Pest control agent and control method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a control agent and a control method that immediately control pests including gastropods and annelid worms, and are highly safe for humans, livestock, pet animals, and birds. The present invention provides a pest control agent which contains nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof as an active ingredient. The nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof is preferably nicotinic acid or nicotinic acid amide, and is preferably a mixture that contains at least both nicotinic acid and nicotinic acid amide. The dosage form of the control agent is preferably any one of a liquid agent, a stock solution-spraying agent, an aerosol agent, a solid agent, a tablet, a powder agent, a granule agent, a bait agent, and an agent to be used by impregnation. The dosage form preferably contains 0.001-30 wt% of nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof. The present invention also provides a pest control method in which a stock powder or a stock solution of the pest control agent is diluted with water so as to be 1-100,000 ppm, and then sprayed or impregnated for use.

Description

Pest control agent and control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a pest control agent and a control method.

[0002] Currently, for those engaged in agriculture and horticulture, the control and prevention of pests that damage crops and plants are major problems.

[0003] Among such pests, particularly gastropods such as slugs and snails appear everywhere in greenhouses, gardens, fields, etc., which are unpleasant. In addition, in the cultivation of agricultural and horticultural crops, they damage useful crops and cause great damage.

[0004] Also, although different from gastropods, annelids, particularly leeches, attach to the human body in the mountains and suck blood, which is unpleasant for those engaged in agriculture and horticulture. In addition, since it is necessary to stop bleeding, it becomes a major obstacle to work. On the other hand, among annelids, earthworms are largely involved in soil improvement and are generally regarded as beneficial animals. However, in the greens of golf courses, they may form fecal mounds and may also be treated as pests.

[0005] As a prior art document of a gastropod control agent, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gastropod attracting and controlling agent characterized by containing a gastropod control compound together with yeast and / or an animal diet component. It is also described that the gastropod control compound is metaaldehyde.

[0006] Also, although different from the control effect, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for peeling gastropods, in which a gastropod peeling agent containing nicotinic acid, nicotinamide or a mixture thereof is added to a bamboo blind or a water tank where gastropods adhere to the wall surface so that the concentration of nicotinic acid in the bamboo blind or the water tank (however, nicotinamide is converted to nicotinic acid concentration) becomes 1 to 1000 mg / liter to peel the gastropods adhering to the wall surface of the bamboo blind or the water tank.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-184901 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-005614

[0008] Currently, the main pest control agents used against gastropod pests like those described above are those containing metaldehyde or ferric phosphate as active ingredients, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0009] Furthermore, leeches are known to detach quickly from the skin when exposed to alcohol or saline solution, and repellents containing mixtures of these substances are also sold commercially.

[0010] However, metaldehyde has low safety for humans, livestock, pets, and birds, and is a neurotoxic component with reported cases of poisoning, raising concerns about its use as a pest control agent in agriculture and horticulture.

[0011] On the other hand, ferric phosphate is a component that exists in natural soil, so it is extremely safe, but because it is a solid, gastropods must come into direct contact with or ingest the control agent, which presents the challenge of not being fast-acting.

[0012] Furthermore, spraying leeches with alcohol or saline solution can irritate the skin, and depending on where the leeches are attached, there is a risk of the solution entering the eyes or wounds. Therefore, safer control agents are needed.

[0013] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a pest control agent and method that can quickly control harmful organisms, including gastropods and annelids, and that are highly safe for humans, livestock, pets, and birds.

[0014] The inventors conducted thorough research and found that by using nicotinic acid or its derivatives as the active ingredient, they were able to create a pest control agent and method that can immediately control harmful organisms, including gastropods and annelids, while being highly safe for humans, livestock, pets, and birds, thus completing the present invention. In other words, the present invention provides the following:

[0015] (1) A first aspect of the present invention is a pest control agent characterized by containing nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof as an active ingredient.

[0016] (2) A second aspect of the present invention is a pest control agent as described in (1), characterized in that the nicotinic acid or its derivative is nicotinic acid or nicotinamide.

[0017] (3) A third aspect of the present invention is a pest control agent as described in (1), characterized in that it is a mixture containing at least both nicotinic acid and nicotinamide as nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof.

[0018] (4) A fourth aspect of the present invention is a pest control agent as described in (1), characterized in that the dosage form of the control agent is any of the following: a liquid, a concentrated spray (AL agent), an aerosol, a solid agent solidified into a stick or sheet, a tablet, a powder, a granule, a bait, or an agent used by impregnation.

[0019] (5) A fifth aspect of the present invention is a pest control agent as described in (4), characterized in that it contains 0.001 to 30% by weight of nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof.

[0020] (6) A sixth aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling harmful organisms, characterized in that the pest control agent described in (1) is diluted with water from the raw powder or undiluted solution to 1 ppm to 100,000 ppm and used by spraying or impregnation.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pest control agent and method that can quickly control harmful organisms, including gastropods and annelids, and that are highly safe for humans, livestock, pets, and birds.

[0022] The following describes in detail embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "this embodiment"). This embodiment is illustrative for explaining the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention to the following content. The present invention can be implemented by modifying it as appropriate within the scope of its gist.

[0023] In this invention, "pest control" includes not only the biocidal effect of eliminating target organisms, but also so-called repellent or intrusion prevention effects that prevent target organisms from entering a specific area.

[0024] <Pest Control Agent> The pest control agent according to this embodiment contains a nicotinic acid derivative as an active ingredient. In this case, the pests targeted by the control agent include gastropods and leeches, but also other annelids other than leeches, such as root-knot nematodes (sweet potato root-knot nematode, northern root-knot nematode, etc.), root-lesion nematodes (walnut root-lesion nematode, northern root-lesion nematode, etc.), cyst nematodes (soybean cyst nematode, potato cyst nematode), and potato rot nematodes, as well as earthworms such as red worms, common earthworms, and large earthworms. The gastropods and annelids targeted by the control agent are not particularly limited to those considered pests in agriculture and horticulture, but it is especially suitable for gastropods (class Gastropoda) such as snails like *Pseudorasbora parva*, *Pseudorasbora japonica*, *Pseudorasbora japonica*, and *Pseudorasbora japonica*, slugs such as *Pseudorasbora japonica*, *Pseudorasbora japonica*, *Pseudorasbora japonica*, and *Pseudorasbora japonica*, as well as blood-sucking leeches such as *Pseudorasbora japonica*, *Pseudorasbora parva*, and *Pseudorasbora japonica*, and annelids such as the nematodes and earthworms mentioned above. The components contained in the control agent will be described in detail below.

[0025] (Nicotinic Acid Derivatives) The nicotinic acid or its derivatives included as an active ingredient in the pest control agent according to this embodiment are not particularly limited as long as they are nicotinic acid or derivatives derived from nicotinic acid, but from the viewpoint of control effect, nicotinic acid or nicotinamide is preferred. Nicotinic acid or nicotinamide is collectively called "niacin" and corresponds to vitamin B3 in the vitamin B group. Vitamin B3 plays an important role as a coenzyme for oxidoreductase in human energy metabolism, and in other words, nicotinic acid or nicotinamide is a component that normally exists in the human body, so it is extremely safe. Furthermore, it does not cause irritation even if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes.

[0026] As described in Patent Document 2, nicotinic acid or its derivatives are known to have a kind of anesthetic effect when brought into contact with gastropods and annelids. The pest control agent of the present invention uses nicotinic acid or its derivatives as an active ingredient, which immediately paralyzes the movement of gastropods and annelids in particular, preventing crop damage and blood-sucking of humans. Furthermore, especially in summer or on sunny days, gastropods and annelids remain paralyzed and eventually die from starvation or dehydration, eliminating the need for repeated spraying and providing a superior control effect that differs from the temporary anesthetic effect described in Patent Document 2.

[0027] The pest control agent according to this embodiment may be a mixture containing at least nicotinic acid and nicotinamide as nicotinic acid or its derivatives. Furthermore, the concentration of nicotinic acid or its derivatives contained in the control agent is not particularly limited, as it also varies depending on the formulation described later. However, for example, in the case of the preferred formulation described later, the control agent preferably contains 0.001 to 30% by weight of nicotinic acid or its derivatives. By keeping the concentration of nicotinic acid or its derivatives within the above numerical range, gastropods and annelids can be controlled more quickly and effectively.

[0028] (Other Components) The pest control agent according to this embodiment may have other components added as appropriate, depending on the dosage form and method of use described later. Other components may include, for example, water to dilute the control agent, but other components such as fillers, stabilizers, thickeners, fragrances, pigments, defoamers, light stabilizers (ultraviolet absorbers), pH adjusters, antifreeze, preservatives, propellants, antioxidants, and various other components.

[0029] When adding water for dilution, one or more types of water can be used, such as tap water, deionized water, distilled water, filtered water, sterilized water, or natural water such as groundwater, in a mixture of two or more types.

[0030] Furthermore, organic solvents and surfactants may be added to improve the stability, efficacy, and residual effect of the formulation. Suitable organic solvents include methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, glycerin, and sorbitol. Suitable surfactants include nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers and polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, and anionic surfactants such as lignin sulfonates and naphthalene sulfonates.

[0031] Furthermore, the pest control agent according to this embodiment may contain active ingredients other than nicotinic acid or its derivatives as a mixture. Examples of active ingredients other than nicotinic acid or its derivatives include metaldehyde and ferric phosphate, which have been used as active ingredients in conventional gastropod control agents. These active ingredients can be added as appropriate, as long as they do not inhibit the effects of the present invention.

[0032] (Dosage Form) The dosage form of the pest control agent according to this embodiment is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the type of active ingredient, target pest, application timing, application location, application method, etc. However, it is preferable to use any of the following: liquid, undiluted spray (AL), aerosol, solid formulation in stick or sheet form, tablet, powder, granule, bait, or formulation used by impregnation. By using any of the above dosage forms, gastropods and annelids can be controlled more quickly and effectively.

[0033] Furthermore, if the pest control agent according to this embodiment is in the form of a liquid, aerosol, or powder, it is preferable to spray it on or around plants, or on mountain paths or work areas where people pass through. If the control agent is in the form of a solid, tablet, granule, or bait, which is made by kneading the control agent together with a filler or the like and solidifying it, it is preferable to place it appropriately on or around plants, or on mountain paths or work areas where people pass through. In addition, if the pest control agent according to this embodiment is a liquid, it may be sprayed directly or diluted, or if it is an agent used by impregnation, it may be used by impregnating silica gel granules, sheet-like cardboard, nonwoven fabric, rope, etc.

[0034] <Control Method> The method for controlling pests using the pest control agent according to this embodiment is basically the same as the method of using the control agent. If it is a spray agent, it can be sprayed on or around the plant, and if it is a solid agent, it can be placed around the plant or wrapped around the stems and branches to exert its control effect. The plant may be a part of or all of an agricultural or horticultural crop.

[0035] The amount used and other conditions can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the type of active ingredient, the type of formulation, the target pests, the timing of application, the location of application, and the method of application. For example, when used as a spray for gastropods and annelids, it is preferable to dilute the raw powder or undiluted solution with water to a concentration of 1 ppm to 100,000 ppm. By keeping the dilution concentration within the above numerical range, gastropods and annelids can be controlled more quickly and effectively.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0037] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited in any way to the examples shown below.

[0038] <Test 1: Efficacy Test as a Diluted Spray Agent> In the following Tests 1 to 3, efficacy tests were conducted against slugs. First, in Test 1, as shown in Table 1, four brown slugs were released into 15 cm diameter petri dishes in each of the test plots No. 1 to 8, and after 1 minute, each control agent was sprayed either undiluted or diluted with water to the specified concentration (no agent was sprayed in test plot No. 8). Two and five days after spraying, the condition of the slugs in each test plot was observed, and the paralysis mortality rate was calculated based on the condition as described below. Note that the 10% nicotinamide solution was diluted 10 to 2000 times using water. Furthermore, Mykiller L (Sankei Chemical Co., Ltd.), a metaldehyde-based insecticide, was diluted 400 times with water, while Sanyol Liquid AL (Yonezawa Chemical Co., Ltd.), a dodecylbenzenesulfonate bisethylenediamine copper complex (II) (DBEDC)-based insecticide, was used undiluted.

[0039] (Slug status) Surviving: Moving around without any particular change. Paralyzed: Convulsing or moving slowly. Dead: Not moving. (Paralysis death rate) Paralysis death rate = (Number of paralyzed or dead slugs) / (Total number of slugs) × 100

[0040] The results of the above tests are shown in Table 1.

[0041] As shown in Table 1, in test plots No. 1 to 3, all slugs were paralyzed two days after application and completely died after five days, resulting in a paralysis-induced death rate of 100% in all cases. This confirmed that the treatment exhibited excellent control effects against slugs, comparable to conventional gastropod control agents in test plots No. 6 and 7. On the other hand, in test plot No. 4, the paralysis-induced death rate was 100% after two days, but only 50% after five days, and in No. 5, the paralysis-induced death rate was 0% at both two and five days.

[0042] <Test 2: Effect test as a stock solution spraying agent (AL agent)> Next, as Test 2, as shown in Table 2, filter paper was laid in petri dishes with an inner diameter of 15 cm in Test Sections No. 9 to 18, and 4 slugs were released. After 1 minute, 2 drops of the test solution (stock solution) prepared at each concentration were dropped onto the insect bodies (in Test Section No. 18, nothing was sprayed). After spraying (dropping), the state of the slugs in each test section was observed 1 hour and 1 day later, and the following states were confirmed. In the test solutions in Test Sections 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, and 16, in addition to nicotinamide, Platene 80 (Sankeikagaku Co., Ltd.), a nonionic surfactant as a spreading agent, was added at 5% or 1%.

[0043] (State of slugs) Survival: Moving around without any particular change. Paralysis: Twitching or having slow movement. Death: Not moving.

[0044] The results of the above tests are shown in Table 2.

[0045] As shown in Table 2, in Test Sections No. 9 to 11, all the slugs were in a paralyzed state 1 hour after spraying (dropping), and almost all died 1 day later. Therefore, it was confirmed that the control agent of the present invention as a stock solution spraying agent in Test Sections No. 9 to 11 exhibits an excellent control effect against slugs. Also, in the concentration ranges of 10 ppm and 1 ppm where there was no effect without addition, effects were confirmed in Test Sections 12, 13, 15, and 16 to which Platene 80 was added, and it was also confirmed that the effects can be exerted when formulated as a stock solution spraying agent.

[0046] <Test 3: Effect test as an agent for impregnation and use> Next, as Test 3, as shown in Table 3, filter paper with the central part cut out (outer peripheral width 2 cm) was laid in a petri dish with an inner diameter of 15 cm, and 5 mL of the test solution (stock solution) prepared at each concentration was impregnated into the filter paper (in Test Section No. 23, 5 mL of water was impregnated). Immediately after impregnation, 4 slugs were released at the center of the petri dish. After releasing the slugs, the state of the slugs in each test section was observed 1 hour and 1 day later, and the following states were confirmed.

[0047] (Slug state) Stay: Stays in the central part where no filter paper is laid. Escape: Moves on the filter paper and escapes from the central part.

[0048] The results of the above tests are shown in Table 3.

[0049] As shown in Table 3, in test plots No. 19 - 22, the slugs moved from the central part to the peripheral part, but when they contacted the filter paper impregnated with the test solution, they immediately returned to the central part at any concentration. Also, one day after spraying, the filter paper was dry, but the slugs did not move on the filter paper and immediately returned to the central part even if they moved, so the repellent effect and invasion prevention effect of the control agent of the present invention against slugs were confirmed.

[0050] <Test 4: Effect test on mountain leeches> Next, as Test 4, as shown in Table 4, the surfaces of general rubber boots were treated with each chemical, and the boots were worn and entered into the mountains where mountain leeches inhabit, and it was confirmed which of the following behaviors the individuals that came close took. In test plot No. 26, as the chemical, Yamabiru Fighter (Ikari Disinfection Co., Ltd.), a generally sold mountain leech repellent, was used.

[0051] (Behavior of mountain leeches) Leave: When touching the treated surface of the boots, the mountain leeches changed direction and left the boots. Also, when the mountain leeches were forced to ride on the boots, they could not walk normally and fell. Approach: Even when touching the treated surface of the boots, the mountain leeches did not change direction and walked on the treated surface of the boots as they were.

[0052] The results of the above tests are shown in Table 4.

[0053] As shown in Table 4, in test plots No. 24 - 25, all the mountain leeches took the behavior of leaving the treated surface of the boots. Also, since the effect was the same as that of No. 26 treated with Yamabiru Fighter, the repellent effect and invasion prevention effect of the control agent of the present invention against mountain leeches were confirmed.

[0054] <Test 5: Efficacy Test against Nematodes> Next, as Test 5, an efficacy test against nematodes was conducted. As shown in Table 5, chemical solutions of the predetermined treatment concentrations were placed in test tubes, and 345 to 374 sweet potato root-knot nematodes were released into each. After 72 hours, the survival status was confirmed under a microscope, and the corrected mortality rate was calculated using the following formula. In Test Section No. 28, Guardhope Liquid (Ishihara Bioscience Co., Ltd.), a commercially available insecticide for nematodes, was used as the chemical agent.

[0055] (Adjusted mortality rate) Adjusted mortality rate = (Number of nematodes that died) / (Total number of nematodes) × 100

[0056]

[0057] As shown in Table 5, the corrected mortality rate in test plot No. 27 was 97.8%, confirming that it exhibits excellent control efficacy against nematodes, equivalent to that of Guardhope liquid in test plot No. 28.

[0058] <Test 6: Efficacy Test on Earthworms> Finally, as Test 6, an efficacy test on earthworms was conducted. As shown in Table 6, chemical solutions at the specified treatment concentrations were placed in test tubes, and 18 red earthworms were immersed in each. After immersion treatment, the red earthworms were placed on the field soil, and their survival was visually confirmed after 48 hours. The corrected mortality rate was calculated using the following formula.

[0059] (Adjusted Mortality Rate) Adjusted mortality rate = (Number of dead earthworms) / (Total number of earthworms) × 100

[0060]

[0061] As shown in Table 6, in test plot No. 32, all earthworms spontaneously burrowed into the field soil, but in test plot No. 30, all earthworms placed on the field soil after soaking were unable to burrow and died. In test plot No. 31, nearly 90% of the individuals burrowed spontaneously, and few individuals died. According to the results in Table 6, it was confirmed that the control agent of the present invention exhibits excellent control effects against earthworms.

[0062] Based on the above examples, it has been confirmed that the present invention provides a pest control agent and method that can immediately control harmful organisms, including gastropods and annelids, and is highly safe for humans, livestock, pets, and birds.

Claims

1. A pest control agent characterized by containing nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof as an active ingredient.

2. The pest control agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the nicotinic acid or its derivative is nicotinic acid or nicotinamide.

3. The pest control agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the nicotinic acid or its derivative is a mixture containing at least both nicotinic acid and nicotinamide.

4. The pest control agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the formulation of the control agent is a liquid, a concentrated spray (AL agent), an aerosol, a solid agent solidified into a stick or sheet, a tablet, a powder, a granule, a bait, or an agent used by impregnation.

5. The pest control agent according to claim 4, characterized by containing 0.001 to 30% by weight of nicotinic acid or a derivative thereof.

6. A method for controlling harmful organisms, characterized by diluting the pest control agent described in claim 1 with water to a concentration of 1 ppm to 100,000 ppm from the raw powder or undiluted solution, and using it by spraying or impregnation.

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