Tea Leaf Ant Bait Composition for Low-Poisoning Pest Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ant control methods, particularly pesticides, pose risks of prolonged action duration and potential poisoning, and there is a need for safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Innovation Solution

An ant bait material using tea leaf extract as an active ingredient and its extraction method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional pesticides are used for ant control, then ant population can be suppressed, but the action duration is prolonged and poisoning risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveant control effectivenessVSAvoidpoisoning risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing conventional synthetic pesticides with natural ingredients (tea leaf extract, essential oils, fermented food extracts). This parameter change maintains ant control effectiveness while reducing poisoning risk and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses natural, biodegradable ingredients that break down quickly in the environment, replacing persistent chemical pesticides. The bait material is designed to be short-acting and non-persistent, reducing long-term poisoning risks while maintaining effective ant control during the treatment period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If conventional pesticides are used for ant control, then ant population can be suppressed, but environmental pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveant control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs natural ingredients that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, replacing persistent chemical pesticides. The tea leaf extract, essential oils, and fermented food extracts break down naturally, eliminating environmental pollution while maintaining ant control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts potentially harmful conventional pesticides into beneficial natural substances. By using tea leaf extract and other natural ingredients, the solution transforms the harmful chemical pollution problem into an environmentally beneficial approach that maintains pest control while protecting the ecosystem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If tea leaf extract is used as active ingredient, then environmental safety is improved and action duration is shortened, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidextraction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the extraction process into distinct stages: mixing tea leaves with solvent, heating under airtight conditions, filtering, and concentrating. This segmentation makes the complex extraction process more manageable and systematic, reducing the practical complexity despite using natural ingredients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical extraction methods with a simplified thermal extraction process using heating and airtight containment. This substitution reduces equipment complexity while effectively extracting active ingredients from tea leaves for use in the bait material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 ant bait material effectively kills ants with a shorter action duration and is safer for the environment, utilizing tea leaf extract as an active ingredient, which is derived from natural tea leaves and is less harmful to humans and pets.

Implementation Method 1

heating the first mixture solution by atmospheric distillation to obtain a concentrated liquid extract

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 2

heating the second mixture solution at low temperature until complete evaporation of a solvent in the second mixture solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

purifying the mixture by atmospheric sublimation to obtain a tea leaf extract

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Data Source

PatentUS20250366481A1Ant bait material and extraction method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 NATIONAL CHANGHUA UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

AI summary

An ant bait material includes 0.1 wt % to 0.3 wt % of a tea leaf extract, 7.5 wt % to 13.5 wt % of an attractant, and 86.2 wt % to 92.4 wt % of water. The present invention uses the tea leaf extract as an active ingredient in the ant bait, which is more environmentally and human and animal-friendly due to its natural composition. Also, the ant bait exhibits a shorter time of action.