Method and apparatus for killing insects

• US 7,703,236 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Darrell Allen Palm
• Original Assignee: Darrell Allen Palm
• Inventors: Palm, Darrell Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Ark; Darren W
• Application Number:
  US11/823,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20080010897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 431/38, 431/321, 431/24, 431/31, 439/00, 56/168
• US Class Current: 43/138
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 43/14 with dispensing apparatus, e.g. for fertilisers, herbicides or preservatives
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2016 for flying insects
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 5/04 Wheeled machines, with means for stripping-off or brushing-off insects
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 43/90 Liquid insecticide sprayer

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for killing insects on vegetation using an insecticide, where the insecticide does not contact the vegetation. In one embodiment, an absorbent material is placed on an upper surface of a disc mower. The absorbent material is soaked with insecticide, and as a tractor moves the mower through a field of hay, insects land on the insecticide-laden material and die from the toxic effect of the insecticide. In another embodiment, an L-shaped blade outfitted with an insecticide-laden mat is mounted transverse to the front of an all-terrain vehicle or a tractor, which is driven through a field. The blade, or alternatively a feeder bar attached to the blade, brushes the tips of vegetation in the field, causing bugs and insects to fly, fall or jump from the vegetation onto the insecticide-laden mat, where the insecticide kills some, most or all of the bugs and insects.

Claims

1. A method for killing insects, comprising:

a) adapting a mower for use in killing insects, wherein the mower has a frame and one or more blades mounted in or to the frame, the frame having a top surface, wherein the one or more blades move with respect to the frame for providing a cutting action when the mower is in operation, comprising the steps of;

i) attaching a layer of absorbent material to the top surface of the frame of the mower such that the layer of absorbent material is positioned above the one or more blades; and

ii) soaking, saturating, filling or coating the layer of absorbent material with an insecticide such that the insecticide is exposed to ambient air on the layer of absorbent material;

b) mowing or cutting hay, grass or other vegetation with the mower; and

c) exposing insects to the insecticide due to the insects flying, falling or jumping onto the layer of absorbent material.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the insecticide does not contact the hay, grass or other vegetation for the purpose of killing the insects.