METHOD OF PROTECTING BUILDINGS FROM TERMITE ATTACK

• US 20120222346A1
• Filed: 03/15/2012
• Published: 09/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prestige Film Technologies
• Original Assignee: Prestige Film Technologies
• Inventors: NICHOLS, PAUL IAN
• Granted Patent: US 9,226,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/125
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/026 combined with devices for monitoring insect presence, e.g. termites bait stations A01M1/2005; detecting other animals in a given area A01M31/002
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/24 Arrangements connected with buildings, doors, windows, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/245 for pesticide application or distribution, e.g. using a network of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 13/00 Fumigators; Apparatus for distributing gases poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide A01M1/2022
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 13/003 Enclosures for fumigation, e.g. containers, bags or housings
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 17/00 Apparatus for the destruction of vermin in soil or in foodstuffs injecting fertilisers into the roots of trees A01G29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 17/002 Injection of toxic gases or fluids into the soil special arrangements for delivering fertilising liquids directly into the soil A01C23/02
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/72 Pest control by keeping dry E04B1/70; impregnation of wood or like materials B27K
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2011/0004 to create overpressure in a room
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/40 by ozonisation for sterilisation F24F8/26

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ozone is delivered at a rate such as to create a superatmospheric pressure field in the said protected ground region below the building.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the ozone concentration is varied below the safe level thereof whereby to avoid habituation of said termites to its presence.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the termite residence time during which the termites remain in the building after the commencement of ozone delivery and before they vacate the building, is determined in advance by tests on said building or a comparable building.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the termite residence time during which the termites remain in the building after the commencement of ozone delivery and before they vacate the building, is determined in advance by tests in a controlled environment.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the termite vacation interval during which termites remain away from the building before returning thereto is determined in advance by tests on said building or a comparable building.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the termite vacation interval during which termites remain away from the building before returning thereto is determined in advance by tests on a controlled environment.

8. A method of protecting a building from damage by termites, comprising the steps of:

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.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the steps of determining the vacation interval, being the elapsed time between departure of the termites and the return thereof, and the residence time, being the time between the commencement of ozone delivery and departure of the termites, are repeated for several iterations to determine on average value for the said vacation interval and the said residence time whereby to determine the points in time for commencement and cessation of ozone delivery to the said protected region.