating 50% or more, 55% or more, 60% or more, 65% or more, 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, or 99% or more mice that are exposed to, or have ingested, an appropriate dose of the lethal agents over an appropriate amount of time. The term chemosterilant as used herein means a substance that is capable of sterilizing 50% or more, 55% or more, 60% or more, 65% or more, 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, or 99% or more mice that are exposed to, or have ingested, an appropriate dose of the substance over an appropriate amount of time. The term mouse as used herein refers to at least one mouse of the genus Mus, which includes the house mouse (Mus musculus). The term attractant, as used herein, refers to any composition or formulation that makes a mouse or mice, a habitat, a food source, or another site attractive to a mouse or mice. For example, the term sex attractant pheromone component, as used herein, refers to compounds that are naturally produced by mice and that make any composition or formulation attractive to a mouse or mice, a habitat, a food source, or another site that a mouse or mice may frequent. A sex attractant pheromone component may be in natural or synthetic form. The term sex attractant pheromone mixture as used herein refers to a composition or formulation containing two or more sex attractant pheromone components. This general description refers to compositions for attracting at least one mouse, such as a male mouse. In general, the compositions may include one or more long-range volatiles. Long-range volatiles can enhance the attraction of the male mouse either alone or in combination with other known mouse attractants such as short-range volatile spheroids, progesterone, and estradiol. Generally, long-range volatiles suitable for attracting male mice can only be produced by female mice. In certain formulations, long-range volatiles may carry a feminine essence (e.g., the presence of a female) but not the sexual maturity or receptivity of a female mouse. It is specifically theoretical that the long-range volatiles described herein can improve the attraction rate of male mice by guiding them over long distances to the compounds described herein. As can be seen, short-range volatiles, such as steroidal mouse attractants, have relatively high molecular weights. For example, the steroidal mouse attractant progesterone has a molecular weight of 314 Da, and the steroidal mouse attractant estradiol (estrogen) has a molecular weight of 272 Da. Such high molecular weights reduce the volatility of the compounds and may decrease their effective attraction range. The addition of long-range volatiles to mouse attractants containing known short-range volatiles has been found to significantly increase the male mouse attraction rate. The attraction rate for a composition that includes both long-range and short-range volatiles can result in a greater increase in the male mouse attraction rate, leading to an unexpected synergy when such volatiles are combined. In certain formulations, a combination of long-range and short-range volatiles can increase the male mouse attraction rate per pee. approximately 3 times, in certain modalities, approximately 4 times, in certain modalities, approximately 5 times, and in certain modalities, approximately 6 times or more. pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi In certain embodiments, the long-range volatiles described herein may include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid. In certain embodiments, the compositions described herein may include one, two, three, or more of the long-range volatiles. For example, in certain embodiments, the compositions described herein may include butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and 4-heptanone. The long-range volatiles may be isolated, purified, and / or synthesized in various ways. In certain embodiments, one or more volatiles may include optical isomers. For example, the compositions may include racemic volatiles, such as racemic 2-methylbutyric acid, in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, one or more long-range volatiles may be included in a composition in quantities where the composition emits substantially similar amounts of the long-range volatiles to those emanating from the feces of a female mouse over a predetermined period of time. For example, in certain embodiments, one or more long-range volatiles may be included in a mixture formulated to include butyric acid at approximately 91% by weight of the long-range volatiles, 2-methylbutyric acid at approximately 9% by weight of the long-range volatiles, and 4-heptanone at approximately 0.3% by weight of the long-range volatiles. From such mixtures, each of the long-range volatiles may emanate in quantities substantially similar to those emanating from the feces of a female mouse over 24 hours.In certain embodiments, the compositions may include one or more long-range volatiles in quantities such that the compositions release each of the long-range volatiles in amounts substantially similar to those emanating from the feces of one or more female mice over other time periods. For example, certain compositions may release each of the long-range volatiles in amounts substantially similar to those emanating from the feces of two or more female mice over 48 hours in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, a composition may include a mixture of the long-range volatiles comprising approximately 2.8 mg of butyric acid, approximately 0.28 mg of 2-methylbutyric acid, and approximately 0.1 mg of 4-heptanone.As can be seen, larger quantities of long-range volatiles can emulate the presence of two or more female mice or the sustained presence of a single female mouse, for example. However, excessive quantities of long-range volatiles may be ineffective if the long-range volatiles are emitted in amounts substantially different from those associated with any gathering of wild female mice. In certain formulations, a composition includes one or more long-range volatiles, one or more short-range volatiles, and one or more lethal and chemosterylating agents. Suitable short-range volatiles may generally include steroidal volatiles such as progesterone and estradiol (estrogen). In formulations where the composition includes a lethal agent, the lethal agent may be a chemical capable of causing immobilization and / or death of one or more mice. For example, the chemical may be one or more anticoagulants and / or toxins. In certain modalities, examples of suitable lethal agents may include warfarin ((RS)-4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-l-phenylbutyl)-2H-chromen-2-one), chlorophacinone (2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-l-oxo-2-phenylethyl]indan-1,3-dione), diphacinone (2-(diphenylacetyl)-l-inden-1,3(2H)-dione), bromadiolone (3-[3-[4-(4-bromophenyl)phenyl]-3-hydroxy-l-phenylpropyl]-2-hydroxychromen-4-one), difethialone (3-[3-[4-(4-bromophenyl)phenyl]-1-tetralynyl]-2-hydroxy-4-thiochromenone), brodifacoum (3-[3-[4-(4-bromophenyl)phenyl]-1-tetralynyl]-2-hydroxy-4-thiochromenone), bromophenyl)phenyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-l-yl]-2-hydroxychromen-4-one) , and combinations thereof.In certain forms, suitable toxins may include bromethaline (N-methyl-2,4-dinitro-6-(trifluoromethyl)-N(2',4',6'-tribromophenyl)aniline), cholecalciferol ((3β,5Z,7E)9,10-secocolesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol), zinc phosphide (zinc phosphide / trizinc diphosphide), strychnine (strychnidin-10-one), and combinations thereof. In formulations where the composition includes a chemosterylant, the chemosterylant may be a chemical capable of sterilizing one or more mice. For example, suitable chemosterylating chemicals may generally be compounds that can sterilize male mice as known in the art. Male chemosterylants may be desirable due to the attraction of male mice to the long-range volatiles described herein. In certain variations, the described compositions may also include a food bait. Suitable food baits may include natural food products such as meat, cheese, eggs, nuts, and / or grains. For example, a feed bait may include lard and cracklings, cereal flour (e.g., oat flour and / or rice flour), cereal bran (e.g., wheat germ), gelling agent(s) (e.g., gelatin and / or agar), sugar (e.g., fructose), oil(s) (e.g., safflower oil), emulsifier(s) (e.g., soy lecithin) and humectant(s) (e.g., carrageenan gum powder), water, chemical attackers (e.g., 2-hydroxy-3-methylcyclopent-2-en-l-one, 2,3-butadione, 3-methylbutanal, 5-methyl-(E)-2-hepten-4-one, 5-methyl-4-heptanone, g-octalactone and / or butyric acid), and combinations thereof. As you can see, the compositions may also, or alternatively, include other components. For example, natural or artificial flavorings such as milk flavor and sodium chloride may be included in certain formulations. Preservatives may also be included in certain formulations. As you can see, sodium chloride can act as both a flavoring and a preservative. In certain formulations, bitter-tasting compounds, such as denatonium benzoate, may be included to make the compositions unpalatable to humans. As can be seen, they can also be useful in formulating compositions with rheology modifiers, waxes, and similar materials to modify the consistency of the compositions described herein, thus facilitating their use. In certain embodiments, compositions can be colored through the inclusion of a colorant. For example, dyes and pigments, as known in the art, can be used to color the compositions. In certain embodiments, colorants can be used to give the compositions a color, such as red, that provides a visual warning to humans that the composition contains a potentially harmful substance, such as a lethal agent. In certain embodiments, colorants can alternatively color a composition to a natural color. In certain embodiments, the compositions described herein may be used to attract one or more mice. The composition may be used as bait and may optionally be included in a trap. In certain embodiments, a composition consisting essentially of one or more long-range volatiles may be used to attract one or more mice. In certain embodiments, a composition that includes one or more long-range volatiles, one or more short-range volatiles, and optionally other components, may be used to attract one or more mice. In certain formulations, a composition that includes one or more long-range volatiles and, optionally, one or more short-range volatiles, in an amount ranging from approximately 1% to approximately 99% of the composition, can be used to attract one or more male mice. For example, one or more long-range volatiles and pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi One or more short-range volatiles may be included in an amount of approximately 1% or more, approximately 2% or more, approximately 5% or more, approximately 7.5% or more, approximately 10% or more, approximately 12.5% ​​or more, approximately 15% or more, approximately 17.5% or more, approximately 20% or more, approximately 22.5% or more, approximately 25% or more, approximately 27.5% or more, approximately 30% or more, approximately 32.5% or more, approximately 35% or more, approximately 37.5% or more, approximately 40% or more, approximately 42.5% or more, approximately 45% or more, approximately 47.5% or more, approximately 50% or more, approximately 52.5% or more, approximately 55% or more, approximately 57.5% or more, approximately 60% or more, approximately 62.5% or more, approximately 65% ​​or more, approximately 67.5% or more, approximately 70% or more, approximately 72.5% or more, approximately 75% or more, approximately 77.5% or more, approximately 80% or more, approximately 82.5% or more, approximately 85% or more, approximately 87.5% or more, approximately 90% or more, approximately 92.5% or more, approximately 95% or more, approximately 97.5% or more, and approximately 99% or more, by weight of the composition. The composition may be used as bait, and may be. optionally included in a trap. In certain embodiments, the composition may also include at least one lethal agent in an amount of approximately 1% to approximately 99% of the composition. The lethal agent may be a chemical capable of immobilizing or killing one or more mice. In certain embodiments, the lethal agent(s) may be included in an amount of approximately 1% or more, approximately 2% or more, approximately 5% or more, approximately 7.5% or more. more, approximately 10% or more, approximately 12.5% ​​or more, approximately 15% or more, approximately 17.5% or more, approximately 20% or more, approximately 22.5% or more, approximately 25% or more, approximately 27.5% or more, approximately 30% or more, approximately 32.5% or more, approximately 35% or more, approximately 37.5% or more, approximately 40% or more, approximately 42.5% or more, approximately 45% or more, approximately 47.5% or more, approximately 50% or more, approximately 52.5% or more, approximately 55% or more, approximately 57.5% or more, approximately 60% or more, approximately 62.5% or more, approximately 65% ​​or more, approximately 67.5% or more, approximately 70% or more, approximately 72.5% or more, approximately 75% or more, approximately 77.5% or more, approximately 80% or more, approximately 82.5% or more, approximately 85% or more, approximately 87.5% or more, approximately 90% or more, approximately 92.5% or more, approximately 95% or more, approximately 97.5% or more, and. approximately 99% or more, by weight of the composition. In certain embodiments, the composition may also, or alternatively, include one or more chemosterylants in an amount of approximately 1% to approximately 99% of the composition. The chemosterylant(s) may be a chemical capable of sterilizing one or more mice. In certain embodiments, the chemosterylant(s) may be effective for sterilizing male mice. In certain embodiments, the chemosterylant(s) may be included in an amount of approximately 1% or more, approximately 2% or more, approximately 5% or more, approximately 7.5% or more, approximately 10% or more, approximately 12.5% ​​or more, approximately 15% or more, approximately 17.5% or more, approximately 20% or more, approximately 22.5% or more, approximately 25% or more, approximately 27.5% or more, approximately 30% or more, approximately 32.5% or more, approximately 35% or more, approximately 37.5% or more, approximately 40% or more, approximately 42.5% or more, approximately 45% or more, approximately 47.5% or more, approximately 50% or more, approximately 52.5% or more, approximately 55% or more, approximately 57.5% or more, approximately 60% or more, approximately 62.5% or more, approximately 65% ​​or more, approximately 67.5% or more, approximately 70% or more, approximately 72.5% or more, approximately 75% or more, approximately 77.5% or more, approximately 80% or more, approximately 82.5% or more, approximately 85% or more, approximately 87.5% or more, approximately 90% or more, approximately 92.5% or more, approximately 95% or more, approximately 97.5% or more, and approximately 99% or more, by weight of the composition. In certain forms, the composition may consist essentially of butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, progesterone, and estradiol (estrogen) and a lethal agent. In certain embodiments described herein, a composition that attracts one or more mice may be formulated as a granule, a solid block, a gel, a powder, a paste, a liquid, an aerosolized composition, or as a combination thereof. As can be seen, the compositions described herein may be applied in any suitable manner. For example, the compositions may be applied as a solid, a semi-solid, a liquid, or an aerosol using appropriate devices. As can be seen, any of the compositions described herein may be included in a device to attract one or more mice. The device may include a composition comprising one or more long-range volatiles and, optionally, one or more short-range volatiles. In certain embodiments, the compositions pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi may also optionally include one or more of a lethal agent and a chemosterylant. In certain embodiments, the device may include a housing to receive at least one mouse. The composition may be adjacent to, or included within, the housing. The housing may also include a food bait that is adjacent to, or included within, the composition. The housing may allow a mouse to enter and exit the device after ingesting the composition. The housing may be configured so that a mouse can enter the device, but other animals are less likely to be able to enter the device.For example, the housing may contain a restricted-size entry path, and the housing may optionally include a sharp turn. The device may be reusable (e.g., the bait can be repositioned) or it may be a single-use device. The device may also include, or alternatively be, a trap. The trap may be an immobilizing trap (e.g., a sticky trap, or a camera trap), an impalement trap, a speed trap, a suffocation trap (e.g., a drowning trap, or a rope-based trap), an electrocution trap, a skull-fracturing piston trap, a catch-and-release trap, a self-resetting trap capable of multiple takedowns, or combinations thereof. As you can see, the device can trap or eliminate more than one mouse in certain modes. For example, a device for attracting one or more mice might include multiple single-use traps, a plurality of cameras that can each trap one mouse, or a single camera that can trap or eliminate multiple mice in various modes. Other variations of the device are also possible in certain models. For example, a device can automatically eliminate and remove a mouse in certain applications. In such applications, a mouse can be lured into a trap housing that eliminates the mouse using, for example, an impalement trap, a compression trap, a suffocation trap, an electrocution trap, or a piston trap that fractures the skull. Once the mouse has been eliminated, the trap can reset itself, releasing the mouse to fall out of both the trap housing and the device. As can be seen, such devices can eliminate multiple mice without human intervention. In certain models, such devices can be mechanically energized (using, for example, a compressible gas cartridge) or they can be electrically energized. As can be seen, other devices are also possible in certain embodiments. For example, in certain embodiments, a mouse-attracting device may be a dispensing device or a dispersing device that dispenses, disseminates, releases, and / or disperses a composition as described herein using a device such as an aerosol device, an activating atomizer device, or a pump atomizer device, or the like. As can be seen, the composition in such embodiments may be an aerosolized liquid or the like. In certain embodiments, a device may include a housing for receiving a mouse, as well as a composition comprising one or more long-range volatiles. With reference to Figure 1, a device according to one embodiment is described. The device (100) may include a housing (110). The housing (110) may include the composition (120), which includes additive (130). In certain embodiments, the housing (110) may also include at least one food bait. In certain embodiments, the housing (110) may also include a trap. The composition (120) may be included within, or adjacent to, the trap within the housing (110). With reference to Figure 2, a device is described in accordance with one embodiment. The device (100) may include a housing (110). The housing (110) may include the composition (120), which includes additive (130) and lethal agent (140). In certain embodiments, the housing (110) may also include at least one food bait. In certain embodiments, the housing (110) may also include a trap. The composition (120) may be included within, or adjacent to, the trap within the housing (110). With reference to Figure 3, a device is described in accordance with one embodiment. The device (100) may include a trap (150). The trap (150) may include composition (120), which includes additive (130). In certain embodiments, the trap (150) may also include at least one food bait. In certain embodiments, the trap (150) may also include a housing. Composition (120) may be included within, or adjacent to, the housing within the trap (150). With reference to Figure 4, a device is described in accordance with one embodiment. The device (100) may include a trap (150). The trap (150) may include the composition (120), which includes additive (130) and lethal agent (140). In certain embodiments, the trap (150) may also include at least one food bait. In certain embodiments, the trap (150) may also include a housing. The composition (120) may be included within, or adjacent to, the housing within the trap (150). With reference to Figure 5, a device is described in accordance with one embodiment. The device pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi (100) may include a housing (110). The housing (110) may include the composition (120), which includes additive (130) and chemosterilant (160). In certain embodiments, the housing (110) may also include at least one food bait. In certain embodiments, the housing (110) may also include a trap. The composition (120) may be included within, or adjacent to, the trap within the housing (110). With reference to Figure 6, a device is described in accordance with one embodiment. The device (100) may include a trap (150). The trap (150) may include composition (120), which includes additive (130) and chemosterilant (160). In certain embodiments, the trap (150) may also include at least one food bait. In certain embodiments, the trap (150) may also include a housing. Composition (120) may be included within, or adjacent to, the housing within the trap (150). With reference to Figure 7, a device is described in accordance with one embodiment. The device (100) may include a housing (110). The housing (110) may include the composition (120), which includes additive (130), lethal agent (140), and chemosterilant (160). In certain embodiments, the housing (110) may also include at least one food bait. In certain embodiments, the housing (110) may also include a trap. The composition (120) may be included within, or adjacent to, the trap within the housing (110). With reference to Figure 8, a device is described in accordance with one embodiment. The device (100) may include a trap (150). The trap (150) may include composition (120), which includes additive (130), lethal agent (140), and chemosterilant (160). In certain embodiments, the trap (150) may also include at least one food bait. In certain embodiments, the trap (150) may also include a housing. Composition (120) may be included within, or adjacent to, the housing within the trap (150). Any of the compositions described herein may be used to attract one or more mice. One or more mice may be attracted by providing any of the compositions described herein. One or more mice may also be immobilized and / or killed by providing any of the compositions described herein with a lethal agent. One or more mice may also be sterilized by providing any of the compositions described herein with a chemosterilant. The composition may be provided in a dose sufficient to result in the attraction, and optionally, the sterilization, immobilization, and / or death of one or more mice. pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi EXAMPLES Source and maintenance of the mouse colony House mice, Mus musculus (strain: CD-I®), were obtained from Charles River Laboratories Ltd. (Saint Constant, QC J5A 2E7, Canada) and cared for by Simon Fraser University (SFU) Animal Care Services. Upon arrival, the mice were assigned to nine groups of five female mice each and nine groups of five male mice each. Each group was housed in cages (50 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm) lined with commercial corn cob bedding (Anderson Cob Bedding, The Andersons Inc., Maumee, OH 43537, USA), provided with Nalgene toys, running wheels (Jaimesons Pet Food Distributors, Richmond, BC V4G 1C9, Canada), and provided with commercial rodent food (LabDiet® Certified Rodent Diet, LabDiet, St. Louis, MO 64144, USA) as well as water ad libitum. Identification of long-range volatiles in female house mice Long-range volatiles emanating from the urine and fecal deposits of female house mice were identified using the droppings from the bedding of male and female mice aged from 33 to 56 days. The female-specific long-range volatiles were theorized to act as components of sex attractant pheromones. As the mouse progressed from juvenile to adult, the droppings from the urine and fecal beds of nine groups of five females each, and nine groups of five males each, were collected and replaced with fresh bedding at three-day intervals. The excrement from the combined beds of each of the three groups of females (450 g), and each of the three groups of males (450 g), were placed in separate Pyrex glass chambers (30 x 15 cm) each connected to a Pyrex glass tube (15 cm x 5 mm OD) filled with the adsorbent Porapak Q (200 mg) serving as a volatile trap.Air filtered through charcoal was drawn through each chamber and the Porapak Q volatile air trap at a flow rate of 1 L per minute. After capturing urine and fecal odorants in the Porapak Q for 24 hours, the odorants were desorbed with consecutive rinses of pentane (2 mL) and ether (2 mL). After adding dodecyl acetate as an internal standard, the extracts were concentrated to 250 μA per sample. Aliquots (2 μA) of each sample were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using a Varian Saturn GC-MS ion trap. The GC-MS instrument was set up with a DB-5 MS GC column (30 m × 0.25 mm ID; Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA) using helium as the carrier gas (35 cm per second), and run using the following temperature program: 40 °C for 5 min, 10 °C per min to 280 °C (5 min). The injector port was set to 250 °C and the ion trap to 200 °C. Odorants were identified by comparing their retention indices (relative to straight-chain alkanes) and mass spectra with those of authentic standards purchased from suppliers or synthesized in the laboratory. Volatiles that were either female-specific or increased in abundance as females progressed to sexual maturity were considered candidate sex attractant pheromone components. Table 2 represents the volatiles identified in the excrement of female and male mouse beds. TABLE 1 Compound Average Abundance (%) Female Male 2-pentanone 0.18 0.4 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol 6.96 4.6 3-methyl-2-pentanone 0.01 0.33 1-pentanol 0.27 0.35 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol 0.20 0.42 butyric acid 29.74 0.0 Unknown 0.37 2.25 3-methylbutyric acid 3.30 0.0 2-methylbutyric acid 1.14 0.0 1-hexanol 0.15 1.88 4-heptanone 1.52 0.0 2-heptanone 32.83 43.6 £5-2-heptenone 5.6 4.06 2-acetyl-pyrroline 0.12 1.03 £3-2-heptenone 2.3 2.15 Desconocido 0.39 2.12 6-methyl-3-heptanone 6.39 4.44 dimethyl trisulfide 0.46 1.2 l-octen-3-oI 1.68 2.46 3,4-dehydro-ew-brevicomm 2.84 7.4 Acetophenone 1.64 3.61 2-se <?-butil~4,5-dihidrotiazol 0.0 5.56 2,3,5-tritiahexano 0.12 8.91 2-undecanoato 0.21 0.13 / raws-cariofíleno 0.21 0.3 Geramlacetona 0.24 0.69 β-farneseno 0.39 1.37 a-humuleno 0.73 0.74 pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi As shown in Table 1, GC-MS analyses of upper space volatiles emanating from male mouse beds of feces and urine reveal a variety of odorants, including acids, ketones, alcohols, sesquiterpenes, and nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds, which vary mainly in relative abundance. Compared to the upper space volatiles of male mouse beds of urine and feces, four volatiles were specific to females: butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 3-methylbutyric acid, and 4-heptanone. While these compounds differ in absolute amounts, the relative abundance of butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and 4-heptanone does not increase as female mice progress from juveniles to adults, as shown in Figure 9. To determine the absolute configuration of 2-methylbutyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid produced by female house mice was derivatized to the corresponding ethyl ester and this ethyl ester derivative was analyzed using a guiral gas chromatography column in comparison with synthetic 2-methylbutyric acid and (S)-2-methylbutyric acid ethyl ester derivatives. To esterify the 2-methylbutyric acid produced by the mouse, 75 µA aliquots of each of three volatile extracts from the Porapak Q upper space were combined into a sample then containing approximately 500 ng per µA of 2-methylbutyric acid. After concentrating the sample to 50 µA, 10 µA each of dimethylaminopyridine (50 pg / µA) and absolute ethanol, as well as 20 µA of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (220 µg / µL), were added. This sample was kept overnight at room temperature before 100 µA of pentane was added. Aliquots (2 μA) of this sample were analyzed isothermally (70°C) by GC, using an Agilent GC 6890 (Agilent Technologies Inc.) fitted with a CP pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi column Chirasil Dex CB [25 mx 0.25 mm ID; Varian Inc. (now Agilent), Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA], and setting the FID injector and detector to 240° C. Comparative chiral gas chromatography determined that female house mice predominantly produce the S-enantiomer of 2-methylbutyric acid, as depicted in Figure 10. Gas chromatographic mass spectrometry analyses can be used to determine the amount of long-range volatiles emanating from the litter space droppings of a female mouse over a period of time. Specifically, by comparing the peak area integrations of the long-range volatiles to the peak area integration of an internal standard (e.g., dodecyl acetate) on a gas chromatogram of upper-space litter droplets from a female house mouse over a selected time period, the amount of each long-range volatile emanating from the litter droplets can be determined. It was determined that the excrement from the bedding of a female mouse emanates approximately 450 ng of butyric acid, 32 ng of 2-methylbutyric acid, and 70 ng of 4-heptanone during a 24-hour period. pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi Experiment 1: Field test of long-range volatiles identified as candidate components of sex attractant pheromones of female house mice The ability of long-range volatiles identified as candidate sex attractant pheromones (e.g., butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and 4-heptanone) to enhance the attractiveness of the short-range sex attractant pheromone components, progesterone and estradiol, as a trap lure was tested in a field experiment. All data were collected from wild house mice in the field, rather than from laboratory strains, because wild mouse populations are the targets of trapping programs. Progesterone and estradiol were previously shown to be effective house mouse pheromone components in PCT Patent Application No. PCT / CA2017 / 050618. Experimental replicates were set up along the interior or exterior walls of a poultry house, a livestock production facility, and a horse stable. Each replicate (n = 193) consisted of paired trap boxes depicted in Figures 11A and 11B. The paired trap boxes, each labeled 1, (PROTECTA® Mouse, Bell Laboratories Inc. Madison, WI 53704, USA) were spaced 0.5 m apart, and there were approximately 2 m between pairs (not shown). As depicted in Figure 11B, each trap box, labeled 1, contains a quick trap (M325 Mouse M7 Pro Woodstream Co., Lititz, PA 175543, USA), labeled 2, which were baited with the food bait used in PCT Patent Application No. PCT / CA2017 / 050498.Each of the trap boxes also includes a triangular piece of filter paper, (Whatman #1, 120 mm, Maidstone, England, 01622), labeled 3, which was treated with a mixture of the known short-range pheromone components progesterone (250 ng) and estradiol (125 ng) dissolved in 50 μA of ether. Each trap box was randomly assigned to either treatment or control stimuli contained in a 400 μA polyethylene microcentrifuge tube (Evergreen Scientific, 18704 South Ferris Place, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220), labeled 4, with a perforated cap (1.5 mm). The treatment microcentrifuge tube contained a mixture of candidate long-range pheromone components consisting of 2.8 mg of butyric acid, 0.28 mg of 2-methylbutyric acid, and 0.1 mg of 4-heptanone formulated in 200 μA of mineral oil. The ratio and release rates of the candidate long-range pheromone component mixture were equivalent to those emanating from the feces of a female litter over 24 hours. The microcentrifuge tube in the corresponding control trap box contains 200 μA of mineral oil. Twice a week, the paired trap boxes were checked, and food baits and pheromone lures were redeployed. Whenever a mouse was captured, its sex and age (juvenile or adult based on body size and genitalia development) were recorded, and a new trap box and speed trap were deployed. This procedure ensures that the scent of the captured mouse does not affect future captures. The position of the treatment and control traps within the paired trap boxes was randomized again after each capture. As shown in Figure 12, treatment traps baited with the long-range volatile mixture identified as a candidate sex attractant pheromone captured significantly more adult males (χ² = 25.13; P < 0.0001) and juvenile males (χ² = 26.68; P < 0.0001) than control traps. Of the 46 adult males captured, 40 were caught in traps baited with the long-range volatile sex attractant pheromone mixture. As a trap lure, this mixture of long-range sex attractant pheromone components had no effect on the capture of adult female mice (χ² = 2.0; P = 0.16) or juvenile female mice (χ² = 3.25; P = 0.07). The probability of capturing a mouse of a particular age or sex differs based on the trap lure (logistic regression analysis; Tukey's test for multiple comparisons of trapping probabilities; P < 0.05).In a trap baited with both the long-range volatiles and short-range volatiles mixture (e.g., the spheroids progesterone and estradiol), the probability of capturing adult males and juvenile males was 0.87 and 0.83, respectively, while the probability of capturing adult females and juvenile females was 0.63 and 0.37, respectively. The results of Experiment 1 illustrate the synergistic effect of mixing long-range and short-range sex attractant pheromone components on the capture rate of adult and juvenile male house mice. As can be seen, traps baited with a mixture of progesterone and estradiol (estrogen) alone yielded capture rates of adult and juvenile male house mice 9 times and 21 times higher, respectively (see, for example, PCT Patent Application No. PCT / CA2017 / 050618), than traps lacking any pheromone lure.Compared to the trap lure of the short-range pheromone components progesterone and estradiol (estrogen) alone, the present trap lure combination of the short-range pheromone components progesterone and estradiol (estrogen) with the present long-range volatile mixture results in an additional 6.6-fold and 4.7-fold increase in the capture rate of adult male house mice and juvenile male house mice, respectively. This increase demonstrates that the addition of the long-range pheromone components (butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and 4-heptanone) to the short-range pheromone components (progesterone and estradiol (estrogen)) synergistically increases the attractiveness of a pheromone lure composition and the resulting mouse capture rates. Experiment 2: Field test of the components of long-range sex attractant pheromones of female house mice A second experiment was conducted to test the ability of the short-range pheromone components progesterone and estradiol to enhance the attractiveness of the long-range sex attractant pheromone components butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and 4-heptanone. The design was identical to that of Experiment 1 except that both trap boxes in each pair (31 replicates) were primed with the long-range sex attractant pheromone components, but only the treatment trap layer received progesterone and estradiol. pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi As depicted in Figure 13, in Experiment 2, treatment traps baited with the mixture of long-range sex attractant pheromone components and the short-range sex attractant pheromone components progesterone and estradiol captured significantly more adult males (χ² = 5.06; P = 0.024) and fewer adult females (χ² = 3.27; P = 0.07) than control traps baited only with the mixture of long-range sex attractant pheromone components. The juvenile male and juvenile female data in this experiment were also low, suggesting a behavior-modifying effect attributable to the mixture of long-range sex attractant pheromone components. The combined data from Experiments 1 and 2 show a synergistic effect between the mixture of long-range sex attractant pheromone components (butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone) and the short-range sex attractant pheromone components (estradiol and steroidal progesterone). In combination, these components attract 6.6 times more adult males than the pheroids alone (Exp. 1) and 4.3 times more adult males than the mixture of long-range sex attractant pheromone components alone (Exp. 2). Thus, the high- and low-volatility pheromone components act synergistically in attracting prospective mates. Los siguientes documentos están de este modo incorporados por referencia en sus totalidades: Brigham, A. J. and R. M. Sibly, A review of the phenomenon of neophobia (1999); Beny Y, Kimchi T (2014) Innate and learned aspects of pheromone-mediated social behaviours. Anim Behav 97:301-311; Hurst JL, Robertson DHL, Tolladay U, Beynon RJ (1998) Proteins in uriñe scent marks of male house mice extend the longevity of olfactory signáis. Anim Behav 55: 1289-1297; Jemiolo B, Harvey S, Novotny M (1986) Promotion of the Whitten effect in female mice by synthetic analogs of male urinary constituents. Proc Nati Acad Sci USA 83:4576-4579; Liebich HM, Zlatkis A, Bertsch W, Van Dahm R, Whitten WK (1977) Identification of dihydrothiazoles in uriñe of male mice. Biol Mass Spectrum 4:69-72; Mucignat-Caretta C (2002) Modulation of exploratory behavior in female mice by proteinborne male urinary molecules.J Chem Ecol 28: 1853-1863; Mucignat-Caretta C, Caretta A (1999) Chemical signáis in male house mice uriñe: protein-bound molecules modulate interactions between sexes. Behaviour 136:331-343; y Novotny MV (2003) Pheromones, binding proteins and receptor responses in rodents. Biochem Soc Trans 31 (Pt 1): 117—122. As used herein, all percentages (%) are weight percentages of the total composition, also expressed as w / w%, % (w / w), w / w, w / w%, or simply %, unless otherwise stated. Also, as used herein, the terms "wet" refer to relative percentages of the composition in a dispersion medium (e.g., water); and "dry" refers to relative percentages of the dry composition prior to the addition of the dispersion medium. In other words, dry percentages are those present without taking the dispersion medium into account. "When mixed" refers to the composition with the added dispersion medium. Wet weight percentage, or similar, is the weight in a wet mixture; and dry weight percentage, or similar, is the weight percentage in a dry composition without the dispersion medium.Unless otherwise stated, the percentages (%) used herein are dry weight percentages based on the weight of the total composition. The dimensions and values ​​described herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​mentioned. Preferably, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is proposed to signify both the value mentioned and a functionally equivalent interval surrounding that value. It is understood that each maximum numerical limitation given throughout this description includes each lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly stated herein. Each minimum numerical limitation given throughout this description includes each upper numerical limitation, as if such upper numerical limitations were expressly stated herein. Each numerical interval given throughout this description includes each narrower numerical interval that falls within such wider numerical interval, as if such narrower numerical intervals were all expressly stated herein. Each document cited herein, including any related or cross-referenced patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is the prior art of the applicant with respect to any invention described or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference(s), shows, suggests, or describes such invention. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to such term in the document shall prevail. The foregoing description of the forms and examples has been presented for illustrative purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in view of the foregoing teachings. Some of these modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The forms are chosen and described to illustrate various forms. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples or forms set forth herein, but may be employed in any number of equivalent applications and articles by those of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, it is intended that the scope be defined by the appended claims hereto. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A composition for attracting a mouse characterized in that it comprises: one or more long-range volatiles comprising butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 4-heptanone, and 3-methylbutyric acid; and one or more short-range volatiles; and wherein one or more long-range volatiles are isolated, synthetic, or purified.

2. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more long-range volatiles comprise butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and 4-heptanone.

3. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more long-range volatiles comprise approximately 91% by weight of butyric acid, approximately 9% by weight of 2-methylbutyric acid, and approximately 0.32% by weight of 4-heptanone.

4. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more long-range volatiles comprise approximately 2.8 mg of butyric acid, approximately 0.28 mg of 2-methylbutyric acid, and approximately 0.1 mg of 4-heptanone.

5. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it releases each one or more long-range volatiles in an amount substantially similar to the amount emanating from the excrement of a female mouse's bedding during a 24-hour period.

6. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it releases approximately 450 ng of butyric acid, 32 ng of 2-methylbutyric acid, and 70 ng of 4-heptanone over a period of approximately 24 hours.

7. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more short-range volatiles comprise a steroidal additive.

8. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more short-range volatiles comprise one or more progesterone and estradiol (estrogen).

9. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a lethal agent.

10. The composition according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a dose of the lethal agent sufficient to kill or immobilize a mouse.

11. The composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the lethal agent comprises a chemical capable of killing or immobilizing a mouse.

12. The composition according to claim 11, characterized in that the chemical comprises one or more of an anticoagulant and a toxicant.

13. The composition according to claim 12, characterized in that the anticoagulant comprises one or more of warfarin ((RS)-4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2L-chromen-2-one), chlorophacinone (2-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-oxo-2-phenylethyl]indan-1,3-dione), diphacinone (2-(diphenylacetyl)-1H-inden-1,3(2H)-dione), bromadiolone (3[3-[4-(4-bromophenyl)phenyl]-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpropyl]-2-hydroxychromen-4-one), difethialone (3-(3-(4-(4-bromophenyl)phenyl]-1-tetralynyl]-2-hydroxy-4-thiochromenone), and brodifacoum (3-[3-[4-(4-bromophenyl)phenyl]-l,2,3,4tetrahydronaphthalen-l-yl]-2-hydroxychromen-4-one).

14. The composition according to claim 12, characterized in that the toxicant comprises one or more of bromethalin (N-methyl-2,4-dinitro-6(trifluoromethyl)-N-(2',4',6'-tribromophenyl)aniline), cholecalciferol ((3β,5L,7E)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-pee l Ln / nznz / E / YiAi 3-ol), zinc phosphide (zinc phosphide / trizinc diphosphide), and strychnine (strychnidin-10-one).

15. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a granule, a powder, a solid block, a gel, a paste, a liquid, or a combination thereof.

16. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a food bait.

17. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it attracts at least one male mouse.

18. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it attracts at least 3 times more male mice than a composition comprising one or more short-range volatiles and is substantially free of one or more long-range volatiles.

19. A method for attracting a mouse, characterized in that it comprises: providing the composition according to claim 1; wherein the composition attracts at least 3 times more male mice than a composition comprising one or more short-range volatiles and is substantially free of one or more long-range volatiles.

20. A device for attracting a mouse, characterized in that it comprises: a housing or a trap; and the composition according to claim 1; wherein the composition is adjacent to, or included within, the housing or trap.