Tidal area insect control method

• US 20070144057A1
• Filed: 12/28/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Danny Ariaz, Scott Monsen
• Original Assignee: Danny Ariaz, Scott Monsen
• Inventors: Ariaz, Danny, Monsen, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/132.100
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 7/006 Mounting of the nozzles

Abstract

A target insect in a tidal area is controlled by: choosing a treatment area in a tidal area; selecting an appropriate control agent; determining an appropriate depth below the surface of the treatment area for the delivery of the control agent; determining an appropriate application rate; and delivering the appropriate control agent to at least a portion of the treatment area at the appropriate depth and at the appropriate rate. Treatment may be directed at the larval stage of the target insect with the treatment area between a mean lower low tide demarcation and a mean higher high tide demarcation. The control agent may be delivered through passageways extending along a plurality of downwardly and rearwardly extending agent delivery knives.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a target insect in a tidal area comprising:

(a) choosing a treatment area in a tidal area for a target insect;

(b) selecting an appropriate control agent for the target insect;

(c) determining an appropriate depth below the surface of the treatment area for the delivery of the control agent;

(d) determining an appropriate application rate for the control agent; and

(e) delivering the appropriate control agent to at least a portion of the treatment area at the appropriate depth and at the appropriate rate.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment area choosing step is carried out for the larval stage of the target insect.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the appropriate control agent selecting step comprises selecting a control agent that prevents the larval stage of the target insect from maturing.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment area is found between a mean lower low tide demarcation and a mean higher high tide demarcation.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the control agent selecting step comprises selecting at least one of a liquid control agent and a flowable solid control agent.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the control agent delivering step comprises delivering the control agent into inlets of a plurality of passageways, through the passageways extending along a plurality of downwardly and rearwardly extending agent delivery knives, and out of the passageways through at least one exit opening in the passageways.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the control agent delivering step is carried out using an agent application system comprising:

a vehicle;

an applicator frame assembly coupled to the vehicle, the applicator frame assembly comprising downwardly and rearwardly extending agent delivery knives; and

a control agent delivery system supported by at least one of the vehicle and the applicator frame assembly, the control agent delivery system comprising agent delivery passageways having at least one exit opening along the agent delivery knives through which the control agent passes.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the appropriate depth determining step comprises determining an appropriate depth of about 3.81 cm to 15.24 cm.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the appropriate depth determining step comprises determining an appropriate depth of about 7.6 cm.

10. A method for controlling a sand fly in a tidal area comprising:

(a) choosing a treatment area within a mean tide zone defined by a lower low tide demarcation and a higher high tide to demarcation, the treatment area containing a primary feeding zone for the larval stage of a target insect, the target insect being a sand fly;

(b) selecting a methoprene-containing control agent for control of the target insect;

(c) selecting about 7.6 cm as an appropriate depth below the surface of the treatment area for the delivery of the control agent;

(d) selecting an application rate for the control agent to result in a concentration of methoprene of about 7.4 ppb; and

(e) delivering the control agent to at least a portion of the treatment area at the appropriate depth and at the application rate, the control agent delivering step being carried out using an agent application system comprising;

a vehicle;

an applicator frame assembly coupled to the vehicle, the applicator frame assembly comprising rearwardly swept agent delivery knives; and

a control agent delivery system supported by at least one of the vehicle and the applicator frame assembly, the control agent delivery system comprising agent delivery passageways having at least one exit opening along the agent delivery knives through which the control agent passes.