Pest control bait

Abstract

This pest control bait comprises an attracting component, an animal oil / fat as the base oil, a thickener, and an insecticidal component.

Description

Pest control bait

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pest control baits.

[0002] In recent years, invasive species of ants such as Argentine ants and fire ants have been found in various places in Japan and abroad. Argentine ants are highly reproductive and aggressive, and there are concerns that they may drive out native species and have an impact on the ecosystem. Argentine ants are also known as nuisance pests, as they invade indoors and disrupt daily life.

[0003] Bait (poison bait) is known as one method for controlling social pests such as ants. It attracts ants, who then carry the bait back to their nest and distribute it to other adults and larvae within the nest, thereby eradicating the entire nest.

[0004] With regard to pest control baits, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for producing poison bait for ants, which is characterized by mixing components including at least an insecticide, sucrose, glycerin, starch syrup, and powder until it becomes a gel or paste without adding gelatin and without heating or cooling, with the aim of producing a poison bait that easily attracts ants and has a moistness that ants like, that is less likely to drip during transportation or use, and that can be obtained inexpensively by reducing the costs required for production.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a pest bait for applying an insecticidal component to pests, which is characterized by containing an edible component containing at least a sugar and a repellent component that repels beneficial insects.

[0006] Patent Document 1: JP 2014-77016 A Patent Document 2: JP 2022-54757 A

[0007] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose the use of baits in containers such as resin cases that are water-resistant and weather-resistant. When the bait is placed in a container, the container must be removed after a certain period of time. Furthermore, when the bait is solid, it has a low attractant effect, and even if it is in a jelly form, it dries easily and solidifies, which reduces the attractant effect.

[0008] The present disclosure aims to provide a pest control bait that prevents a decrease in attracting effect even when placed outdoors without being placed in a container, and does not require the work of recovering the container.

[0009] The above problems are solved by the following means. <1> A pest control bait comprising an attractant component, an animal fat base oil, a thickener, and an insecticidal component. <2> The pest control bait according to <1>, which is in a grease-like form with an unmixed penetration at 5 to 60°C in the range of 85 to 440. <3> The pest control bait according to <1> or <2>, wherein the animal fat is a dewaxed animal fat. <4> The pest control bait according to any one of <1> to <3>, further comprising a bitter component.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a pest control bait is provided that prevents a decrease in attracting effect even when placed outdoors without being placed in a container, and does not require the container to be recovered.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pest control bait according to the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, the pest control bait may be simply referred to as a "bait."

[0012] The pest control bait according to the present disclosure comprises an attractant component, an animal fat base oil, a thickener, and an insecticidal component. That is, the bait according to the present disclosure is greased by including an animal fat base oil and a thickener in addition to the attractant component and the insecticidal component. Such greased baits are water-resistant (hard to dissolve in rain, etc.) and weather-resistant (hard to dry out and hard to dissolve even in summer), and can be placed directly in the location where pests such as ants are to be exterminated without being placed in a container such as a plastic case. After being placed outdoors, the bait according to the present disclosure maintains its semi-solid state regardless of rain or ambient temperature, preventing a decrease in its attractant effect. Furthermore, since the bait is in a grease-like form, it is easier for pests to ingest it than solid baits, thereby enhancing its attractant effect. While the reason why the grease-like form of the bait enhances its attractant effect is unclear, it is speculated that the use of animal fat as the base oil makes it easier for the attractant component to disperse. Each component will be described below.

[0013] (Attracting component) The attracting component is a component that can attract pests to the bait and make them eat it, and can be selected according to the pests to be exterminated.For example, sugars such as fish meal, cricket meal, black soldier fly meal, glucose, fructose, galactose, maltose, sucrose, dextrin, granulated sugar, brown sugar, brown sugar, white sugar, etc., fruit juice powders such as apple, pear, pear, grapefruit, orange, lemon, grape, strawberry, pineapple, mango, lychee, kiwi, peach, blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, passion fruit, blueberry, banana, etc.; alanine, glycine, valine, asparagus Examples of suitable attractants include amino acids such as lactic acid and glutamic acid; plants or plant seeds such as sesame, beans, millet, barnyard millet, onion, and pumpkin seeds; vegetable powders such as cornstarch, soybean flour, sweet potato powder, starch, wheat flour, rice bran, bran, and mashed potato flour; oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, and sesame oil; peanut paste, honeycomb, beef, eggs, krill, shrimp, cheese, meat, fish, cottonseed, and honey wax secreted by aphids and scale insects. These components may be used alone or in combination of two or more. For example, black soldier fly powder and sucrose may be used in combination as attractants, or sucrose alone may be used.

[0014] The amount of the attractant component is not particularly limited, but if the amount is too small, the attractant effect on pests will be insufficient, and if the amount is too large, the amount of components other than the attractant component will be insufficient, resulting in insufficient insecticidal effect or insufficient greasing. From this perspective, the attractant component is preferably contained in the bait in an amount of 1 to 50% by mass, more preferably 10 to 45% by mass.

[0015] (Insecticidal component) As the insecticidal component, an insecticide that does not have a negative effect on the feeding habits of pests (repellency) may be selected depending on the pests to be exterminated.Specific examples of the insecticidal component include pyrethrum extract, natural pyrethrin, prallethrin, imiprothrin, phthalthrin, allethrin, transfluthrin, resmethrin, fenothrin, cyphenothrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, ethofenprox, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, fenvalerate, fenpropathrin, silafluofen, metofluthrin, profluthrin, tralomethrin, and acrinathrin. pyrethroid compounds such as fenitrothion, diazinon, malathion, pyridaphenthion, prothiofos, phoxim, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, dichlorophenthion, tetrachlorvinphos, and propetamphos; organohalogen compounds such as silafluofen; carbamate compounds such as carbaryl, propoxur, methomyl, thiodicarb, and fenobucarb; oxadiazole compounds such as metoxadiazone; neonicotinoid compounds such as dinotefuran, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and nitenpyram; phenylpyrazole compounds such as fipronil and pyriprole; pyrrole compounds such as chlorfenapyr; sulfonamide compounds such as amidoflumet; methoprene, hydroprene, pyriproxyfen, diflubenzuron, triflumuron, teflubenzuron, chlorfluazuron, and flufe Examples of suitable insecticidal components include insect growth regulators such as noxuron, hexaflumuron, and cyromazine; amidinohydrazone compounds such as hydramethylnon; oxadiazine compounds such as indoxacarb, and metadiamide compounds such as broflanilide; insecticidal essential oils such as benzyl alcohol and peppermint oil; boric acid, borax, chlorfenapyr, and isomers or derivatives thereof; and synergists such as piperonyl butoxide, sinepirin 500, sinepirin 222, and S-421. Depending on the species of pest to be controlled, one insecticidal component may be used alone, or two or more insecticidal components may be used in combination.

[0016] Insecticidal ingredients can be selected based on whether they are fast-acting or slow-acting, depending on the target of extermination. For example, when carrying insecticides to nests like ants to exterminate the entire nest, it is preferable to use a slow-acting insecticide. A slow-acting insecticide is an insecticide that can function for a certain period of time when it comes into contact with or is eaten by a pest, but will die after a certain period of time has passed. Examples of slow-acting insecticides that do not adversely affect feeding behavior include phenylpyrazole insecticides such as fipronil, carbamate insecticides such as carbaryl and propoxur, neonicotinoid insecticides such as dinotefuran, clothianidin, and imidacloprid, and boric acid. Of these, fipronil is preferred. Boric acid can also be used as a preservative.

[0017] The content of the insecticidal component in the bait according to the present disclosure may be selected based on the pest to be controlled and the effective amount of the insecticidal component to be used. While it depends on the insecticidal component, it is preferable to include the component in the bait in a range of, for example, 0.001 to 1% by mass. For example, when using fipronil against ants, the bait can contain fipronil in a range of 0.001 to 0.05% by mass, preferably 0.002 to 0.01% by mass. Furthermore, when using dinotefuran against centipedes, the bait can contain dinotefuran in a range of 0.1 to 1% by mass, preferably 0.2 to 1% by mass.

[0018] (Animal fat base oil) The pest control bait according to the present disclosure contains animal fat as the base oil. Examples of animal fat include aquatic animal fats such as fish oil and whale oil, and terrestrial animal fats such as beef tallow, lard (pork fat), mutton tallow, and beef leg oil. From the viewpoints of weather resistance and moldability, animal fats that are solid at room temperature (23°C) are preferred, and from the viewpoints of availability and attractant properties, lard and beef tallow are more suitable. The melting point of lard is 33 to 46°C, and the melting point of beef tallow is 40 to 50°C. Therefore, if lard and / or beef tallow are used as the base oil, the bait is likely to remain in a grease-like state even in environments where the temperature is 30°C or higher.

[0019] On the other hand, animal fats contain wax components, which may solidify in low-temperature environments, preventing the release of attractant components and reducing the attractant effect of the bait. Therefore, it is preferable to use dewaxed animal fats as the base oil. Known dewaxing methods can be applied, for example, a method in which the animal fat is cooled to precipitate components that solidify at low temperatures (wax components), and then the wax components are removed by filtration. If such dewaxed animal fats are used as the base oil, solidification of the base oil is suppressed even in low-temperature environments, and high attractant properties can be exhibited.

[0020] The content of animal fats and oils (base oil) varies depending on the type of animal fat and oil used, but if it is too low, the bait will be difficult to grease, and if it is too high, the contents of the attractant and insecticidal components will be relatively low, resulting in a decrease in the attractant and insecticidal effects.Depending on the type of animal fat and oil, the content of animal fat and oil in the bait is preferably 20 to 90% by mass, and more preferably 40 to 85% by mass.

[0021] (Thickener) A thickener is a component that disperses finely in a base oil to form a stable three-dimensional structure, turning the base oil into a semi-solid (grease-like) state, and also affects water resistance, etc. The bait agent according to the present disclosure can be made into a grease-like (semi-solid) state by including animal fats and oils (base oil) and a thickener.

[0022] Thickeners include low molecular weight gelling agents and inorganic substances such as bentonite, silica gel, and silica (hydrophobic or hydrophilic). Low molecular weight gelling agents include metal soaps such as lithium soap, calcium soap, sodium soap, and aluminum soap, complex metal soaps, complex sulfonic acid metal salts, oil waxes, urea compounds, glutamic acid derivatives, salts of dehydroabietic acid, inulin esters, and dextrin esters. Many bentonite, silica gel, and silica are derived from minerals, and many contain crystalline silica, a carcinogenic substance. Amorphous silica is also available and is preferred as a thickener. The thickener varies depending on the type of base oil, but hydrophilic silica and lithium soap are preferred.

[0023] The oil wax preferably has a melting point of 50°C or higher depending on the conditions of use, and is preferably derived from animals or plants rather than petroleum.Specific examples include stearic acid, 12-hydroxystearic acid, hydrogenated beef tallow oil, hydrogenated lard oil, beeswax, pine resin, privet wax, rice wax, carnauba wax, hydrogenated castor oil, sunflower wax, extremely hydrogenated rapeseed oil, hydrogenated jojoba oil, high-strength hydrogenated soybean oil, candelilla wax, and white wax.

[0024] The content of the thickener in the bait varies depending on the affinity with the animal fats and oils (base oil) and the hardness required for the bait, but is, for example, 5 to 30% by mass in the bait.

[0025] (Other Components) In addition to the attractant component, animal fat base oil, thickener, and insecticidal component described above, the bait according to the present disclosure may contain other components to the extent that they do not significantly interfere with the effects of each of these components. Examples of other components include bitter components, antioxidants, preservatives, antiseptics, pigments, pH adjusters, etc.

[0026] The inclusion of a bitter component can prevent accidental ingestion by animals such as pets. An example of a bitter component (an agent for preventing accidental ingestion) is denatonium benzoate.

[0027] Examples of antioxidants (oxidation stabilizers) include erythorbic acid and its salts, dibutylhydroxytoluene, dl-α-tocopherol (vitamin E), nordihydroguaiaretic acid, methylhydroxyanisole, propyl gallate, guaiac butter, L-cysteine ​​salts, etc. The content of the antioxidant in the bait is, for example, 0.01 to 1% by mass.

[0028] Examples of preservatives include benzoic acid and its salts, salicylic acid, diphenyl, sorbic acid and its salts, dehydroacetic acid and its salts, parahydroxybenzoic acid esters, sodium propionate, potassium propionate, phenoxyethanol, and cetylpyridinium chloride.

[0029] Examples of the coloring matter include tar-based coloring matter such as Yellow No. 4, Red No. 102, and Blue No. 1, and caramel.

[0030] Examples of pH adjusters include citric acid and hydrogen phosphate.

[0031] 5°C is the minimum temperature for ant activity and the pour point of dewaxed lard. 60°C is the maximum temperature of asphalt in summer. The range of 5 to 60°C is the expected temperature range for outdoor environments. Consistency (unmixed) is an index that indicates the hardness of a grease; a value below 85 indicates that the grease is too solid and hard, resulting in poor attractant properties, while a value above 440 indicates that the grease is too liquid and soft, lacking stability. Therefore, the pest control bait disclosed herein is preferably a grease-like bait with a temperature consistency (unmixed) of 85 to 440 at 5 to 60°C. Here, the temperature consistency (unmixed) at 5 to 60°C is a value measured using a JIS K2220 consistency meter.

[0032] (Method for manufacturing bait) The method for manufacturing the bait according to the present disclosure is not particularly limited, and can be manufactured by blending predetermined amounts of an attractant component selected according to the target pest insect, an animal fat base oil, a thickener, an insecticidal component, and other components as needed, and kneading them to form a grease-like substance. The manufactured bait can be filled into a tube or the like and stored. Since the bait according to the present disclosure does not need to be placed in individual containers such as plastic cases, it is easy to manufacture and manufacturing costs can be kept low.

[0033] (Pests to be Controlled) Pests to be controlled by the bait according to the present disclosure are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include ants, bees, cockroaches, centipedes, millipedes, pill bugs, woodlice, caterpillars, and mites.

[0034] (Method of Use) The bait according to the present disclosure is greased by containing an animal fat base oil and a thickener in addition to the attractant and insecticidal components, and is water-resistant and weather-resistant. The method of use of the bait according to the present disclosure is not particularly limited; for example, the bait is filled into a tube and an arbitrary amount is dispensed by squeezing it out of the tube at the location where pests such as ants are to be exterminated. Because the bait according to the present disclosure is based on oil (animal fat), it repels water and does not dissolve even when exposed to rainwater after being placed outdoors, and it also does not dissolve even in hot summer environments, maintaining a semi-solid state, preventing a decrease in attractant effectiveness. Furthermore, it biodegrades over time, eliminating the need for container recovery. The placement location of the bait according to the present disclosure can be determined depending on the pest to be exterminated, and is not limited to outdoors; it can also be placed indoors.

[0035] Examples of pest control baits according to the present disclosure will be described below. Note that the following examples do not limit the pest control baits according to the present disclosure.

[0036] [Example 1] (Materials Used) Baits were prepared using the following materials, and their attracting effects on Argentine ants were investigated. Attractant components: fish meal, cricket meal, black soldier fly meal, sucrose, animal fats and oils (base oil): lard, beef tallow, thickener: hydrophilic silica, insecticide component: fipronil, oxidation stabilizer: vitamin E, and anti-ingestion agent: denatonium benzoate.

[0037] <Test Method> (Preliminary Survey) Cotton soaked in sucrose was placed in several places on the ground and left for 60 minutes, and feeding by Argentine ants was confirmed.

[0038] (Attraction test) Grease-type bait samples were prepared by mixing the ingredients shown in Table 1. The consistency (unmixed) at temperatures between 5 and 60°C was 85 to 440. Each bait sample was left in a location where feeding by Argentine ants had been confirmed in a preliminary survey, and after 120 minutes, the attractiveness to Argentine ants was confirmed visually. A: High attractive effect was observed. B: Attractive effect was observed. C: Attractive effect was partially observed. D: No attractive effect was observed.

[0039]

[0040] All samples were confirmed to be partially attractive to Argentine ants.

[0041] (Attraction duration test) Grease-type bait samples were prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 2. The consistency (unmixed) at temperatures between 5 and 60°C was 85 to 440. The bait samples were left in locations where feeding by Argentine ants had been confirmed in a preliminary survey, and the attractiveness to Argentine ants was visually confirmed 14 days later.

[0042]

[0043] Even after leaving the sample for 14 days, a high attractant effect was observed.

[0044] (Argentine Ant Extermination Test 1) The components shown in Table 3 were mixed to prepare a grease-type bait sample.

[0045]

[0046] The bait sample was placed in a polystyrene case and placed near a location where Argentine ants had been confirmed to be feeding in a preliminary survey, and the conditions inside the case were confirmed. Details are as follows: A φ5mm hole was drilled in the top of the polystyrene case to allow ventilation. The bait sample and absorbent cotton were placed inside the polystyrene case to moisten it and allow for hydration. A paper rag (trade name: Kimwipe) was sandwiched between the case body and the top to prevent ants entering the case from escaping through the air hole. The polystyrene case containing the bait sample was placed in a location protected from direct sunlight and rain. Another case containing a blank sample without any insecticide ingredients was also placed in the same way.

[0047] When the containers were inspected two days after installation, several dead Argentine ants were found in the containers containing the insecticide-containing bait samples, while no dead ants were found in the containers containing the blank samples.

[0048] ​(Argentine Ant Extermination Test 2) Grease-type bait samples were prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 4. The consistency (unmixed) at temperatures of 5 to 60°C was 85 to 440.

[0049]

[0050] Samples were prepared immediately after preparation (undegraded sample), one week after preparation (one-week degraded sample), and two weeks after preparation (two-week degraded sample), and each sample was placed in a polystyrene case in the same manner as in Argentine Ant Extinction Test 1, and placed near the location where feeding by Argentine ants had been confirmed in the preliminary survey. Another case was also set up in the same way, containing a blank sample that did not contain any insecticide, and the conditions inside each case were confirmed.

[0051] Observation of each case four days after installation confirmed that approximately 10 dead Argentine ants were found in each case containing the insecticidal bait sample. Meanwhile, no dead ants were found in the case containing the blank sample. Even after two weeks in an open, wind-exposed environment following preparation of the bait according to the present disclosure, the same level of extermination effect against Argentine ants was observed as with the undegraded product, suggesting that the grease formulation prolongs the extermination effect.

[0052] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-126612, filed on August 2, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A pest control bait comprising an attractant, an animal fat base oil, a thickener, and an insecticide.

2. The pest control bait according to claim 1, which is in the form of a grease having an unmixed penetration at 5 to 60° C. in the range of 85 to 440.

3. The pest control bait according to claim 1, wherein the animal fat is a dewaxed animal fat.

4. The pest control bait according to claim 2, wherein the animal fat is a dewaxed animal fat.

5. The pest control bait according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a bitter component.

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