AU2005229648B2

AU2005229648B2 - Subterranean termitacide dispenser

Info

Publication number: AU2005229648B2
Application number: AU2005229648A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anthony Anderson
Original assignee: RAYDIATE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: RAYDIATE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-01
Filing date: 2005-11-01
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-01
Also published as: AU2005229648A1

Description

1 SUBTERRANEAN TERMITACIDE DISPENSER Field of Invention This invention relates to insecticide dispensing apparatus, in particular but not 5 limited to a ready to use subterranean termitacide dispenser that is buried at or below the surface of the soil. Background Art Prior art termite traps and termitacide dispensers are well known. A good 10 example of such devices is disclosed in WO 01/26456 Al (University of Florida) entitled Non-edible foraging matrix insert for subterranean termite control. Briefly, this device involves a termite control system kit comprising a tube, typically a 2 to 4 inch PVC tube having a removable cap at one end. The tube is filled with a termite food source such as rolled cardboard and is then placed 15 partially into the ground with its open end adjacent to foraging termite populations wherein live termites can enter the open end of the tube to reach the food source. Once termites are inside the tube, the cap is removed from the tube and non-edible foraging matrixes such as a disc of loose soil and or sand is treated with a slow acting and non-repellant toxicant and is place between 20 the food source in the chamber and the termite entrance/exit or open end of the chamber. Slow acting and non-repellant toxicants include non-immediate lethal doses of fipronil, chlorfonapyr, imidacloprid and chloryrifos. The termites then pass through and disperse the slow acting and non-repellant toxicant on soil particles or other non-edible foraging matrixes through their tunnels and living 25 space in order to kill termites. Termites that contact tunnels and living space contaminated with the treated non-edible foraging matrix particles die over time. A disadvantage of this system which is inherent in a majority of such systems is that the tube or chamber is often partially above the ground level and can be a 30 hazard to young children and an obstacle for adults to trip over. In addition the 2 prior art device also requires its placement to be adjacent to foraging termite populations and any disturbance of the termites nest can often drive the termites away form the site of the trap or insecticide dispenser. Furthermore, in this particular dispenser the termites can only access a part of the dispenser by 5 entering the open end at the bottom of the tube. The edible matrix being cardboard is placed above a non-edible substrate which has then to be treated with the toxicant or termitacide as an additional step. Any additional steps in deploying the system is a disadvantage as it can further disturb and drive the termites away from the dispenser. 10 Object of Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to ameliorate or eliminate some of the disadvantages of the prior art or to at least to provide the public with a useful alternative choice. 15 Summary of the Invention According to one aspect, the invention resides in a subterranean ready to use termitacide dispenser including in combination, a housing closed at both ends, the housing having a perforated wall and housing substantially in the center of 20 the housing, a termite edible substance to attract termites, the edible substance surrounded by a non-edible material impregnated with termitacide, wherein in use, the dispenser is buried wherein the top of the dispenser is flush with or slightly below soil level and termites attracted by the edible substance pass through the perforations of the housing and through the non-edible material to 25 reach the edible substance, and wherein the termites leaving the dispenser 3 transporting the termitacide outside the dispenser, and from termite to termite contact back to the rest of the colony. Preferably the edible substance is a piece of dowel, soft wood or cardboard 5 attractive to termites. Preferably the non edible matter is enclosed with a layer of edible cardboard or paper which prevents the non-edible matter from leaking or protruding through the perforations. 10 Preferably the non edible matter is sand, soil or a geotextile matrix impregnated with the termitacide. Suitably the termitacide is fipronil, chlorfonapyr, imidacloprid, boron or 15 chloryrifos. Preferably the housing is comprised of a tube with spaced perforations in the wall of the tube extending from the top to the bottom of the tube to allow easy access of the termites to the interior of the dispenser. 20 Preferably the housing is made of a inert material such as PVC plastic or equivalent.

4 Preferably the cap at the top of the tube is of a child resistant design and is UV stabilized. Preferably the housing is sealed at both ends by end caps. 5 In a preferred variant, the dispenser can be prepared as a ready to use product inclusive of the termitacide and sealed in air tight packaging for distribution or sale wherein the dispenser can be immediately deployed by burying in the ground without having to add the termitacide as an additional step. Once 10 installed the dispenser can start eliminating foraging termites immediately. Brief Description of Drawings In order that the invention be better understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein: 15 Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the termitacide dispenser according to the invention, and Figure 2 and Figure 3 show respectively, a round and square cross section of 20 the dispensers of Figure 1.

5 Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring now to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, there is shown a preferred subterranean termitacide dispenser 10 according to the invention. The dispenser comprises a housing 12 preferably of PVC tubing having spaced 5 apertures 14,16,18 or perforations cut into the wall of the tube. The size of the perforations are suitable for termites to freely enter and leave the dispenser. The dispenser is sealed with a child-proof cap 20 and is buried at or slightly below soil level 21. Also shown is the centrally located wooden dowel 22 of pine or equivalent soft wood species attractive as a food to the termites. The 10 edible wood core is surrounded by non-edible material 24, preferably sand or soil or a geotextile material which is impregnated with the termitacide. Preferred termitacides being fipronil, chlorfonapyr, imidacloprid, boron and chloryrifos. The non-edible material 24 is preferably encased with a layer of edible cardboard or paper 26 to prevent the non-edible material 24 from spilling out of 15 or protruding from the perforations. As the termites are attracted to the central core 22 of soft wood or cardboard, the termites enter the dispenser through the apertures 14, 16, 18 and initially eat through the edible cardboard or paper outer casing 26 before passing 20 through the non-edible material 24 impregnated with the termitacide. When leaving the core of the dispenser, the termites become coated a second time with termitacide which they transport outside the dispenser and is passed by contact from termite to termite back to the rest of the colony.

6 Figures 2 and 3 show cross sections of the termite dispenser according to Figure 1. Figure 2 shows a dispenser 30 having a circular cross section whereas Figure 3 shows a cross section of a square dispenser 40. 5 As shown the non-edible material 24 of sand or geotextile surrounds the edible wooden core 22. The non-edible material is encased with a layer, 26 preferably of cardboard to prevent the non edible material spilling from or protruding through the perforations in the wall of the dispenser 30, 40. 10 In a preferred version, the dispenser is in a ready to use mode wherein the end caps are sealed after the addition of the termitacide to the non edible material. The ready to use dispenser is preferably packaged in a hermetically sealed plastic bag or container on leaving the factory with instructions to deploy the 15 dispenser by burying it at soil level or slightly beneath soil level in places suspected of harboring a termite colony. 20

Claims

1. A ready to use subterranean termitacide dispenser including in combination, a housing closed at both ends, the housing having a 5 perforated wall and housing substantially in the center of the housing, a termite edible substance to attract termites, the edible substance surrounded by a non-edible material impregnated with termitacide, wherein in use, the dispenser is buried substantially at or slightly below soil level and termites attracted by the edible substance enter the 10 perforations of the housing and pass through the non-edible material to reach the edible substance, and wherein the termites on leaving the dispenser transport the termitacide outside the dispenser, and through termite to termite contact to the rest of the colony. 15

2. A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edible substance is a piece of dowel, soft wood or cardboard attractive to termites.

3. A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 20 wherein, the non edible matter is encased with a layer of edible cardboard or paper which prevents the non-edible material from spilling out of or protruding through the perforations. 8

4. A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in any of the above claims wherein, the non-edible matter is sand, soil or a geotextile matrix impregnated with the termitacide.

5 5. A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in any of the above claims wherein, the termitacide is fipronil, chlorfonapyr, imidacloprid, boron or chloryrifos.

6. A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in any of the above 10 claims wherein, the housing is comprised of a tube with spaced perforations in the wall of the tube extending from the top to the bottom of the tube to allow for access of the termites to the interior of the dispenser.

7. A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in any of the above 15 claims wherein, the housing is made of a inert material such as PVC plastic or equivalent.

8. A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in any of the above claims wherein, the cap at the top of the tube is of a child resistant design 20 and is UV stabilized.

9. A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in any of the above claims wherein, the housing is sealed at both ends by end caps. 9

10.A subterranean termitacide dispenser as claimed in any of the above claims wherein, the dispenser can be prepared as a ready to use product inclusive of the termitacide and sealed in air tight packaging for 5 distribution or sale and wherein the dispenser can be immediately deployed in the ground without having to add the termitacide as a additional step.

11.A subterranean termitacide dispenser substantially as herein described 10 with reference to the accompanying drawings.