Systems and methods for termite control

Abstract

Provided here are methods and systems related to the manufacture and use of a cartridge-based termite control device for controlling termite populations. The cartridge-based termite control device includes a housing that defines an interior cavity and includes openings through which termites enter and exit the interior cavity. The interior cavity contains a reticulated polyurethane foam cartridge impregnated with one or more pesticide active ingredients effective against termites. The housing of the cartridge-based termite control device may be disposed about the perimeter of a structure and the cartridge loaded into the interior cavity. As such, termites enter the cartridge-based termite control device, interact with the cartridge to be exposed to the pesticide active ingredients, exit the cartridge-based termite control device, and then return to expose other termites of the termite colony. Subsequently, the pesticide active ingredients eliminate the exposed termites, reducing the size of the termite colony.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TERMITE CONTROLCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to German Patent Application No. 102024 001 794.1 filed June 3, 2024. The contents of the foregoing application are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for termite control, preferably using a cartridge-based termite control device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to, among other embodiments, systems and methods for manufacturing and using a cartridge-based termite control device having a pesticide-impregnated, reticulated foam for inhibiting or eradicating the activity of termite populations.BACKGROUND

[0003] Termites are responsible for substantial damage to structures each year, causing an estimated $5 billion in property damage each year within the U.S., including both commercial and residential structures. As such, property owners often invest substantial time and money to prevent and irradicate termite infestations within structures. For example, one method of controlling termites involves spraying an insecticide having insecticidal action against termites on the soil under a building floor or on a concrete foundation surface to prevent termites from entering a structure for a certain number of years and to kill the termites that enter the structure. However, this approach can raise concerns about exposure of workers and occupants to the insecticide during and after application in and around the structure. Additionally, certain structures and environments are not conducive to insecticidal spraying. Furthermore, once an insecticide has been sprayed in a given area, the insecticide generally remains in the area and is not easily removed.

[0004] Another termite control method involves embedding a termite attracting device in outdoor soil, and after confirming the capture of termites, replacing a substrate that termites can consume (e.g., a cellulose substrate) with bait that is loaded with an insecticide having insecticidal action against termites to eradicate the colony through termite nutrient replacement. However, thisapproach necessitates frequent checks on the device, for example, to detect termite infestation and to replace the substrate. Both consumption and fouling can reduce the longevity of the bait for such termite attracting devices. Therefore, there are challenges to widespread adoption, primarily due to increased labor, which imposes an enhanced cost burden associated with providing termite control.SUMMARY

[0005] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, among others, Applicant has developed new devices, systems and methods related to the manufacture and use of a reticulated foam member for the control of termites. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge-based termite control device for controlling termite populations. The cartridge-based termite control device includes a housing that defines an interior cavity and includes openings through which termites can enter and exit the interior cavity. The interior cavity is designed to contain a reticulated foam member impregnated with one or more pesticide active ingredients effective for the control of termites. In certain embodiments, the interior cavity is designed to contain a removable and replaceable cartridge comprising a reticulated foam member that is impregnated with one or more pesticide active ingredients effective for termite control. In certain embodiments, the one or more pesticide active ingredients may be a non-repellent pesticide and / or comprise one or more slow-acting pesticide active ingredients.

[0006] The housing of the cartridge-based termite control device may be disposed about the perimeter of a structure. In certain embodiments, the housing may be configured to contained and / or receive a reticulated foam member impregnated with one or more pesticide active ingredients effective for the control of termites. In certain embodiments, the housing may be configured such that a cartridge comprising the reticulated foam member may be loaded into the interior cavity of the housing. As such, termites can enter the cartridge-based termite control device, interact with the reticulated foam member cartridge to be exposed to the one or more pesticide active ingredients, exit the cartridge-based termite control device, and then return to the termite colony. Subsequently, these exposed termites come into contact with other termites of the termite colony, exposing the other termites to the one or more pesticide active ingredients, which eventually kill the exposed termites, reducing the size of the termite colony or eradicating the termite colony completely. While discussed herein in the particular context of termite control, it may be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, the devices and techniques disclosed herein canbe applied to the treatment and control of other crawling insects (e g., ants, silverfish). Compared with other termite control techniques, such as pesticide spraying, the cartridge-based termite control device enables more precise control of the location of the pesticide active ingredients, the ability to remove the pesticide active ingredients after deployment, enhanced longevity of the pesticide active ingredients, and enhanced ease of use, among others.

[0007] In certain embodiments, the removable and replaceable cartridge may comprise a reticulated foam member that is formed from one or more layers of a reticulated foam material impregnated with the one or more pesticide active ingredients. In certain embodiments, the reticulated foam member may be a reticulated polymer foam member. The reticulated foam member offers a number of advantages over other cartridge designs. For example, the reticulated foam member provides a three-dimensional structure that the termites can traverse, increasing the exposure of the termites to the one or more pesticide active ingredients compared to a two- dimensional structure. The reticulated foam member requires less material to fabricate than a ridged, three-dimensional cartridge, which reduces costs and environmental impact. The reticulated foam member is preferably sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible to enable the impregnation of the one or more pesticide active ingredients using a suitable impregnation process, such as a spraying process, a foulard process, or a padder process. This enables high volume production of the reticulated foam member at reduced cost, while also enabling effective and uniform loading of the one or more pesticide active ingredients onto the interior and exterior surfaces of the reticulated foam member. The properties of the reticulated foam member (e g., cell size, net density, surface area, void volume) can be tuned to encourage termites to traverse a sufficient portion of the reticulated foam member to ensure adequate exposure to the one or more pesticide active ingredients. This is an important advantage, as the properties of the reticulated foam cartridge can be selected and / or modified to ensure that the cartridge will be accepted by the termites. Another advantage is the commercial availability of the reticulated foam, as large volumes are produced for other industries, making the reticulated foam a cost-effective solution. Additionally, the flexibility of the reticulated foam member enables the use of irregular shaped housings, such as housings that include bends or curves, for example, to follow a bend or curvature in the perimeter of the structure. Moreover, its flexibility enables the reticulated foam cartridge to be tightly loaded within a rigid housing without needing to be precise with dimensions of the foam cartridge and / or the housing. In other words, the reticulated foam cartridge enables enhancedflexibility with respect to dimensional tolerances during the manufacture of the cartridge and / or the housing, reducing manufacturing costs and difficulty and reducing the volume of products discarded due to imprecise dimensional tolerances. The compressibility of the reticulated foam member enables the reticulated foam member to be compressed prior to be sealed within a packaging, which substantially reduces the volume of the compressed, packaged reticulated foam member. This enables a reduction in the volume occupied by the reticulated foam member when being shipped or stored prior to use. In some embodiments, the packaging may be reusable, and a spent reticulated foam member that is removed from the housing after a predetermined amount of deployment time may be compressed and sealed within the reusable packaging to the volume of the spent reticulated foam member, and the packaged spent reticulated foam member may be shipped to a remanufacturing or recycling facility for remanufacturing or recycling.

[0008] Embodiments disclosed herein include devices for termite control, as well as methods of manufacturing and methods of use of such termite control devices. One such device includes a reticulated foam member for control of termites. The reticulated foam member comprises one or more pesticide active ingredients and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells. The foam cell structure is operable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another.

[0009] In some embodiments, the reticulated foam member comprises a cell size of from about 5 pores per inch (ppi) to about 15 ppi. In some embodiments, the reticulated foam member comprises a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.25 square meters per liter (m2 / L) to about 5 m2 / L, in which from 70% to about 99.5% of a total volume of the reticulated foam member is void volume. In some embodiments, the one or more pesticide active ingredients are impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a foulard machine or a padder machine, and the reticulated foam member is sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible so that it is operable to pass through a foulard machine or a padder machine and substantially retain its foam cell structure. In some embodiments, the reticulated foam member comprises a polyester-polyurethane foam or a polyether-polyurethane foam. In some embodiments, the one or more pesticide active ingredients may be one or more slow-acting pesticide active ingredients. Non-limiting examples of pesticide active ingredients may include, but are not limited to, a phenyl pyrazole insecticide active ingredient, a diamide insecticide, a mesoionic insecticide, a neonicotinoid insecticide, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the reticulated foam member comprises from about 0.05 weight percent (wt.%) to about 1 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients basedon the weight of the reticulated foam member. In some embodiments, the reticulated foam member comprises from about 0.5 wt.% to about 0.9 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated foam member. In some embodiments, the reticulated foam member forms at least a portion of a reticulated foam cartridge operable to be received in an interior cavity of a housing, the housing comprising an exterior surface and one or more openings in the exterior surface operable to allow termites to enter the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the reticulated foam cartridge before exiting the housing through the one or more openings. In some embodiments, after being disposed for six months within the housing in an outdoor environment, the reticulated foam cartridge comprises at least 0.05 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated foam member.

[0010] One such method includes a method of manufacturing. The method includes exposing a reticulated polyurethane foam to an impregnation solution. The impregnation solution comprises a wetting agent and a water-soluble or water-dispersible pesticide active ingredient having insecticidal action against termites. The method includes compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam to remove excess impregnation solution. The method includes drying the reticulated polyurethane foam at elevated temperature to yield a pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0011] In some embodiments, the exposing and compressing steps are performed using a foulard impregnation system or a padder impregnation system. In some embodiments, compressing comprises compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam between two counter-rotating rollers at a speed from about 0.5 meters per minute (m / min) to about 10 m / min, in which a pressure applied to the reticulated polyurethane foam is from about 1 bar to about 10 bar. In some embodiments, the impregnation solution comprises from about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of fipronil as the pesticide active ingredient. In some embodiments, the impregnation solution comprises from about 0.01 wt.% to about 1 wt.% of the wetting agent, or from about 0.25 wt.% to about 2 wt.% of the wetting agent, based on the weight of the impregnation solution. In some embodiments, the impregnation solution comprises from about 0.05 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of binder polymer solids. In some embodiments, the impregnation solution comprises from about 0.01 wt.% to about 0.05 wt.% of a biocide that prevents microbial growth. In some embodiments, the impregnation solution is substantially free of volatile organic solvents. In some embodiments, drying comprises heating the reticulated polyurethane foam, for instance, from about 75 degrees Celsius (°C) to about 150°C. The drying can, for instance, be for a length of time from about 0.5 minutes to about 10 minutes. After drying, the reticulated polyurethane foam can include about 0.8 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated foam member. In some embodiments, the method includes stacking multiple layers of the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam to form a reticulated foam cartridge of a cartridge-based termite control device.

[0012] Another such method includes a method of use. The method includes positioning a termite control device in an outdoor area, the termite control device comprising a housing with one or more openings and an interior cavity. The method includes disposing a reticulated foam cartridge within the interior cavity of the housing, the reticulated foam cartridge comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients effective to control termites and a foam cell structure operable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another. The one or more openings in the housing are operable to allow termites to enter from an exterior of the housing into the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the reticulated foam cartridge before exiting the housing through the one or more openings. The reticulated foam cartridge is operable to expose termites that enter the housing to the one or more pesticide active ingredients such that the termites that exit the housing transmit the one or more pesticide active ingredients to a termite colony and inhibit or eradicate the termite colony.

[0013] In some embodiments, positioning the termite control device in the outdoor area comprises at least partially burying the housing in soil such that at least a portion of the one or more openings are buried in the soil. In certain embodiments, positioning the termite control device in an outdoor area may include at least partially burying the housing in the soil such that one or more openings are completely buried in the soil. In some embodiments, the method includes positioning a plurality of termite control devices in the outdoor area near a base of, and along a perimeter of, a structure, such that each of the plurality of termite control devices is spaced from about 0.5 meters (m) to about 3 m apart along the perimeter of the structure, and disposing a respective reticulated foam cartridge within a respective interior of the housing of each of the plurality of termite control devices.

[0014] Aspects and advantages of these exemplary embodiments and other embodiments, are discussed in detail herein. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing information and the following detailed description provide merely illustrative examples of various aspects andembodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and embodiments. Accordingly, these and other objects, along with advantages and features of the present disclosure, will become apparent through reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and may exist in various combinations and permutations.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain principles of the embodiments discussed herein. No attempt is made to show structural details of this disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the embodiments discussed herein and the various ways in which they may be practiced. According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate embodiments of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a housing of a cartridge-based termite control device, according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of another cartridge-based termite control device, according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a cross-sectional view of the cartridge-based termite control device illustrated in FIG. 2 after deployment, according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a method of deploying the cartridge-based termite control device to control termites and to protect a structure from termite infestation and damage, according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a cartridge-based termite control system that includes a set of cartridge-based termite control devices deployed about the perimeter of a structure, according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic representation of a packaged reticulated foam cartridge, according to an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 6B is a diagrammatic representation of an uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge after being removed from the packaging, according to an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 6C is a photographic representation of reticulated foam cartridge, according to an embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a method of manufacturing the reticulated foam cartridge, according to an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a foulard machine that is used to impregnate the reticulated polyurethane foam using a foulard impregnation process, according to an embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a padder machine that is used to impregnate the reticulated polyurethane foam using a foulard impregnation process, according to an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a graphical representation of the mortality rate as a function of time for a first experimental example involving forced contact of termites with fipronil-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam, according to an embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a graphical representation of the donor-side mortality rate as a function of time for a second experimental example involving transfer effects between termites and fipronil- impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam, according to an embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a graphical representation of the recipient-side mortality rate as a function of time for the second experimental example involving transfer effects between termites and fipronil- impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam, according to an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a graphical representation of the mortality rate as a function of time for a third experimental example involving continuous contact between termites and fipronil-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam, according to an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present disclosure describes various embodiments related to systems and methods for manufacturing and using a cartridge-based termite control device having a pesticide- impregnated, reticulated foam for inhibiting or eradicating the activity of termite populations. The description may use the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in an embodiment,” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as usedwith respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous. The term “plurality” as used herein refers to two or more items or components. The terms “about” or “approximately” are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment, these terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.

[0032] The terms “removing,” “removed,” “reducing,” “reduced,” or any variation thereof, when used in the claims and / or the specification includes any measurable decrease of one or more components in a mixture to achieve a desired result. The use of the words “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with any of the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” or “having,” in the claims or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The terms “wt.%”, “vol.%”, or “mol.%” refers to a weight, volume, or molar percentage of a component, respectively, based on the total weight, the total volume of material, or total moles, which includes the component. In a non-limiting example, 10 grams of component in 100 grams of the material is 10 wt.% of component. As used herein, the terms “impregnation”, “impregnated”, and the like, refers to one or more pesticide active ingredients being coated on (e.g., applied to, adhered to, bonded onto) both the exterior surface area and the interior surface area of a reticulated foam member, or blended into the polymer material of the reticulated foam member so as to be present the exterior surface area and the interior surface area of a reticulated foam member, or a combination thereof. As used herein, “slow-acting pesticide active ingredients” refer to the active ingredients of one or more pesticides or insecticides that do not immediately kill the exposed insects (e.g., within seconds or minutes of exposure), but rather kill the exposed insects hours or days after exposure, or after the insects are no longer in contact with the reticulated foam cartridge or the cartridge-based termite control device.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a housing 100 of an embodiment of a cartridge-based termite control device 102. The housing 100 includes a cover 104 and a body 106. The body 106 of the housing 100 defines an interior cavity 108 that is designed to receive a reticulated foam cartridge, as discussed below. The cover 104 is designed to be removable to enable the reticulated foam cartridge to be loaded within the interior cavity 108 of the body 106, and the cover 104 may then be disposed on (e.g., attached to, connected to) to the body 106 to retain the reticulated foam cartridge within the interior cavity 108 and to block water (e.g., rain water, water from sprinkling systems) from entering the interior cavity 108 through the top of thebody 106. In some embodiments, the cover 104 may include a child-proof mechanism that prevents, for example, tampering by children, by requiring a key (e.g., a dedicated key or master key, a card key, electronic key, or biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication) to remove the cover 104 from the body 106 to access the interior cavity 108. The body 106 of the housing 100 also defines openings 110 (e.g., slots, ports, through-holes, passages) that enable termites to traverse the body 106 to enter and exit the interior cavity 108 of the housing. In some embodiments, the openings 110 may be round, ovular, rectangular, diamond-shaped, or slitshaped, and may have a diameter or a slit width from about 2 millimeters (mm) to about 5 mm (e.g., from about 2 mm to about 3 mm). In some embodiments, the openings 110 may be sloped downward or to block or prevent soil and water from entering. Additionally, if water or fine particles of soil enter the housing 100, for example, due to rainfall, then these readily flow out of the container via the openings 110. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the body 106 includes openings 110 in the bottom of the housing to enable water to more effectively be drained from the housing after rain or flooding weather conditions. While the illustrated housing 100 generally has a rectangular prismatic shape, in other embodiments, the shape of the housing 100 may be bent (e.g., at a right angle, an acute angle, an obtuse angle, or having an adjustable angle), curved (e.g., semicircular, ovular), or irregular, and as discussed below, the flexibility of the reticulated foam cartridge enables the cartridge to be bent or curved by the installer when loaded into the housing 100 to accommodate these various housing shapes.

[0034] The housing 100 is formed from a material that is resistant to decomposition or degradation in an outdoor environment, resistant to decay or corrosion in soil, resistant to feeding damage by termites, and that is sufficiently rigid to provide structural integrity to the cartridgebased termite control device 102. In some embodiments, the housing 100 is fabricated of a resin material, a metal material, a ceramic material, or a composite thereof. A non-limiting list of example resin or polymeric materials includes, but is not limited to, an acrylonitrile-butadiene- styrene resin, a polylactic acid resin, an acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile resin, a polypropylene resin, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, a nylon resin, a thermoplastic polyurethane resin, a polymethyl methacrylate resin, a polyvinylidene fluoride resin, a polyethylene resin, and combinations thereof. A non-limiting list of example metal materials includes, but is not limited to, stainless steel materials, aluminum materials, titanium materials, and combinations thereof. A non-limiting list of example ceramic materials includes,but is not limited to, barium titanate materials, lead zirconate titanate materials, silicon carbide materials, aluminum nitride materials, and combinations thereof. The material of the housing 100 is generally designed to maintain its structural integrity despite extended exposure to typical outdoor environmental conditions, such as temperatures ranging from about -30 degrees Celsius (°C) to about 60 °C, ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, precipitation, termite interactions, and so forth.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of a cartridge-based termite control device 200. Like the cartridge-based termite control device 102 discussed with respect to FIG. 1, the cartridge-based termite control device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a housing 202 having a cover 204 and a body 206, in which the cover 204 is disposed on top of the body 206. For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the body 206 defines openings 208, including openings on both the side portions 210 and the end portions 212 of the body 206, that enable termites to enter the housing 202, interact with the reticulated foam cartridge disposed within the interior cavity of the housing 202 (as discussed below), and then exit the housing 202. Additionally, the housing 202 include tabs 214 that extend from, and are disposed orthogonally to, the end portions 212 of the body 206. For embodiments in which the housing 202 of the cartridgebased termite control device 200 is designed to be partially buried, the tabs 214 may indicate the depth 216 to which the housing 202 is buried. For example, when the cartridge-based termite control device 200 is buried to the depth 216, the tabs 214 may rest at ground level on the edges of a hole in which the cartridge-based termite control device 200 is placed to stabilize and maintain the position and / or orientation of the device. In certain embodiments, the body 206 may be a monolithic structure, and the tabs 214 are integral to the body 206. In other embodiments, the tabs 214 are removable and include one or more portions (e.g., pins, extensions, pillars) that mate with or extend into one or more portions (e g., openings, receptacles) to attach the tabs 214 to the end portions 212. For example, in some embodiments, the tabs 214 include an extension that is designed to insert into one of the openings 208 disposed on each of the end portions 212 of the body 206 to attach the tabs 214 to the body 206. For such embodiments, this may enable the installer to select or adjust which of the openings 208 the tabs are inserted to select or adjust the depth 216 that the cartridge-based termite control device 200 will be buried during deployment, for example, to accommodate different precipitations levels, temperatures, local termite behaviors, ground conditions, and so forth, such that the housing 202 can be deployed in a number of differentenvironments. In some embodiments, one or more tabs 214 may also be additionally or alternatively installed on or integrated into the side portions 210 of the body 206 to provide stability to the deployed cartridge-based termite control device 200.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the cartridge-based termite control device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 after deployment. The cartridge-based termite control device 200 may be partially buried in the soil below the ground level 300. As such, for the illustrated example, at least a portion of the openings 208 may be disposed in the soil, below the ground level 300. As discussed, the openings 208 enable termites 302 (e.g., Coptotermes formosanus) to traverse the housing 202 and to enter and exit the interior cavity 304 of the cartridge-based termite control device 200.

[0037] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a reticulated foam cartridge 306, comprising a reticulated foam member 320, is disposed within the interior cavity 304 of the cartridge-based termite control device 200. The reticulated foam cartridge 306 may include an optional frame 322 or other supporting structure substantially surrounding the reticulated foam member 320. The optional frame 322 or other supporting structure may provide support and protection for the reticulated foam member 320 as well as facilitate placement, stability, and fastness of the reticulated foam cartridge 306 within the interior cavity 304 of housing 202 of cartridge-based termite control device 200. In certain embodiments, reticulated foam cartridge 306 may be fixed within the interior cavity 304. In other embodiments, foam cartridge 306 may be a removable and replaceable reticulated foam cartridge 306. In such embodiments, the optional frame 322 or other supporting structure may be configured to facilitate removal and replacement of the foam cartridge 306 in the interior cavity 304 of the housing 202 of the cartridge-based termite control device 200.

[0038] Reticulated foam cartridge 306 comprises a reticulated foam member 320 that is formed from a reticulated (preferably polymer) material and impregnated with the one or more pesticide active ingredients. In some embodiments, the one or more pesticide active ingredients are slow- acting pesticide active ingredients. As a result of random probing behavior, the termites 302 that enter the interior cavity 304 of the cartridge-based termite control device 200 via the openings 208 interact with (e.g., crawl through, explore) the reticulated foam cartridge 306 and are exposed to the one or more pesticide active ingredients. The reticulated foam cartridge 306 includes or defines a cellular foam structure having a mesh-like network of interconnected, open cells, which enables termites 302 to move from one cell to another while interacting with the cartridge. The termites302 do not immediately expire upon exposure to the one or more pesticide active ingredients, and as such, dead termites do not accumulate in the device 200. Rather, the one or more pesticide active ingredients enable the exposed termites 302 to exit the cartridge-based termite control device 200 via the openings 208 to return to the termite colony. Upon their return, the exposed termites 302 interact with other termites of the colony (e.g., grooming interactions), and at least a portion of the other termites are also exposed to the one or more pesticide active ingredients by these interactions. After a suitable amount of time passes, the one or more pesticide active ingredients take effect and terminate the directly and indirectly exposed termites. After a certain percentage of the colony population is eliminated, the termites, being social insects, are unable to maintain the colony. In this way, the activity of termites can be inhibited or eradicated. Additionally, because the device 200 contains an insecticide active ingredient, termite paths are less likely to be formed in a termite passage inside the device 200 or the reticulated foam cartridge 306, and preferably no termite paths are formed at all. As a result, the reticulated foam cartridge 306 does not need to be replaced frequently and can be used until the expiration date of the insecticide active ingredient. Therefore, the design of the device 200 obviates a need to check the device frequently, which desirably reduces the cost burden associated with providing termite control service.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a method 400 of deploying the cartridgebased termite control device to control termites and to protect a structure from termite infestation and damage. For the illustrated embodiment, the method 400 begins with a step 402 of at least partially burying the housing of the cartridge-based termite control device in the soil near a structure, such that at least a portion of the openings of each of the housings are disposed below ground level. In other embodiments, the cartridge-based termite control device may be disposed entirely above ground. However, it is presently recognized that, at least in certain environments, when the openings in the housing are disposed above soil surface, termites may be averse to entering the housing because of air circulation and temperature changes. As such, in at least some implementations, all of the openings in the housing may be disposed below soil level to limit air circulation and temperature changes to encourage acceptance and entry by the termites. In some embodiments, a portion of the openings of the housing that are disposed above soil level may be covered (e.g., using a tape or adhesive) to limit air circulation within the housing to encourage termite acceptance. In some embodiments, multiple cartridge-based termite control devices arepositioned about the perimeter of the structure to form a cartridge-based termite control system, as discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 5.

[0040] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the method 400 continues with the step 404 of opening a reusable packaging of the reticulated foam cartridge and removing the reticulated foam cartridge from the reusable packaging. An embodiment of a reusable packaging of the reticulated foam cartridge is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 6A. In some embodiments, a non- reusable packaging may be used. The packaging of the reticulated foam cartridge generally compresses, seals, and / or protects the reticulated foam cartridge from the external environment. In general, the packaging may extend the life of the reticulated foam cartridge during shipping and / or storage, for example, by blocking or restricting the exposure of the one or more pesticide active ingredients to the atmosphere during shipping and / or storage. For embodiments in which the packaging compresses the reticulated foam cartridge, the reticulated foam cartridge expands to its full three-dimensional shape and volume after being decompressed by being removed from the packaging, as discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0041] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the method 400 continues with the step 406 of disposing the reticulated foam cartridge within the interior cavity of the housing to yield the assembled cartridge-based termite control device. During deployment, termites enter the housing, interact with the reticulated foam cartridge, and then exit the housing, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 3. The amount of the one or more pesticide active ingredients contained by the reticulated foam cartridge generally decreases over time as a result of termite interactions and environmental exposure (e.g., precipitation, temperature, atmospheric oxygen). As such, the reticulated foam cartridge is designed to be replaced at intervals to ensure that the reticulated foam cartridge maintains an effective amount of the one or more pesticide active ingredients to control the termite population. In certain embodiments, the reticulated foam cartridge is designed or rated to maintain an effective amount (e.g., at least 0.05 wt.%) of the one or more pesticide active ingredients for a predetermined period of deployment time (e.g., one months, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 18 months, 5 years, 10 years) under a given set of environmental conditions.

[0042] Accordingly, for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the method 400 continues with the step 408 of, after the predetermined period of deployment time, removing a spent reticulated foam cartridge from the housing and optionally compressing and sealing the spent reticulated foam cartridge within the reusable packaging. The illustrated method 400 continues with the optionalstep 410 of providing the spent reticulated foam cartridge, compressed and sealed within the reusable packaging, to a remanufacturing facility for remanufacturing or to a recycling facility for recycling. In some embodiments, a remanufacturing facility is capable of reimpregnating the spent reticulated foam member to yield a renewed or remanufactured product having an effective amount of the one or more pesticide active ingredients, which may enable reduced production costs and reduced environmental impact. In some embodiments, a recycling facility may be capable of recovering the remaining one or more pesticide active ingredients in the spent reticulated foam cartridge, recovering polymer materials from the spent reticulated foam cartridge and / or the packaging, or a combination thereof, which may enable reduced environmental impact. As indicated by the arrow 412, the installer may subsequently return to steps 404 and 406 to replace the spent reticulated foam cartridge, as the method 400 continues. For embodiments in which the packaging of the reticulated foam cartridge is not reusable, the spent reticulated foam cartridge may be suitably disposed after being removed from the housing at step 408, and the step 410 may be omitted.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a cartridge-based termite control system 500 that includes a set of cartridge-based termite control devices 502 deployed about the perimeter 504 of a structure 506. The structure 506 may be a residential, commercial, or institutional structure. The cartridge-based termite control devices 502 are generally deployed around the perimeter 504 of the structure 506. In some embodiments, all of the cartridge-based termite control devices 502 are at least partially buried in the soil around the perimeter, while in other embodiments, at least a portion of the cartridge-based termite control devices 502 may be disposed completely above ground level (e.g., connected to the base or foundation of the structure, disposed on top of a concrete pad of a porch or entry way). In some embodiments, the cartridge-based termite control devices 502 may be at least partially buried immediately adjacent to or tangential to the foundation of the structure 506. In some embodiments, one or more of the cartridge-based termite control devices 502 may be disposed indoors within the interior of the structure 506 as an above ground station (AGS), such as along the interior of an exterior wall, in closets, crawlspaces, basements, garages, attics, and so forth.

[0044] For the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge-based termite control devices 502 are deployed such that a distance between the devices does not exceed a predetermined maximum distance 508. In some embodiments, the predetermined maximum distance 508 between adjacentcartridge-based termite control devices 502 ranges from about 0.2 meters (m) to about 6 m, from about 0.5 meters to about 5 meters, or from about 0.5 m to about 3 m. In some embodiments, the predetermined maximum distance 508 may be selected based on local factors, such as environmental conditions, ground conditions, and termite types and behaviors. In some cases, adjacent cartridge-based termite control devices 502 may be positioned closer together, for example, to provide enhanced control near regions of the structure 506 that are more susceptible to termite entry (e.g., near flowerbeds, near locations having wood in contact with the soil). In some embodiments, two or more adjacent cartridge-based termite control devices 502 may be coupled together by a bridging member that may help to guide or direct termites to enter the devices 502. As illustrated, in some embodiments, at least one cartridge-based termite control device 510 may be shaped (e.g., L shaped, curved) to correspond to the shape of a portion of the perimeter 504 of the structure 506 and may be loaded with one or more reticulated foam cartridges. For example, in some embodiments, the cartridge-based termite control device 510 may receive a single reticulated foam cartridge, and the flexibility of the reticulated foam cartridge enables the cartridge to be bent during installation to accommodate the shape of the housing of the device.

[0045] FIG 6 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a packaged reticulated foam cartridge 600. In some embodiments, the packaged reticulated foam cartridge 600 may be compressed (e.g., compressed reticulated foam member 620) in the packaging. In other embodiments, the packaged reticulated foam cartridge 600 may be uncompressed (e.g., uncompressed reticulated foam member 620) in the packaging. FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of packaged reticulated foam cartridge 600, which includes a compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 comprising a compressed reticulated foam member 620 and optional frame 630 or other supporting structure disposed within a packaging 604. FIG. 6B is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of an uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge 606 comprising uncompressed reticulated foam member 620, after being removed from the packaging 604 and expanding to its full three-dimensional shape and volume. The packaging 604 can be made from a suitable polymer material. A non-limiting list of suitable polymer materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, mylar, and copolymers or combinations thereof. The illustrated packaging 604 seals and protects the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 from the external environment, extending the shelf-life of the cartridge, and blocking or preventing the one or more one or morepesticide active ingredients of the cartridge from contacting or transferring to other surfaces during shipping and / or storage. The illustrated packaging 604 also compresses the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602, which reduces at least one dimension of the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602, thereby reducing the volume of the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 relative to the uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge 606. For the illustrated embodiment, the packaging 604 compresses the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 to reduce a thickness 608 of the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 relative to a thickness 610 of the uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge 606, which substantially reduces the volume of the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 relative to the volume of the uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge 606. This compression and reduction in volume is enabled by the flexibility and compressibility of the reticulated foam cartridge. In other embodiments, the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 is compressed in other manners, for example, by rolling the reticulated foam cartridge into a cylindrical shape prior to being compressed and sealed within the packaging 604. In some embodiments, during packaging, a vacuum may be applied to the interior of the packaging 604 to remove most or all of the gas within the packaging 604 to facilitate compression of the reticulated foam cartridge. In some embodiments, the small amount of gas remaining in the packaging 604 may be an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) to further extend the shelf life of the packaged reticulated foam cartridge 600. The reduction in volume of the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 advantageously decreases shipping volume and shipping costs and consumes less of the installer’s storage space when stored for later use.

[0046] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, after the reticulated foam cartridge is compressed within the packaging 604, the packaging is sealed. In some embodiments, a heat sealing process may be used to bond together the layers of the packaging material to seal the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 within the packaging 604. In some embodiments, the packaging 604 may be a reusable packaging having a resealable portion 612 (e.g., a slide-seal portion), as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The reusable packaging 604 enables the packaging to additionally be used by the installer to seal spent reticulated foam cartridges upon removal from the housing after being deployed for a predefined period of time. For example, the installer may open the resealable portion 612 of the reusable packaging 604 and remove the compressed reticulated foam cartridge 602 from the reusable packaging 604 to replace a spent reticulated foam cartridge. The installer may then dispose the spent reticulated foam cartridge in the empty reusablepackaging 604, press on the sides of the packaging to compress the spent reticulated foam cartridge and remove excess air from the packaging 604, and then reseal the resealable portion 612 of the reusable packaging 604. If the installer then ships the packaged spent reticulated foam cartridge to a remanufacturing facility or recycling facility, the reduced volume of the packaged spent reticulated foam cartridge also advantageously decreases shipping volume and costs.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge 606 includes one or more layers (e.g., between 1 and 10 layers) of reticulated foam, each having a respective uncompressed thickness from about 1 centimeter (cm) to about 50 cm, preferably from about 1.5 cm to about 5 cm. As such, in some embodiments, the uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge 606 has a thickness 610 from about 1 cm to about 50 cm, preferably from about 1.5 cm to about 5 cm. For embodiments in which the reticulated foam cartridge 606 is a multilayer cartridge, the uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge 606 may have a thickness 610 from about 1 cm to about 50 cm, preferably from about 5 cm to about 20 cm. In some embodiments, the uncompressed reticulated foam cartridge 606 has a height 614 from about 5 cm to about 10 cm, and a width 618 from about 5 cm to about 30 cm.

[0048] FIG. 6C is a photographic representation of an embodiment of a reticulated foam member 620. As noted, the reticulated foam member 620 illustrated in FIG. 6C generally defines an interconnected network of open cells 622 having irregular shapes. In certain embodiments, the reticulated foam member 620 has a cell size from about 5 pores per inch (ppi) to about 15 ppi, preferably from about 8 ppi to about 12 ppi. In some embodiments, the diameters 624 of the open cells may range from about 2 mm to about 5 mm, preferably from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. In certain embodiments, the reticulated foam member 620 has a net density from about 20 kilograms per cubic meter (kg / m3) to about 30 kg / m3, such as from about 22 kilograms per cubic meter (kg / m3) to about 28 kg / m3. In certain embodiments, the reticulated foam member 620 has a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.25 square meters per liter (m2 / L) to about 5 m2 / L, preferably from about 0.5 m2 / L to about 2.5 m2 / L. In certain embodiments, from about 70% to about 99.5%, preferably from about 90% to about 99%, of the total volume of the reticulated foam member 620 is void volume. In certain embodiments, the reticulated foam member 620 is impregnated with from about 0.05 wt.% to about 1 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients, preferably from about 0.5 wt.% to about 0.9 wt.%, based on the weight of the reticulated foam member 620. In some embodiments, the reticulated foam member 620 is impregnated with 0.8 wt.% or less ofthe one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated foam member 620. In some embodiments, after being deployed for a predetermined deployment period for a given environment (e.g., one months, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 18 months, 5 years, 10 years), the reticulated foam member 620 comprises at least 0.05 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated foam member 620. It may be appreciated that, for certain pesticide active ingredients, the reticulated foam member 620 can be impregnated with more than 1 wt.% (e.g., between 1 wt.% and 5 wt.% or between 1 wt.% and 10 wt.%) of the one or more pesticide active ingredients. However, for other pesticide active ingredients, such as certain phenylpyrazol pesticides, it is desirable for the reticulated foam member 620 to be impregnated with no more than 1 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a method 700 of manufacturing the reticulated foam cartridge. For the illustrated embodiment, the method 700 begins with the step 702 of forming a polyurethane foam having a plurality of closed cells (i.e., a closed-cell polyurethane foam). In some embodiments, the polyurethane foam may be formed from polyurethane, polyester-polyurethane, or polyether-polyurethane. The method 700 continues with the step 704 of reticulating the polyurethane foam, for instance, using a mixture of hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) at elevated temperature to open the plurality of closed cells, yielding a reticulated polyurethane foam having an open, cellular network. Additionally, it may be noted that, in some embodiments, the one or more pesticide active ingredients may be blended into the polyurethane or co-polymer resin before forming the polyurethane foam in step 702, in contrast with the solution-based impregnation techniques discussed below. However, it is presently recognized that at least a portion of the one or more pesticide active ingredients disclosed herein may not survive steps 702 and / or 704, and for such active ingredients, the solution-based impregnation techniques discussed below are preferred.

[0050] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the method 700 continues with the step 706 of exposing the reticulated polyurethane foam to an impregnation solution (also referred to herein as a nip liquor or dipping solution). For example, the reticulated polyurethane foam may be sprayed, dipped, or rolled in the impregnation solution. The impregnation solution contains at least the one or more pesticide active ingredients. In some embodiments, the impregnation solution is a waterbased solution that contains the one or more water-soluble or water-dispersible pesticide active ingredient having insecticidal action against termites. In some embodiments, one or more organicsolvents (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) may be used, either alone or in combination with water as the solvent. In certain embodiments, the amount of the impregnation solution used to impregnate the reticulated polyurethane foam is from about 10 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, preferably from about 25 wt.% to about 60 wt.%, or about 50 wt.% relative to the weight of the reticulated polyurethane foam prior to impregnation. For example, in an embodiment, about 0.5 grams of impregnation solution may be used for every gram of reticulated polyurethane foam being impregnated. In certain embodiments, the impregnation solution includes from about 80 wt.% to about 95 wt.% demineralized water.

[0051] A non-limiting list of example pesticide active ingredients includes, but is not limited to: phenylpyrazole insecticide active ingredient (e.g. fipronil, ethiprole, pyriprole), a neonicotinoid insecticide active ingredient (e.g., imidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, dinotefuran, and acetamiprid), a diamide insecticide active ingredient (e.g., flubendiamide, tetraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole, cyclaniliprole, cyantraniliprole), a metadiamide insecticide active ingredient (e.g., broflanilide), a phenylurea insecticide active ingredient (e.g., novaluron, teflubenzuron, bistrifluron, diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, nobiflumuron, chlorfluazuron, triflumuron), a sulfoxyimine insecticide active ingredient (e.g., sulfoxaflor), a butenolide insecticide active ingredient (e.g. flupyradifurone), a mesoionic insecticide active ingredient (e.g., dichloromezothiaz, triflumezopyrim), a pyridylidene insecticide active ingredient (e.g., flupirimine), and an isoxazoline insecticide active ingredient (e.g., fluxametamide, isocycloseram). For example, in certain embodiments, the one or more pesticide active ingredients includes a phenylpyrazole insecticide active ingredient. In some embodiments, the one or more pesticide active ingredients may be fipronil, ethiprole, pyriprole, or any combination thereof.

[0052] In certain embodiments, the impregnation solution contains from about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients, preferably from about 0.5 wt.% to about 4 wt.%. For example, in an embodiment, the impregnation solution contains from about 8 wt.% to about 9 wt.% of a 200 grams per liter (g / L) (about 18 wt.%) fipronil suspension concentrate (SC) based on the weight of the impregnation solution, resulting in a fipronil active ingredient concentration from about 1.4 wt.% to about 1.6 wt.% based on the weight of the impregnation solution. While fipronil is provided as an example, in other embodiments, the active ingredient may be another water-soluble or water-dispersible active ingredient. For this exampleembodiment, the impregnation solution can be used to target an active ingredient concentration of about 0.8 wt.% in the final impregnated and dried reticulated foam.

[0053] In some embodiments, the impregnation solution contains a wetting agent to improve the wetting action of the impregnation solution. In certain embodiments, the wetting agent is an ethoxylated siloxane, a polyether trisiloxane, a polyalkyleneoxide-modified heptamethyltri siloxane, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the wetting agent is sodium dioctyl sulphosuccinate, alcohol polyglycol ether, ethylene oxide / propylene oxide (EO / PO) block copolymers, alkylpolyglycoside, alkoxylated alcohol (ethoxylated and / or propoxylated fatty alcohols), ethoxylated acetylenic diols, polyether trisiloxane, alkylether sulphates, or combinations thereof. In general, improving the wetting of the reticulated foam enables in faster uptake of impregnation solution by the reticulated foam, resulting in faster production with better coating homogeneity. For example, in some embodiments, the impregnation solution contains from about 0.01 wt.% to about 1 wt.% of wetting agent, preferably from about 0.25 wt.% to about 2 wt.%, based on the weight of the impregnation solution.

[0054] In some embodiments, the impregnation solution contains a binder to improve the binding of the one or more pesticide active ingredients to the reticulated polyurethane foam, which improves the adhesion of the active ingredients under certain environmental conditions (e.g., wet conditions, such as precipitation or standing water), enabling improved longevity. Preferred binders are polymers, either dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous solution, which form irreversible polymer films upon drying and are stable upon re-wetting. In some embodiments, the binder is an aqueous polymer dispersion with a low glass temperature. In some embodiments, the binder is preferably non-biodegradable, which is favorable to improve longevity of the cartridge. In certain embodiments, the binder is one or more of a water-soluble polyurethane binder, a water-soluble polyacrylate binder, or an aqueous styrene acrylate copolymer dispersion. In some embodiments, the binder is a water-based polymer solution or dispersion, a polyacrylic acid polymer or copolymer, a polyurethane polymer or copolymer (e.g., polyurethane-acrylate copolymers), a polyester-polyurethane dispersion, a vinyl acetate polymer or copolymers, a polyvinylalcohol polymer or copolymer, ethylcellulose, a polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer or copolymers (e.g., vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer), cellulose derivatives, starch derivatives, or combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the impregnation solution contains from about 0.05 wt.% to about 10 wt.%, preferably from about 0.25 wt.% and 4 wt.%, of polymersolids from the binder based on the weight of the impregnation solution. In an example embodiment, the impregnation solution includes about 3 wt.% of an aqueous styrene acrylate copolymer dispersion (50% polymer solids), resulting in the impregnation solution having about 1.5 wt.% polymer solids from the binder based on the weight of the impregnation solution. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the one or more active ingredients to the binder polymer solids may be about 1 :1 in both the impregnation solution and in the final impregnated and dried reticulated foam. For this example embodiment, the impregnation solution can be used to target polymer solid content from the binder of about 0.8 wt.% in the final impregnated and dried reticulated foam. In certain embodiments, the binder is excluded from the impregnation solution.

[0055] In some embodiments, the impregnation solution contains a biocide to block or prevent the growth of microbes (e.g., bacteria) within the impregnation solution. For example, the biocide may be 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, or a mixture thereof (e.g., at a 3: 1 weight ratio). In some embodiments, the biocide may additionally or alternatively include an aqueous dipropylene glycol solution having about 20 wt. % 1,2- benzisothiazolin-3-on as a sodium salt. In some embodiments, the impregnation solution contains from about 0.01 wt.% to about 0.5 wt.%, preferably from about 0.05 wt.% to about 0.4 wt. %, of biocide based on the weight of the impregnation solution. In certain embodiments, the impregnation solution is substantially free or entirely free of volatile organic solvents.

[0056] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the method 700 continues with the step 708 of compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam to remove excess impregnation solution and ensure uniform distribution of the impregnation solution on the interior and exterior surface area of the reticulated polyurethane foam. In some embodiments, the reticulated polyurethane foam is compressed by rolling the reticulated polyurethane foam through a pair of rollers that compress the reticulated polyurethane foam to remove excess impregnation solution. For example, the reticulated polyurethane foam may be fed through a pair of rollers at a speed from about 0.5 meters per minutes (m / min) and about 10 m / min, preferably from about 0.5 m / min to about 4 m / min. The rollers may apply a pressure from about 1 bar to about 6 bar, preferably from about 1 bar to about 5 bar, to remove excess impregnation solution and ensure uniform distribution. In some embodiments, after exposing the reticulated polyurethane foam to the impregnation solution, the reticulated polyurethane foam may be wringed out manually to remove excess impregnation solution.

[0057] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the method 700 continues with the step 710 of drying the reticulated polyurethane foam, for instance, at elevated temperature, to yield a pesticide- impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam. For example, the reticulated polyurethane foam may be disposed within a drying oven for a predetermined amount of time to dry the reticulated polyurethane foam. In some embodiments, the drying oven may be a vacuum oven that reduces the atmospheric pressure within the oven during heating to accelerate drying. In some embodiments, the drying step 710 includes heating the reticulated polyurethane foam from about 75 °C to about 150 °C (e.g., from about 85 °C to about 130 °C) for a length of time from about 0.5 minute to about 10 minutes (e.g., from about 1 minute to about 4 minutes). In certain embodiments, the drying step 710 includes heating the reticulated polyurethane foam to about 120 °C for about 2.5 minutes at a slightly reduced pressure relative to atmospheric pressure (e.g., from about 0.90 bar gauge (barg) to about 0.99 barg). In certain embodiments, after drying, the pesticide- impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam includes about 1 wt.% or less of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated polyurethane foam. In some embodiments, the after drying, the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam includes from about 0.5 wt.% to about 0.9 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated polyurethane foam. In some embodiments, depending on the one or more pesticide active ingredients used, a loading of at least 0.05 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients may be considered an effective amount for termite control.

[0058] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the method 700 continues with the step 712 of cutting and / or stacking layers of the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam to suitable dimensions to yield a reticulated foam cartridge. For example, in some embodiments, the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam may be produced in a continuous or semi- continuous process in which a spool of the reticulated polyurethane foam is treated in accordance with steps 706, 708, and 710 to yield a spool of pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam. For such embodiments, the spooled pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam may be fed into a system or device that divides or cuts the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam into the desired dimensions, or may be manually cut to size, to yield the reticulated foam cartridge. In other embodiments, instead of a spool of the reticulated polyurethane foam, individual pieces of the reticulated polyurethane foam may be manually or automaticallytreated in accordance with 706, 708, and 710 to yield individual pieces of pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0059] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, a dimension of the pesticide- impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam may have a length less than a desired length of the corresponding dimension of the reticulated foam cartridge. For example, in some embodiments, the reticulated polyurethane foam may have a thickness that is less than a desired thickness of the reticulated foam cartridge (e.g., thickness 610 illustrated in FIG. 6B). For such embodiments, multiple layers (e.g., from about 2 layers to about 10 layers) of the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam may be stacked in step 712, before or after cutting, such that the resulting reticulated foam cartridge has the desired dimensions. In certain embodiments, an adhesive may be applied to bond the layers of the pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam together to yield the reticulated foam cartridge. In other embodiments, the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam may already be suitably sized for use as the reticulated foam cartridge and the step 712 may be omitted.

[0060] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the method 700 continues with the step 714 of compressing and sealing the reticulated foam cartridge within a packaging to yield a packaged reticulated foam cartridge. For example, in certain embodiments, the reticulated foam cartridge may be disposed within a premade (e.g., polymer) packaging, and the packaging may be coupled to a sealing device that applies a vacuum to remove air from the packaging to compress the reticulated foam cartridge prior to heat sealing the packaging. In some embodiments, referring back to FIG. 6A, the packaging may be a premade reusable packaging having a resealable portion, and the reticulated foam cartridge may be loaded into the reusable packaging, compressed to reduce at least one dimension of the reticulated foam cartridge, and the resealable portion of the packaging may be sealed or a heat seal may be applied above the resealable portion to yield the packaged reticulated foam cartridge. In some embodiments, the reticulated foam cartridge may be fed along with the (e.g., polymer) packaging material into a packaging system that compresses the reticulated foam cartridge and uses heat sealing to form and seal the packaging around the reticulated foam cartridge to yield the packaged reticulated foam cartridge.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a foulard machine 800 (also referred to herein as a foulard impregnation device or system) that is used to impregnate the reticulated foam using a foulard impregnation process in certain implementations. As such, insome embodiments, the foulard machine 800 may perform the steps 706, 708, and 710 of the manufacturing method 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 in a continuous or semi-continuous foulard impregnation process to transform the reticulated foam into the pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam. The illustrated embodiment of the foulard machine 800 includes a first spool 802 that is loaded with the reticulated foam 804, which was previously fabricated in accordance with steps 702 and 704 of the manufacturing method 700 illustrated in FIG. 7. As the reticulated foam 804 is unspooled, it contacts a first roller 806 followed by a second roller 808 that is partially submerged in an impregnation solution 810 of an impregnation solution reservoir 812. As such, the reticulated foam 804 is briefly exposed to, and for instance, submerged within, the impregnation solution 810 before passing between counter-rotating rollers 814 and 816, which compress the reticulated polyurethane foam 804 to remove excess impregnation solution and ensure that the impregnation solution is evenly and consistently distributed on the interior and exterior surface area of the foam, while the excess impregnation solution is returned to the impregnation solution reservoir 812. After being compressed by the rollers 814 and 816, the reticulated foam 804 is subsequently routed through the drying oven 818 (e.g., a hot air oven, an infrared oven, one or more heated rollers), which heats the reticulated foam 804 to dry the applied impregnation solution, yielding a pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam 820. In this embodiment, the reticulated foam can be a reticulated polyurethane foam. As noted, in some embodiments, the drying oven 818 may apply a slight vacuum to reduce the drying time or the drying temperature. For the illustrated embodiment, the pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam 820 is collected on a second spool 822. The pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam 820 may then proceed to steps 712 and / or 714 of the manufacturing method 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 to yield the packaged reticulated foam cartridge. It may be appreciated that the reticulated foam 804 is preferably sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible to pass through the foulard machine 800 and substantially retain its cellular structure. In this embodiment, the reticulated foam can be a reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of a padder machine 900 (also referred to herein as a padder impregnation device or system) that is used to impregnate the reticulated foam using a padder impregnation process in certain implementations. As such, in some embodiments, the padder machine 900 may perform the steps 706, 708, and 710 of the manufacturing method 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 in a continuous or semi-continuous padderimpregnation process to transform the reticulated foam into the pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam. The illustrated embodiment of the padder machine 900 includes a first spool 902 that is loaded with the reticulated foam 904, which was previously fabricated in accordance with steps 702 and 704 of the manufacturing method 700 illustrated in FIG. 7. For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the padder machine 900 includes a pair of counter-rotating rollers 906 and 908. The volume disposed between and above the pair of counter-rotating rollers 906 and 908 defines an impregnation solution reservoir 910 of the padder machine 900, which contains an impregnation solution 912. As the reticulated foam 904 is unspooled, it is briefly exposed to, and, for instance, submerged within, the impregnation solution 912 before passing between the counter-rotating rollers 906 and 908, which compress the reticulated foam 904 to remove excess impregnation solution and ensure that the impregnation solution is evenly and consistently distributed on the interior and exterior surface area of the foam, while the excess impregnation solution is returned to the impregnation solution reservoir 910. In some embodiments, the padder machine 900 may pass the reticulated foam 904 through multiple exposure and compression steps to uniformly coat the interior and exterior surface area of the reticulated foam 904. In this embodiment, the reticulated foam can be a reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0063] For the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, after being compressed by the rollers 906 and 908, the reticulated foam 904 is subsequently routed through the drying oven 914 (e.g., a hot air oven, an infrared oven, one or more heated rollers), which heats the reticulated foam 904 to dry the applied impregnation solution, yielding a pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam 916. As noted, in some embodiments, the drying oven 914 may apply a slight vacuum to reduce the drying time or the drying temperature. For the illustrated embodiment, the pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam 916 is collected on a second spool 918. The pesticide-impregnated reticulated foam 916 may then proceed to steps 712 and / or 714 of the manufacturing method 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 to yield the packaged reticulated foam cartridge. It may be appreciated that the reticulated foam 904 is preferably sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible to pass through the padder machine 900 and substantially retain its cellular structure. It is noted that padder machines typically provide less precise control over liquid application, and adjustments can be more challenging, while foulard machines offer precise control over the liquid application, enabling more accurate adjustments. Additionally, certain padder machines may have variations in application of theimpregnation solution due to inconsistencies in the bath or squeezing mechanisms, while foulard machines generally offer a more even and consistent application of the impregnation solution.

[0064] Other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the foregoing figures, detailed description, and examples. It should be understood, however, that the figures, detailed description, and examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only and are not meant to be limiting. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. In further embodiments, features from specific embodiments may be combined with features from other embodiments. For example, features from one embodiment may be combined with features from any of the other embodiments. In further embodiments, additional features may be added to the specific embodiments described herein.EXAMPLES

[0065] Model experiments were performed to evaluate the performance of the pesticide- impregnated reticulated foam in the treatment of termites under different exposure conditions. In a first forced contact experimental example, a first petri dish (serving as a control sample) was loaded with 20 termites and a non-impregnated reticulated foam for 10 minutes before the reticulated foam was removed. A second petri dish was loaded with 20 termites and a reticulated foam impregnated with 0.8 wt% fipronil (a slow-acting pesticide active ingredient) was added to the petri dish for 10 minutes before the reticulated foam was removed. Subsequently, the mortality rates of the termites in both petri dishes were evaluated at various intervals, including 1 hour after treatment (hAT), 2 hAT, 3 hAT, 4 hAT, 24 hAT, 4 days after treatment (DAT), 8 DAT, and 11 DAT. The experiment was replicated three times and the average mortality rates are illustrated in the graph of FIG. 10. As indicated by the graph, the control samples demonstrated little to no mortality over the observation window, while the experimental samples in which the termites were temporarily directly exposed to the fipronil-impregnated reticulated foam demonstrated increasing mortality rates over the entire observation window, approaching a 100% mortality rate 10 days after treatment.

[0066] In a second experimental example to study the transfer effects of the pesticide active ingredient between the termites, a first (donor) petri dish, in which termites could interact with a reticulated foam that was impregnated with 0.8 wt.% fipronil (a slow-acting pesticide activeingredient), and a second (recipient) petri dish, in which termites could not directly interact with the fipronil-impregnated reticulated foam, were used. Thirty (30) termites were added to the donor petri dish. The 0.8 wt.% fipronil-impregnated reticulated foam was loaded into the donor petri dish for 10 minutes before being removed, and three termites (10 %) that had interacted with the fipronil-impregnated reticulated foam were transferred to the recipient petri dish. A control sample was prepared in the same manner using non-impregnated reticulated foam. Subsequently, the mortality rates of the termites in both the donor and recipient petri dishes were evaluated at various intervals, including 1 hAT, 3 hAT, 6 hAT, 24 hAT, 2 DAT, 8 DAT, and 14 DAT. The experiment was replicated three times (i.e., 3 donor petri dishes, 3 recipient petri dishes) and the average mortality rates on the donor petri dishes are illustrated in the graph of FIG. 11, while the average mortality rates on the recipient petri dishes are illustrated in the graph of FIG. 12. As indicated by the graphs, the control samples demonstrated little to no mortality over the observation window. In contrast, the donor petri dishes, in which the termites were temporarily directly exposed to the fipronil-impregnated reticulated foam, demonstrated increasing mortality rates over the entire observation window, achieving a 100% mortality rate 14 days after treatment. The recipient petri dishes, in which the termites were indirectly exposed to the fipronil pesticide, demonstrated increasing mortality rates over the entire observation window, approaching a 25% mortality rate 14 days after treatment.

[0067] In a third continuous contact experimental example, a first petri dish (serving as a control sample) was loaded with 20 termites and a non-impregnated reticulated foam. A second petri dish was loaded with 20 termites and a reticulated foam impregnated with 0.8 wt% fipronil (a slow- acting pesticide active ingredient) was added to the petri dish. A third petri dish was loaded with 20 termites and a reticulated foam that was impregnated with 0.1 wt% fipronil was added to the petri dish. Subsequently, the mortality rates of the termites in all three petri dishes were evaluated at various intervals, including 1 hAT, 2 hAT, 3 hAT, 4 hAT, 24 hAT, 4 DAT, 8 DAT, and 11 DAT. The experiment was replicated twice and the average mortality rates are illustrated in the graph of FIG. 13. As indicated by the graph, the control samples demonstrated little to no mortality over the observation window, while the experimental samples in which the termites were exposed to the fipronil-impregnated reticulated foam demonstrated increasing mortality rates over the entire observation window. More specifically, the experimental samples having the 0.8 wt% fipronil- impregnated reticulated foam demonstrated a 100% mortality rate between 4 hours and 24 hoursafter treatment, while the experimental samples having the 0.1 wt% fipronil-impregnated reticulated foam demonstrated a 100% mortality rate between 4 days and 8 days after treatment.

[0068] Statements of the Disclosure:

[0069] Statement 1 : A reticulated foam member for the control of termites, the reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, the foam cell structure operable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another.

[0070] Statement 2: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 1, wherein the reticulated foam member is sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible so that it is operable to pass through a foulard machine and substantially retain its foam cell structure.

[0071] Statement 3: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 1, wherein the reticulated foam member is sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible so that it is operable to pass through a padder machine and substantially retain its foam cell structure.

[0072] Statement 4: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-3, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a cell size of from about 5 pores per inch (ppi) to about 15 ppi.

[0073] Statement 5: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-3, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a cell size of from about 8 ppi to about 12 ppi.

[0074] Statement 6: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-5, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a net density of from about 20 kilograms per cubic meter (kg / m3) to about 30 kg / m3.

[0075] Statement 7: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-5, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a net density of from about 22 kg / m3to about 28 kg / m3.

[0076] Statement 8: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-7, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.25 square meters per liter (m2 / L) to about 5 m2 / L.

[0077] Statement 9: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-8, wherein from 70% to about 99.5% of a total volume of the reticulated foam member is void volume.

[0078] Statement 10: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-9, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a foulard machine or process.

[0079] Statement 11 : The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-9, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a padder machine or process.

[0080] Statement 12: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-9, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a spray process.

[0081] Statement 13: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-12, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a polyester-polyurethane foam.

[0082] Statement 14: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-12, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a polyether-polyurethane foam.

[0083] Statement 15: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-12, wherein the reticulated foam member is a polyester-polyurethane foam.

[0084] Statement 16: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-12, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a polyether-polyurethane foam.

[0085] Statement 17: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-16, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is selected from the group consisting of a phenylpyrazole insecticide active ingredient, a neonicotinoid insecticide active ingredient, a diamide insecticide active ingredient, a metadiamide insecticide active ingredient, a phenylurea insecticide active ingredient, a sulfoxyimine insecticide active ingredient, a butenolide insecticide active ingredient, a mesoionic insecticide active ingredient, a pyridylidene insecticide active ingredient, and an isoxazoline insecticide active ingredient.

[0086] Statement 18: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-16, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients comprises a phenylpyrazole insecticide active ingredient, a diamide insecticide, a mesoionic insecticide, a neonicotinoid insecticide, or any combination thereof.

[0087] Statement 19: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-16, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is selected from the group consisting of fipronil, ethiprole, pyriprole, and any combination thereof.

[0088] Statement 20: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-19, wherein the reticulated foam member is operable to be disposed in an interior cavity of a housing, the housing comprising an interior cavity, an exterior surface, and one or more openings in the exterior surface operable to allow termites to enter the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the reticulated foam member before exiting the housing through the one or more openings.

[0089] Statement 21: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 1-19, wherein the reticulated foam member forms at least a portion of a reticulated foam cartridge operable to be received in an interior cavity of a housing, the housing comprising an interior cavity, an exterior surface, and one or more openings in the exterior surface operable to allow termites to enter the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the reticulated foam cartridge before exiting the housing through the one or more openings.

[0090] Statement 22: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 21, wherein the reticulated foam cartridge has an uncompressed thickness from about 1 centimeter (cm) to about 50 cm.

[0091] Statement 23: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 21, wherein the reticulated foam member has a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.25 square meters per liter (m2 / L) to about 5 m2 / L.

[0092] Statement 24: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 20 or Statement 21, wherein the reticulated foam member or the reticulated foam member comprises from about 0.05 weight percent (wt.%) to about 1 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated foam member or reticulated foam member.

[0093] Statement 25: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 20 or Statement 21, wherein the reticulated foam member or the reticulated foam member comprises from about 0.5 wt.% to about 0.9 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated foam member or reticulated foam member.

[0094] Statement 26: The reticulated foam member according to any one of Statements 21-23, wherein after being disposed for six months within the housing in an outdoor environment, the reticulated foam member comprises at least 0.05 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated foam member.

[0095] Statement 27: A cartridge-based termite control device comprising: a housing comprising an interior cavity configured to receive a reticulated foam cartridge and comprising a plurality ofopenings through which termites enter the interior of the housing to interact with the reticulated foam cartridge before exiting the housing; and the reticulated foam cartridge configured to be disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and comprising a reticulated foam member, the reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients effective for termite control and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, the foam cell structure operable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another.

[0096] Statement 28: The device according to Statement 27, wherein the reticulated foam member is sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible so that it is operable to pass through a foulard machine and substantially retain its foam cell structure.

[0097] Statement 29: The device according to Statement 27, wherein the reticulated foam member is sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible so that it is operable to pass through a padder machine and substantially retain its foam cell structure.

[0098] Statement 30: The device according to any one of Statements 27-29, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a cell size of from about 5 pores per inch (ppi) to about 15 PPi

[0099] Statement 31 : The device according to any one of Statements 27-29, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a cell size of from about 8 ppi to about 12 ppi.

[0100] Statement 32: The device according to any one of Statements 27-31, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a net density of from about 20 kilograms per cubic meter (kg / m3) to about 30 kg / m3.

[0101] Statement 33: The device according to any one of Statements 27-31, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a net density of from about 22 kilograms per cubic meter (kg / m3) to about 28 kg / m3.

[0102] Statement 34: The device according to any one of Statements 27-33, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.25 square meters per liter (m2 / L) to about 5 m2 / L.

[0103] Statement 35: The device according to any one of Statements 27-34, wherein from 70% to about 99.5% of a total volume of the reticulated foam member is void volume.

[0104] Statement 36: The device according to any one of Statements 27-35, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a foulard machine or process.

[0105] Statement 37: The device according to any one of Statements 27-35, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a padder machine or process.

[0106] Statement 38: The device according to any one of Statements 27-35, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a spray process.

[0107] Statement 39: The device according to any one of Statements 27-38, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a polyester-polyurethane foam.

[0108] Statement 40: The device according to any one of Statements 27-38, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a polyether-polyurethane foam.

[0109] Statement 41 : The device according to any one of Statements 27-38, wherein the reticulated foam member is a polyester-polyurethane foam.

[0110] Statement 42: The device according to any one of Statements 27-38, wherein the reticulated foam member is a polyether-polyurethane foam.[0U1] Statement 43: The device according to any one of Statements 27-42, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is selected from the group consisting of a phenylpyrazole insecticide active ingredient, a neonicotinoid insecticide active ingredient, a diamide insecticide active ingredient, a metadiamide insecticide active ingredient, a phenylurea insecticide active ingredient, a sulfoxyimine insecticide active ingredient, a butenolide insecticide active ingredient, a mesoionic insecticide active ingredient, a pyridylidene insecticide active ingredient, and an isoxazoline insecticide active ingredient.

[0112] Statement 44: The device according to any one of Statements 27-42, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients comprises a phenylpyrazole insecticide active ingredient.

[0113] Statement 45: The device according to any one of Statements 27-42, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients is selected from the group consisting of fipronil, ethiprole, pyriprole, and any combination thereof.

[0114] Statement 46: The device according to any one of Statements 27-45, wherein the reticulated foam cartridge has an uncompressed thickness from about 1 centimeter (cm) to about 50 cm.

[0115] Statement 47: The device according to any one of Statements 27-45, wherein the reticulated foam member and / or the reticulated foam cartridge comprises from about 0.05 weightpercent (wt.%) to about 1 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated foam member or reticulated foam cartridge.

[0116] Statement 48: The device according to any one of Statements 27-45, wherein the reticulated foam member and / or the reticulated foam cartridge comprises from about 0.5 wt.% to about 0.9 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated foam member or reticulated foam cartridge.

[0117] Statement 49: The device according to any one of Statements 27-48, wherein after being disposed for six months within the housing in an outdoor environment, the reticulated foam cartridge comprises at least 0.05 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated foam cartridge.

[0118] Statement 50: The device according to any one of Statements 27-49, wherein the housing is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of a resin material, a metal material, a ceramic material, and a composite thereof.

[0119] Statement 51 : The device according to any one of Statements 27-50, wherein the housing is a polymeric housing.

[0120] Statement 52: The device according to Statement 51, wherein the resin material is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, a polylactic acid resin, an acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile resin, a polypropylene resin, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, a nylon resin, a thermoplastic polyurethane resin, a polymethyl methacrylate resin, a polyvinylidene fluoride resin, a polyethylene resin, and combinations thereof.

[0121] Statement 53: A method of termite control, the method comprising: at least partially burying a housing comprising one or more openings in soil such that at least a portion of the one or more openings are buried in the soil, the housing comprising a reticulated foam member disposed in an interior cavity of the housing, the reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients effective to control termites and a foam cell structure operable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another; wherein the one or more openings in the housing are operable to allow termites to enter from an exterior of the housing into the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the reticulated foam member before exiting the housing through the one or more openings.

[0122] Statement 54: The method according to Statement 53, further comprising: disposing a reticulated foam cartridge comprising the reticulated foam member within the interior of the housing.

[0123] Statement 55: The method according to Statement 53 or Statement 54, wherein the reticulated foam cartridge is operable to expose termites that enter the housing to the one or more pesticide active ingredients such that the termites that exit the housing transmit the pesticide to a termite colony and inhibit or eradicate the termite colony.

[0124] Statement 56: The method according to any one of Statements 53-55, wherein the housing and the reticulated foam member comprises a termite control device, the method further comprising: at least partially burying a plurality of termite control devices in the soil near a base of, and along a perimeter, of a structure, wherein each of the plurality of termite control devices is spaced from about 0.5 meters (m) to about 3 m apart along the perimeter of the structure; and disposing a respective reticulated foam cartridge within a respective interior of the housing of each of the plurality of termite control devices.

[0125] Statement 57: The method according to any one of Statements 54-56, further comprising: opening a reusable packaging of the reticulated foam cartridge, wherein the reusable packaging seals and compresses the reticulated foam cartridge to protect and reduce a volume of the reticulated foam cartridge until the reusable packaging is opened to remove the reticulated foam cartridge.

[0126] Statement 58: The method according to any one of Statements 54-57, further comprising: after a predetermined period of time, removing a spent reticulated foam cartridge from the housing and compressing and sealing the spent reticulated foam cartridge within the reusable packaging.

[0127] Statement 59: The method according to Statement 58, further comprising: providing the spent reticulated foam cartridge compressed and sealed within the reusable packaging to a remanufacturing facility for a second impregnation with the one or more pesticide active ingredients to yield a renewed reticulated foam cartridge.

[0128] Statement 60: The method according to Statement 59, further comprising: providing the spent reticulated foam cartridge compressed and sealed within the reusable packaging to a recycling facility for recycling to recover the one or more pesticide active ingredients of the spent reticulated foam cartridge, the polyurethane of the spent reticulated foam cartridge, or a combination thereof.

[0129] Statement 61 : A method of manufacturing, the method comprising: exposing a reticulated polyurethane foam to an impregnation solution, wherein the impregnation solution comprises a water-soluble or water-dispersible pesticide active ingredient having insecticidal action against termites and a wetting agent; compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam to remove excess impregnation solution; and drying the reticulated polyurethane foam at elevated temperature to yield a pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0130] Statement 62: The method according to Statement 61, wherein the exposing and compressing steps are performed using a foulard impregnation system.

[0131] Statement 63: The method according to Statement 61, wherein the exposing and compressing steps are performed using a padder impregnation system.

[0132] Statement 64: The method according to any one of Statements 61-63, wherein exposing comprises submerging the reticulated polyurethane foam in the impregnation solution.

[0133] Statement 65: The method according to any one of Statements 61-64, wherein compressing comprises compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam between two counterrotating rollers at a speed from about 0.5 meters per minute (m / min) to about 10 m / min, and wherein a pressure applied to the reticulated polyurethane foam is from about 1 bar to about 10 bar.

[0134] Statement 66: The method according to any one of Statements 61-65, wherein the pesticide comprises fipronil, and wherein the pesticide active ingredient comprises from about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of the impregnation solution.

[0135] Statement 67: The method according to any one of Statements 61-66, wherein the wetting agent comprises a polyether trisiloxane or a polyalkyleneoxide-modified heptamethyltrisiloxane, and wherein the wetting agent comprises from about 0.01 wt.% to about 1 wt.% of the impregnation solution.

[0136] Statement 68: The method according to any one of Statements 61-67, wherein the impregnation solution comprises a binder, wherein the binder is an aqueous dispersion of a styrene acrylate copolymer having about 50 wt.% polymer solids, and wherein the polymer solids comprise from about 0.05 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of the impregnation solution.

[0137] Statement 69: The method according to any one of Statements 61-68, wherein the impregnation solution comprises a biocide that prevents microbial growth, wherein the biocide comprises a 3: 1 mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one and 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, an aqueous dipropylene glycol solution having about 20 wt.% l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-on as a sodium salt, or a combination thereof, and wherein the impregnation solution comprises from about 0.01 wt.% to about 0.05 wt.% of the biocide.

[0138] Statement 70: The method according to any one of Statements 61-69, wherein the impregnation solution is substantially free of volatile organic solvents.

[0139] Statement 71 : The method according to any one of Statements 61-70, wherein, after drying, the reticulated polyurethane foam includes about 0.8 wt.% of the pesticide based on the weight of the reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0140] Statement 72: The method according to any one of Statements 61-71, wherein drying comprises heating the reticulated polyurethane foam from about 75 degrees Celsius (°C) to about 150 °C for a length of time from about 0.5 minutes to about 10 minutes.

[0141] Statement 73: The method according to any one of Statements 61-71, wherein drying comprises heating the reticulated polyurethane foam to about 120 °C for about 2.5 minutes at a reduced pressure from about 0.90 bar gauge (barg) to about 0.99 barg.

[0142] Statement 74: The method according to any one of Statements 61-73, further comprising: compressing and sealing portions of the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam in a packaging.

[0143] Statement 75: The method according to any one of Statements 61-73, further comprising: stacking multiple layers of the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam to form a reticulated foam cartridge of a cartridge-based termite control device.

[0144] Statement 76: The method according to any one of Statements 61-75, further comprising: forming a polyurethane foam that comprises a plurality of closed cells; and reticulating the polyurethane foam using a mixture of hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) at elevated temperature to open the plurality of closed cells, yielding the reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0145] Statement 77: A reticulated foam member for control of termites, the reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, the foam cell structure operable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another.

[0146] Statement 78: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 77, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a cell size of from about 5 pores per inch (ppi) to about 15 ppi.

[0147] Statement 79: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 77 or Statement 78, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.25 square meters per liter (m2 / L) to about 5 m2 / L, and wherein from 70% to about 99.5% of a total volume of the reticulated foam member is void volume

[0148] Statement 80: The reticulated foam member according to any of Statements 77-79, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients are impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a foulard machine or a padder machine, and wherein the reticulated foam member is sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible so that it is operable to pass through a foulard machine or a padder machine and substantially retain its foam cell structure.

[0149] Statement 81 : The reticulated foam member according to any of Statements 77-80, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a polyester-polyurethane foam or a polyetherpolyurethane foam.

[0150] Statement 82: The reticulated foam member according to any of Statements 77-81, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients comprise a phenylpyrazole insecticide active ingredient.

[0151] Statement 83: The reticulated foam member according to any of Statements 77-82, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises from about 0.05 weight percent (wt.%) to about 1 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated foam member.

[0152] Statement 84: The reticulated foam member according to any of Statements 77-83, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises from about 0.5 wt.% to about 0.9 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated foam member.

[0153] Statement 85: The reticulated foam member according to any of Statements 77-84, wherein the reticulated foam member forms at least a portion of a reticulated foam cartridge operable to be received in an interior cavity of a housing, the housing comprising an exterior surface and one or more openings in the exterior surface operable to allow termites to enter the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the reticulated foam cartridge before exiting the housing through the one or more openings.

[0154] Statement 86: The reticulated foam member according to Statement 85, wherein, after being disposed for six months within the housing in an outdoor environment, the reticulated foammember comprises at least 0.05 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated foam member.

[0155] Statement 87: A method of manufacturing, the method comprising: exposing a reticulated polyurethane foam to an impregnation solution, wherein the impregnation solution comprises a wetting agent and a water-soluble or water-dispersible pesticide active ingredient having slow- acting insecticidal action against termites; compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam to remove excess impregnation solution; and drying the reticulated polyurethane foam at elevated temperature to yield a pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0156] Statement 88: The method according to Statement 87, wherein the exposing and compressing steps are performed using a foulard impregnation system or a padder impregnation system.

[0157] Statement 89: The method according to Statement 87 or Statement 88, wherein compressing comprises compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam between two counterrotating rollers at a speed from about 0.5 meters per minute (m / min) to about 10 m / min, and wherein a pressure applied to the reticulated polyurethane foam is from about 1 bar to about 10 bar.

[0158] Statement 90: The method according to any of Statements 87-89, wherein the impregnation solution comprises from about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of fipronil as the pesticide active ingredient and from about 0.01 wt.% to about 1 wt.% of the wetting agent.

[0159] Statement 91 : The method according to any of Statements 87-90, wherein the impregnation solution comprises from about 0.05 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of binder polymer solids and from about 0.01 wt.% to about 0.05 wt.% of a biocide that prevents microbial growth, and wherein the impregnation solution is substantially free of volatile organic solvents.

[0160] Statement 92: The method according to any of Statements 87-91, wherein drying comprises heating the reticulated polyurethane foam from about 75 degrees Celsius (°C) to about 150 °C for a length of time from about 0.5 minutes to about 10 minutes, and wherein, after drying, the reticulated polyurethane foam includes about 0.8 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated polyurethane foam.

[0161] Statement 93 : The method according to any of Statements 87-92, further comprising: stacking multiple layers of the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam to form a reticulated foam cartridge of a cartridge-based termite control device.

[0162] Statement 94: A method of termite control, the method comprising: positioning a termite control device in an outdoor area, the termite control device comprising a housing with one or more openings and an interior cavity; and disposing a reticulated foam cartridge within the interior cavity of the housing, the reticulated foam cartridge comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients effective to control termites and a foam cell structure operable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another; wherein the one or more openings in the housing are operable to allow termites to enter from an exterior of the housing into the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the reticulated foam cartridge before exiting the housing through the one or more openings, and the reticulated foam cartridge is operable to expose termites that enter the housing to the one or more pesticide active ingredients such that the termites that exit the housing transmit the one or more pesticide active ingredients to a termite colony and inhibit or eradicate the termite colony.

[0163] Statement 95: The method according to Statement 94, wherein positioning the termite control device in the outdoor area comprises at least partially burying the housing in soil such that at least a portion of the one or more openings are buried in the soil.

[0164] Statement 96: The method according to Statement 94, wherein positioning the termite control device in the outdoor area comprises at least partially burying the housing in the soil such that one or more openings are completely buried in the soil.

[0165] Statement 97: The method according to any one of Statements 94-96, the method further comprising: positioning a plurality of termite control devices in the outdoor area near a base of, and along a perimeter of, a structure, wherein each of the plurality of termite control devices is spaced from about 0.5 meters (m) to about 3 m apart along the perimeter of the structure; and disposing a respective reticulated foam cartridge within a respective interior of the housing of each of the plurality of termite control devices.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A reticulated foam member for control of termites, the reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients having an insecticidal action against termites and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, wherein the foam cell structure suitable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another.

2. The reticulated foam member according to claim 1, wherein the reticulated foam member has a cell size of from about 5 pores per inch (ppi) to about 15 ppi.

3. The reticulated foam member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reticulated foam member has a surface area to volume ratio from about 0.25 square meters per liter (m2 / L) to about 5 m2 / L, and wherein from 70% to about 99.5% of a total volume of the reticulated foam member is void volume.

4. The reticulated foam member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients are impregnated into the reticulated foam member using a foulard machine or a padder machine, and wherein the reticulated foam member is sufficiently flexible, elastic, and / or compressible so that it is operable to pass through a foulard machine or a padder machine and substantially retain its foam cell structure.

5. The reticulated foam member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises a polyester-polyurethane foam or a polyether-polyurethane foam.

6. The reticulated foam member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the one or more pesticide active ingredients are one or more slow-acting pesticide active ingredients comprising a phenylpyrazole insecticide active ingredient, a diamide insecticide, a mesoionic insecticide, a neonicotinoid insecticide, or any combination thereof; and wherein the reticulated foam member comprises from about 0.05 weight percent (wt.%)to about 1 wt.% of the one or more pesticide active ingredients based on the weight of the reticulated foam member.

7. A reticulated foam cartridge for the control of termites, the reticulated foam cartridge comprising a reticulated foam member, the reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients effective for the control of termites and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, wherein the foam cell structure is suitable to allow termites to enter and move from one cell to another, the reticulated foam cartridge suitable to be received in an interior cavity of a housing.

8. The reticulated foam cartridge according to claim 7, comprising a stack of at least two layers of a reticulated foam member, the reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, wherein the foam cell structure allows termites to enter and move from one cell to another.

9. A termite control device comprising: a housing comprising an exterior surface, an interior cavity, and one or more openings in the exterior surface suitable to allow termites to enter from an exterior of the housing; and a reticulated foam member according to any one of claims 1-6 disposed in the interior cavity of the housing, the reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, wherein the foam cell structure allows termites to enter and move from one cell to another.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the reticulated foam member forms at least a portion of a reticulated foam cartridge which can be inserted into and / or removed from the interior cavity of the housing.

11. A method of manufacturing the reticulated foam member for control of termites, the method comprising: providing a reticulated foam member comprising a foam cell structure which comprises a plurality of cells, wherein the foam cell structure allows termites to enter and move from one cellto another; exposing a reticulated polyurethane foam to an impregnation solution such that one or more pesticide active ingredients is applied to the reticulated foam member, wherein the impregnation solution comprises a wetting agent and one or more water-soluble or water- dispersible pesticide active ingredients; compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam to remove excess impregnation solution; and drying the reticulated polyurethane foam at elevated temperature to yield a pesticide- impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the compressing step is performed using a foulard impregnation system or a padder impregnation system.

13. The method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein compressing comprises compressing the reticulated polyurethane foam between two counter-rotating rollers at a speed from about 0.5 meters per minute (m / min) to about 10 m / min, and wherein a pressure applied to the reticulated polyurethane foam is from about 1 bar to about 10 bar; and wherein drying comprises heating the reticulated polyurethane foam from about 75 degrees Celsius (°C) to about 150 °C for a length of time from about 0.5 minutes to about 10 minutes, and wherein, after drying, the reticulated polyurethane foam includes about 0.8 wt.% of the pesticide active ingredient based on the weight of the reticulated polyurethane foam.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the impregnation solution comprises: from about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of fipronil as the pesticide active ingredient; from about 0.01 wt.% to about 1 wt.% of the wetting agent; from about 0.05 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of binder polymer solids; and from about 0.01 wt.% to about 0.05 wt.% of a biocide that prevents microbial growth; wherein the impregnation solution is substantially free of volatile organic solvents.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising: stacking multiple layers of the pesticide-impregnated reticulated polyurethane foam to form a reticulated foam cartridge of a cartridge-based termite control device.

16. A method of termite control, the method comprising: positioning a termite control device in an outdoor area, the termite control device comprising a housing and a reticulated foam member in an interior cavity of the housing, wherein the reticulated foam member comprises one or more pesticide active ingredients and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, wherein the foam cell structure allows termites to enter and move from one cell to another, wherein the housing comprises an exterior surface and one or more openings in the exterior surface which allow termites to enter from an exterior of the housing into the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the pesticide active ingredients before exiting the housing through the one or more openings.

17. The method of termite control according to claim 16, the method further comprising: disposing a reticulated foam cartridge within the interior cavity of the housing, the reticulated foam cartridge comprising a reticulated foam member comprising one or more pesticide active ingredients and a foam cell structure comprising a plurality of cells, wherein the foam cell structure allows termites to enter and move from one cell to another; wherein the one or more openings in the housing allow termites to enter from an exterior of the housing into the interior cavity of the housing and interact with the pesticide active ingredients before exiting the housing through the one or more openings.

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