Pest Control Using Specific Wavelength Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pest control methods, such as chemical pesticides and optical control using light, face challenges like environmental pollution, pesticide resistance, and ineffectiveness against eggs and larvae, with existing light-based methods being limited in their ability to control nocturnal insects and having no direct insecticidal effect on higher arthropods.
Innovation Solution
Irradiating eggs, larvae, or pupae with specific short-wavelength visible light in the 400 to 500 nm range at a light intensity of 7×10^17 photons/m^2/s or higher to inhibit metamorphosis and kill pests, using a pest control apparatus with adjustable light sources and filters to target various pest species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical pesticides are used for pest control, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and pesticide resistance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical control methods with optical control methods using light. Specifically, it uses light sources emitting in the 280-315 nm ultraviolet region and 315-400 nm visible light region to control pests, substituting chemical substances with electromagnetic radiation to eliminate environmental pollution while maintaining control effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameters of light used for pest control. It specifically employs ultraviolet light (280-315 nm) and visible light (315-400 nm) wavelengths that are effective for pest control while being safe for humans and livestock, optimizing the spectral parameters to achieve both effectiveness and safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biological pesticides are used for pest control, then environmental safety is improved, but control effectiveness reduces at low temperatures and higher costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces biological control methods with optical control methods. Instead of using living organisms (predators, parasites) that are temperature-sensitive, it uses light sources that emit specific wavelengths (280-400 nm) to control pests, eliminating temperature dependence while maintaining environmental safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs light sources that can be operated periodically or continuously to control pests. The light emission can be adjusted in timing and duration, providing flexible control that is not affected by temperature variations, unlike biological control agents
3Ease of operation
If optical control methods using ultraviolet to blue light are used, then convenience and low cost are improved, but effectiveness against eggs, larvae, and nocturnal insects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent expands the wavelength range of light used for pest control to include 280-315 nm ultraviolet region and 315-400 nm visible light region. This broader spectral coverage enhances effectiveness against various pest stages (eggs, larvae, adults) and nocturnal insects while maintaining convenience and cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal pest control system that can control multiple types of pests including agricultural pests, hygiene pests, and stored product pests across different life stages. The light sources emitting 280-400 nm wavelengths serve multiple functions: killing adults, preventing egg hatching, and stopping larval development
4Reliability
If light of specific wavelength 380 to 500 nm is used to disrupt light and dark adaptation, then adult control is improved, but effectiveness against eggs and larvae lacking compound eyes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts from using 380-500 nm light that targets compound eyes to using 280-315 nm ultraviolet and 315-400 nm visible light. This wavelength change enables penetration and effect on eggs, larvae, and pupae that lack compound eyes, while still maintaining effectiveness against adults, achieving universal coverage across all pest life stages
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively prevents the development and proliferation of pests, is highly safe and convenient, with minimal environmental impact, and can be applied to various pest species including agricultural, hygiene, and stored product pests.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for pest control, configured such that the light source is capable of emitting light in a wavelength range of 280 to 500 nm
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength selective filter, configured such that the wavelength selective filter transmits light in a wavelength range of 280 to 500 nm
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling pests, which is effective against a variety of pests, highly safe, simple, and environmentally friendly. Provided is a pest control method for exterminating a targeted pest by the exposing the eggs, larvae or pupae of the targeted pest to visible light having a specific wavelength within a wavelength region of 400 to 500 nm at a light intensity of 7×1017 photons·m−2·s−1 or greater.