Method and apparatus for exterminating ant colonies utilizing carbon dioxide

• US 6,604,318 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2002
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger Ray Cassidy
• Original Assignee: Roger Ray Cassidy
• Inventors: Cassidy, Roger Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOFDAHL, JORDAN M
• Application Number:
  US10/075,662
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 431/321, 431/24, 431/25
• US Class Current: 43/132.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/245 for pesticide application or distribution, e.g. using a network of pipes
• 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: A01M 2200/011 Crawling insects

Abstract

A process for exterminating ants includes covering an ant mound with a dome configured to fit over the ant mound and having a lower lip for contacting the ground entirely around the ant mound. A carbon dioxide delivery system mounted to a top of the dome injects carbon dioxide into the dome and the ant mound to exterminate the ants. The carbon dioxide delivery system typically includes a pipe configured to hold the puncturable carbon dioxide container, and a hollow needle extending from the pipe and into the dome for injecting the carbon dioxide therein.

Claims

1. A process for exterminating ants, comprising the steps of:

covering an ant mound with a dome; and

injecting carbon dioxide into the dome using a mounted a carbon dioxide delivery system on the top of the dome such that carbon dioxide is capable of being delivered into the dome and the ant mound;

wherein the carbon dioxide delivery system comprises a pipe configured to hold a puncturable carbon dioxide container, and a hollow needle extending from the pipe, and wherein the mounting step comprises threading the needle into an aperture of the dome.

2. The process of claim 1, including the step of controlling the flow of carbon dioxide from the system using a flow control associated with the hollow needle.

3. An apparatus for exterminating ants, comprising:

a dome comprised of a clear plastic material configured to fit over an ant mound, the dome having a lower lip for contacting the ground entirely around the ant mound; and

a carbon dioxide delivery system which includes a pipe configured to hold a source of carbon dioxide, and a hollow needle extending from the pipe and inserted through an aperture of the dome mounted to a top of the dome such that carbon dioxide is capable of being delivered into the dome and the ant mound; and

wherein the source of carbon dioxide comprises a carbon dioxide canister having a puncturable membrane, and wherein the pipe includes a sharpened point extending upwardly into a cavity thereof to puncture the carbon dioxide canister membrane.

4. An apparatus for exterminating ants, comprising:

a dome configured to fit over an ant mound, the dome having a lower lip for contacting the ground entirely around the ant mound; and

a carbon dioxide delivery system mounted to a top of the dome such that carbon dioxide is capable of being delivered into the dome and the ant mound, the carbon dioxide delivery system comprising;

a hollow pipe having a sharpened point extending upwardly in a cavity thereof;

a carbon dioxide canister having a puncturable membrane disposed within the pipe such that the membrane is punctured by the sharpened point;

a hollow needle extending from the pipe and threadedly inserted through an aperture of the dome;

a cap threadedly received onto an end of the pipe generally opposite the needle; and

a flow control valve associated with the needle for altering the flow of carbon dioxide through the needle and into the dome.