Methods to deliver and maintain volatile compounds

• US 9,185,897 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2014
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auburn University
• Original Assignee: Auburn University
• Inventors: Boyd, Maurice M., Neuman, Ronald D., Shelton, Andrew B., Cauthen, Wiley M., Zee, Ralph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSANG, LISA L
• Application Number:
  US14/195,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20140173971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 431/321, 431/24, 431/25, 431/26, 431/29, 439/00
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2044 Holders or dispensers for liquid insecticide, e.g. using wicks
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2055 Holders or dispensers for solid, gelified or impregnated insecticide, e.g. volatile blocks or impregnated pads
• 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 29/12 using odoriferous substances, e.g. aromas, pheromones or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/00 Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators, characterised by their forms, or by their non-active ingredients or by their methods of application , e.g. seed treatment or sequential application; Substances for reducing the noxious effect of the active ingredients to organisms other than pests
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/34 Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/04 Devices for anaesthetising animals by gases or vapours; Inhaling devices

Abstract

Methods to create and maintain pre-designed geometrically shaped volumes of an effective dynamic mixture of volatile compounds encompassing an object of protection for very long times, up to one or more years, for control of pests and pest-borne diseases in open outdoor environments of importance to humans, animals and plants. The methods include using a plurality of passive flow control nozzles containing mass-regulating barriers with retaining fixtures, strategically positioned and uniquely oriented, connected to volatile compound-storing structures with replenishing connectors, for delivering controlled release of volatile compounds using individual passive flow control nozzles that dispense volatile compounds at continuous, predetermined, substantially constant and sustainable release rates over extended periods of time, appurtenances to protect the mass-regulating barriers while in operation, and sensors to monitor the biologically active threshold and the concentrations of volatile compound within the pre-designed geometrically shaped volumes of volatile compounds.

Claims

1. A method for multiple specific applications to create and maintain pre-designed geometrically shaped volumes of an effective dynamic mixture of volatile compounds in a vapor state for very long times, up to one or more years, to control harmful pests impacting beneficial plants, domestic animals and humans, an object of protection, in open outdoor environments, the method comprising the steps of:

analyzing requirements of a selected specific application of the multiple specific applications, the requirements including pest species, site environment, site topography and the object of protection;

designing a vapor delivery system to accomplish a desired protection for the selected specific application;

selecting system components and applicable volatile compounds to accomplish the desired protection for the selected specific application;

fabricating passive flow control nozzles capable of delivering specified release rates of the volatile compounds in the vapor state for the selected specific application;

assembling volatile compound-storing structures with replenishing connectors attached to the passive flow control nozzles, the volatile compound-storing structures configured for containing a volatile compound in a liquid state therein;

positioning a plurality of the passive flow control nozzles with the specified release rates in predetermined strategic locations and unique orientations to create and maintain the pre-designed geometrically shaped volumes of volatile compounds encompassing the object of protection;

constructing on site the vapor delivery system as designed;

filling the volatile compound-storing structures with the volatile compound in the liquid state, the volatile compound-storing structures connected to the passive flow control nozzles, the passive flow control nozzles preventing the volatile compound from passing therethrough in the liquid state but permitting emission of the volatile compound in a vapor state out of the compound-storing structure and into the pre-designed geometrically shaped vapor volume;

installing a system component to protect a mass-regulating barrier from external contamination during operation;

initiating start up of the vapor delivery system for operation, and delivering the volatile compounds in the vapor state from the passive flow control nozzles at the specified release rates for the selected specific application;

monitoring that concentrations of volatile compounds in the vapor state are adequate within the pre-designed geometrically shaped volumes encompassing the object of protection;

monitoring that biologically effective thresholds are achieved within the pre-designed geometrically shaped volumes of volatile compounds in the vapor state encompassing the object of protection;

adjusting the vapor delivery system to obtain optimum performance throughout a planned protection period; and

inspecting, refilling, cleaning, repairing and maintaining the vapor delivery system as needed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein release of volatile compounds in the vapor state is into an open local environment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein release of volatile compounds in the vapor state is into an open field environment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise pest repellents.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise naturally-occurring pest repellents.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise pest attractants.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise naturally-occurring pest attractants.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise attractants for attracting beneficial insects for biological control.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise naturally-occurring attractants for attracting beneficial insects for biological control.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise pesticides.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise naturally-occurring pesticides.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise pheromones.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise constituents that provide enhanced plant immune responses.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise constituents that provide mating disruption of pests.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds comprise constituents that provide interference with sexual reproduction of pests.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds in the vapor state are effective in protecting plants.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds in the vapor state are effective in repelling or killing mosquitoes, flies, ticks, midges and other pests.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds in the vapor state are effective in integrated pest management programs.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds in the vapor state are effective for protection of plants and foodstuffs in storage.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds in the vapor state are effective for protection of plants and foodstuffs in transit.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds in the vapor state are effective for enhanced biological control such as push-pull strategies that use both repellents and attractants.