Rodent Bait Composition Using Composite Semiochemicals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rodent baits, such as those using dry-rendered lard and cracklings or commercial attractants like Provoke, are not equally effective across both sexes and species of mice and rats, and may not perform optimally in operational settings, necessitating a more universal and effective attracting and stimulating feeding method.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising cereal flour, cereal bran, a gelling agent, sugar, oil, emulsifier, humectant, and volatile attractive chemicals like dimethyltrisulfide, which is heat-treated and potentially combined with a rodenticide, to create a bait that attracts and stimulates feeding in mice and rats, including various species of rats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dry-rendered lard and cracklings are used as bait, then feeding stimulation is improved, but effectiveness across different sexes and species is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding stimulation effectivenessVSAvoideffectiveness across sexes and species
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple semiochemicals (2-hydroxy-3-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one, butyric acid, 2,3-butadione, 3-methylbutanal, 5-methyl-(E)-2-hepten-4-one, and γ-octalactone) with dry-rendered lard and cracklings to create a composite bait formulation. This composite approach integrates the feeding stimulation properties of lard with the attractive properties of multiple semiochemicals, achieving both reliable feeding stimulation and broad effectiveness across different rodent sexes and species.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The bait composition is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides feeding stimulation through lard and cracklings, while the blend of six semiochemicals provides broad-spectrum attraction across different rodent species and sexes. The composition acts as a universal attractant that can effectively capture both mice and rats of either sex, making the bait system universally applicable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If commercial attractants like Provoke are used, then attraction is achieved, but feeding stimulation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattraction effectivenessVSAvoidfeeding stimulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two distinct functional components: the attraction function provided by semiochemicals and the feeding stimulation function provided by lard and cracklings. By combining these elements in a single bait formulation, the system achieves both effective attraction and robust feeding stimulation, overcoming the limitation of commercial attractants that may attract but not adequately stimulate feeding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a blend of six semiochemicals is used, then attraction across species is improved, but feeding stimulation alone is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattraction across speciesVSAvoidfeeding stimulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite bait that integrates the species-wide attraction properties of the six-semiochemical blend with the feeding stimulation properties of dry-rendered lard and cracklings. This composite formulation ensures that the bait not only attracts a broad range of rodent species but also reliably stimulates feeding behavior, addressing the insufficiency of semiochemicals alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2999344B1Methods for attracting and stimulating feeding by mice and rats
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 SCOTTS CANADA LTD
  • EP2999344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2999344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2999344B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention describes novel food bait compositions that can be used alone or in combination with blends of attractive compounds to induce attraction and feeding by mice and rats. Said compositions and blends can be used to induce mice and rats to be captured in traps or to approach and remain in a location where they will be exposed to a rodenticide.