AGENTS AND DEVICE FOR COMBATING PESTS, IN PARTICULAR RODENTS AND MICE, AND METHOD FOR USING THE AGENTS

Abstract

A product and a device for controlling pests is particularly suited for controlling rodents, such as mice. The product contains, or consists of, one or more active agents from the group of grayanotoxins in an effective amount.

Claims

1-28. (canceled)

29. A product for controlling pests, the product comprising: a composition of one or more active agents from the group of grayanotoxins in an effective amount for controlling pests.

30. The product according to claim 29, further comprising an amount of feed bait and/or attractant for attracting a rodent.

31. The product according to claim 30, wherein the feed bait is or comprises an active agent carrier for enticing the rodent to orally ingest the feed bait and the one or more active agents.

32. The product according to claim 29, wherein the active agent, together with an active agent carrier, is applied to a wipe-off surface in order to transfer the active agent to the skin or the fur of a pest.

33. The product according to claim 30, further comprising a wrapping enclosing the feed bait with the agent and being openable by the rodent.

34. The product according to claim 29, further comprising an anticoagulant combined with the one or more active agents.

35. The product according to claim 29, further comprising an active agent carrier selected from the group consisting of natural oils, waxes, honey, and mixtures, solutions and dispersions thereof.

36. The product according to claim 35, wherein the active agent carrier comprises, in percent by weight: 60% to 85% sugar; 0.2%-0.8% organic acids; 1%-3% enzymes; 0.1%-0.5% minerals; optional additives selected from the group consisting of scents, flavorings, preservatives, colorants; and remainder water to 100%.

37. The product according to claim 29, further comprising natural honey being an active agent carrier containing the grayanotoxin.

38. The product according to claim 37, wherein the grayanotoxin is contained in an amount of approximately 10 mg to 300 mg per kg of the active agent carrier.

39. The product according to claim 29, further comprising a sprayable or foam-producing active agent carrier contained, together with the one or more active agents, in a spray container or a foam-producing container.

40. A pest control method, which comprises exposing the product according to claim 29 to pests such as rodents.

41. A pest control device, comprising the composition of claim 29 contained in a bait box in the form of feed bait and/or on a wipe-off surface of the bait box.

42. The pest control device according to claim 41, wherein the bait box is configured to enable access of the pest into the bait box and to prevent an exit of the pest from the bait box.

43. The pest control device according to claim 41, wherein the feed bait is configured for direct oral ingestion by the pest.

44. The pest control device according to claim 41, wherein the feed bait and/or the wipe-off surface is configured for indirect ingestion of the active agent by the pest, namely, for oral ingestion during preening.

45. The product according to claim 29, sprayed or foamed onto a contact surface or onto a feed bait.

46. A pest control device, comprising: a bait box with a floor, sidewalls, and a lid; and a composition of one or more active agents from the group of grayanotoxins in an effective amount for controlling pests.

47. The device according to claim 46, wherein the device is formed with at least one access opening for access of the pests to be caught.

48. The device according to claim 47, wherein the access opening is constructed with a tilt door arrangement configured to enable access by the pests and to prevent exit of the pests.

49. The device according to claim 46, further comprising a bait container for receiving the composition inside said bait box.

50. The device according to claim 46, wherein a wipe-off surface is formed inside said bait box, said wipe-off surface being configured for causing indirect ingestion of the composition by the pests.

51. The device according to claim 46, wherein an interior of said bait box is protected against entry by insects and small animals other than the pests.

52. The device according to claim 52, wherein said bait box is formed with air holes, and said air holes are covered by a fine-mesh grating or fabric in order to prevent insects and small animals from gaining access into said bait box.

53. The device according to claim 46, wherein said bait box is constructed with a water-tight floor.

54. The device according to claim 53, wherein said bait box is formed with the air holes arranged above the floor at a height sufficient to prevent water access.

55. The device according to claim 46, comprising bait grains, bait pellets or bait paste disposed in said bait box and having the active agent with or without additional active agent carrier applied thereon.

Description

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a view of a bait box obliquely from the front.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows an internal view of the tilt door of the bait box.

[0049] The bait box 1 is box-shaped with a floor 2, sidewalls 3, 4 and a lid 5, which is removable or pivotal, in order to allow access to the inside space.

[0050] The access hole 6 allows the animal access to the interior of the bait box. The air holes 7 allow the air to enter and are preferably covered by a close-meshed grating or fabric in order to prevent insects or small animals from gaining access.

[0051] The mesh size chosen for the grating or fabric must therefore be appropriately small.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a tilt door arrangement 8 inside the bait box, in a position rotated by 90.

[0053] The tilt door 9 functions like a trap door, which opens when the animal climbs up it and folds up again when the animal leaves the trap door in order to get to the bait inside the bait box 1.

[0054] In order to ingest the bait in the form of the active agent pack a bait container is preferably provided inside the bait box, into which the bait is placed and in which it can be exchanged. The air holes 7 of the bait box 1 are preferably arranged at a height above the floor 2 which is sufficient to prevent entry of water in case of rain. Practice has shown that a minimum distance of approx. 2 cm or higher is advantageous. The bait container in the bait box 1 may for this purpose also be arranged at a certain distance from the floor 2 so that the bait is kept away from water just in case a small amount of water gains entry.

[0055] It is thus ensured that the bait remains functional even in case of water penetration or that, in the worst case, the active agent does not get into the open. Easy maintenance of the bait box 1 is ensured.

[0056] The means with the active agent carrier such as honey may, for better handling, be filled into the above mentioned little bags as active agent pack and inserted closed into the bait box 1 or the bait container thereof.

[0057] The rodents open the bags and thus come into contact with the substance. The active agent pack may be opened by the operator. The substance may be in liquid form or be applied to a carrier substance.