METHOD OF PROTECTING BUILDINGS FROM TERMITE ATTACK
First Claim
1. A method of protecting a building from damage, by termites, comprising the steps of:
- detecting the presence of termites within the building or the close vicinity thereof,infusing a protected region of the ground below the building with ozone by delivering ozone into the said protected region at a determined concentration which is both less than that at which its presence would cause detrimental effects on humans occupying the building, and sufficient to cause the termites to vacate the protected region,discontinuing the delivery of ozone upon departure of the termites, thereafter maintaining the ozone delivery turned off and allowing termites to return to the protected region,recommencing the delivery of ozone at the said determined concentration after the termites have returned to the protected region, and continuing delivery until the termites again vacate the said protected region,repeating the said monitoring and delivering steps for as long as the termites return into the said protected region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for protecting the lower regions of and structure of a building from damage or degradation by termites. The method comprising for the steps of creating a region in the ground below the building having properties hostile to termites whereby to discourage them from approaching the vicinity of the building. In one embodiment means for creating a hostile region in the ground below the building are provided by a pump which creates a superatmospheric pressure field in this region. In another embodiment, treatment agents such as ozone may be delivered to the ground region in order to provide a hostile effect to the termites by affecting their pheromone chemistry and/or their reproductive or communicative behavior. A secondary function of the present invention relates to the creation of a forced ventilation of the habitable region within which the apparatus of the present invention resides.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of protecting a building from damage, by termites, comprising the steps of:
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detecting the presence of termites within the building or the close vicinity thereof, infusing a protected region of the ground below the building with ozone by delivering ozone into the said protected region at a determined concentration which is both less than that at which its presence would cause detrimental effects on humans occupying the building, and sufficient to cause the termites to vacate the protected region, discontinuing the delivery of ozone upon departure of the termites, thereafter maintaining the ozone delivery turned off and allowing termites to return to the protected region, recommencing the delivery of ozone at the said determined concentration after the termites have returned to the protected region, and continuing delivery until the termites again vacate the said protected region, repeating the said monitoring and delivering steps for as long as the termites return into the said protected region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of protecting a building from damage by termites, comprising the steps of:
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detecting the presence of termites within the building or within close proximity thereof, infusing a protected region of ground below the building with ozone by delivering ozone into said protected region at a determined concentration which is less than that at which its presence would cause harmful effects on humans occupying the building and sufficient to cause the termites to vacate the protected region, detecting the absence of termites in said protected region, discontinuing the delivery of ozone to said protected region, monitoring the protected region to detect the return of termites thereto, and determining the time elapsed since delivery of ozone was discontinued, recommencing delivery of ozone at the said determined concentration until the termites again vacate the said protected region, and repeating the periodic delivery of ozone at intervals and for time periods determined by the said detection of the presence and absence of the termites. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification