Predator Pheromone Composition to Prevent Rodent Habituation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rodent control methods, such as poisoned baits and traps, pose health and environmental risks, have limited effectiveness due to rodent learning and habituation, and require frequent maintenance, while repellent substances are often toxic.
Innovation Solution
A pheromonal composition combining territorial marking pheromones from rodent predators and alarm pheromones is used to simulate the presence of multiple predators alternately, preventing habituation and maintaining repellent effect over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If poisoned baits are used for rodent control, then rodent population is reduced, but health and environmental risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic chemical baits with a biological/chemical signaling system using pheromones. Instead of using poisonous substances to kill rodents, the invention uses predator pheromones (chemical signals) to trigger fear responses and avoidance behavior in rodents, thereby controlling their population without toxic effects on humans or the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces predator pheromones as an intermediary substance that mediates between the controller and the rodent. These pheromones act as chemical messengers that convey predator presence information to rodents, causing them to avoid treated areas without direct human intervention or toxic substances.
2Productivity
If traps are used for rodent control, then rodent population is reduced, but the control effect is limited and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pheromones in advance to create a protective olfactory barrier before rodent infestation occurs. The pheromones are deposited on surfaces and structures ahead of time, establishing a persistent repellent effect that prevents rodents from entering or remaining in treated areas, eliminating the need for frequent trapping and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a continuous repellent effect through pheromone deposition that persists over time. Unlike traps that require checking and resetting, the pheromonal treatment maintains a constant olfactory deterrent presence, providing ongoing rodent control without interruption or human intervention.
3Productivity
If single predator pheromone is used, then rodents are repelled initially, but habituation occurs over time reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple different predator pheromones into a single compositional treatment. By merging pheromones from various predator species (e.g., feline, canine, mustelid predators), the invention creates a complex olfactory mixture that rodents cannot easily habituate to, as each pheromone component represents a different threat signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic pheromone composition where different predator pheromones work together to produce a changing olfactory profile. The interaction between multiple pheromone components creates a more complex and variable scent signature that adapts to prevent rodent learning and habituation, maintaining long-term repellent effectiveness.
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 deters rodents by using a pheromonal composition comprising a combination of territorial marking pheromones and alarm pheromones from rodent predators, providing a non-toxic and sustainable rodent control solution.
Implementation Method 1
alternate olfactory simulation (AOS) of the presence of these predators, which deters rodents from the area or objects to be protected
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pheromonal composition comprising: (a) 6.0% to 12.0% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of a mixture of dimethyl azelate, dimethyl pimelate, capric acid, lauric acid, ethyl palmitate and ethyl oleate; or 6.0% to 12.0% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of a mixture of capric acid, ethyl laurate or lauric acid, ethyl myristate, ethyl pentadecanoate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl oleate and ethyl linoleate; (b) 100 ppm to 5000 ppm, relative to the total weight of the composition, of a component (b) selected from 2-phenylethylamine, pyrazines substituted by 1, 2, 3 or 4 (C1-C6)alkyl groups, and mixtures thereof; or 0.001 ppm to 50 ppm, relative to the total weight of the composition, of a component (b) selected from 2-propylthietane, 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline, and 4,5-dihydro-2-sec-butylthiazoline; and (c) one or more solvents, particularly selected from water, ethanol, isopropanol, and mixtures thereof. It also relates to an article impregnated with such a composition and to a process for its preparation, and to the use of such a composition or an article impregnated with such a composition for controlling rodents.