Substrate for Controlling Flies and Other Insects, Method for Manufacturing Thereof and Use of Said Substrate as Animal Litter

Abstract

A substrate designed to be used as animal litter, for controlling insects, preferably flies, in which the substrate includes an absorbent substrate impregnated with at least one insect growth regulator (IGR) in a preferred determined concentration, and where the substrate is preferably impregnated with a formulation including, in addition to the growth regulator, a film-forming substance, a water insoluble particulate mineral material, an organic solvent, one or more additives and water. A method for obtaining the substrate impregnated with the formulation is also disclosed, as well as using the substrate as animal litter for controlling insects. Use of the waste resulting from the mix of the substrate with manure, after it has been used as animal litter, as organic compost for agricultural soils by subjecting it to a process of stabilization and degradation by means of biosolarisation is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A substrate for controlling insects, comprising an absorbent substrate impregnated with at least one insect growth regulator.

2. The substrate for controlling insects according to claim 1, wherein the insect growth regulator is selected from the group consisting of pyriproxyfen, methoprene, hydropren, diflubenzuron, triflumuron, fenoxycarb, tebufenozide, metoxifenocide, cyromazine, and a combination thereof.

3. The substrate for controlling insects according to claim 2, wherein the insect growth regulator is selected between pyriproxyfen and cyromazine.

4. The substrate for controlling insects according to claim 1, wherein a concentration of the insect growth regulator in the absorbent substrate is comprised between 1 mg/kg and 6000 mg/kg by weight of a weight of the absorbent substrate.

5. The substrate for controlling insects according to claim 1, comprising an absorbent substrate impregnated with a formulation comprising: between 0.005 and 10% of at least one insect growth regulator; between 0% and 5% of at least one film-forming substance; between 0% and 15% of at least one water insoluble particulate mineral material; between 0% and 25% of at least one organic solvent; between 0.01% and 10% of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifier, thickener, pH regulating agent, antifoaming agent, dispersant, preservative, fungicide, and a combination thereof; and a quantity of water sufficient to complete 100% of the weight of the formulation.

6. The substrate for controlling insects according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent substrate is selected from the group consisting of wood shavings, straw, wood pellets, paper, hemp, flax, ground cardboard and a combination thereof.

7. A method for obtaining the substrate for controlling insects described in claim 1, wherein the method comprises: applying on an absorbent substrate a formulation comprising, in percentage by weight of a total weight of the formulation: between 0.005% and 10% of at least one insect growth regulator; between 0% and 5% of at least one film-forming substance; between 0% and 15% of at least one water insoluble particulate mineral material; between 0% and 25% of at least one organic solvent; between 0.01% and 10% of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifier, thickener, pH regulating agent, antifoaming agent, dispersant, preservative, fungicide, and a combination thereof; and a quantity of water sufficient to complete 100% of the weight of the formulation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the formulation is applied by impregnation by means of one of the techniques selected from the group consisting of sprinkling, spraying, fogging and direct contact with a surface impregnated with the composition.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the substrate impregnated with the formulation comprising the insect growth regulator has a humidity above 8%, and the method comprises an additional stage for drying the impregnated absorbent substrate to a maximum humidity value of 12% if this value is any higher after impregnation.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the insect growth regulator is selected between pyriproxyfen and cyromazine, and the amount of formulation applied is between 2% and 10% by weight of the final weight of the absorbent substrate.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the formulation to be applied on the substrate is in concentrated form and comprises the following components in percentage by weight of the total weight of the formulation: between 1% and 50% of at least one insect growth regulator; between 0% and 25% of at least one film-forming substance; between 0% and 50% of at least one water insoluble particulate mineral material; between 0% and 95% of at least one organic solvent; between 0.01% and 10% of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of emulsifier, thickener, pH regulating agent, antifoaming agent, dispersant, preservative, fungicide, and a combination thereof; and the quantity of water sufficient to complete 100% of the weight of the formulation, which may be equal to zero; so that said concentrated formulation is diluted in water before it is applied on the substrate.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the absorbent substrate are wood shavings and the method comprises manufacturing these wood shavings.

13. A method of using a substrate for controlling insects described in claim 1, wherein the method comprises placing the substrate in a place where animals live.

14. A litter for animals made up of the substrate for controlling flies and other insects described in claim 1.

15. A method for preparing an agricultural fertilizer, wherein the method comprises: accumulating a substrate for controlling insects described in claim 1 previously removed from a place where the substrate was deposited as animals litter together with manure formed thereon, in an open air enclosure; and placing a transparent plastic sheet on a mixture of the substrate and manure for degrading thereof, making solar radiation increase a temperature inside, and causing active ingredients to degrade.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0137] FIGS. 1a and 1b: This illustration represents the method of manufacturing the substrate for controlling insects of the present invention, including wood shavings as absorbent substrate, and the method additionally includes manufacturing the wood shavings from logs. This illustration is subdivided in two figures, FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, FIG. 1a showing specifically the part of the method that includes cutting the surface of the wood and then drying the wood shavings as well as the purification process that follows, while FIG. 1b shows how the process continues by impregnating the formulation and then treating and packaging it.

[0138] Therefore in the preferred embodiments of the manufacturing process of the wood shavings impregnated with IGR disclosed in this document, the logs of wood go through a mill (1) in which the surface of the logs is cut or shaved in a controlled way in order to obtain think flakes (shavings) of wood in a controlled process; the wood shavings go through a drying area (2), and then they are subjected to a process of purification by sifting using a cyclone (3) and a sieve (4). The impregnation area (5) is located at the outlet of the sieve (4), and this area includes a tank with the formulation including IGR (6), systems for applying the formulation from the tank of the impregnation system, where said impregnation system can be either an inclined plane by means of a fluidised bed moving the wood shavings by pneumatic action (5a), spraying the formulation including the IGR by means of diffuser nozzles (5b), or rotating and turning the material by means of a cylinder and spraying the formulation including the IGR (5c). In any of the three options, the formulation including the IGR is administered from a tank (6). Afterwards, the wood shavings impregnated with the formulation that includes at least one insect growth regulator are directed towards a packaging area (7) where they are packaged in sacks of the desired size or they are stored in bulk, and distributed by means of trucks (8) or any other transport system.

[0139] FIGS. 2a and 2b: This illustration shows how the substrate for controlling insects as litters for horses is used, and how the substrate with the excrements are collected afterwards for the process of biosolarisation to increase the value of the animal litters. This scheme is subdivided in two figures, FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b. FIG. 2a shows specifically the part of the process that includes the distribution, storage, and inclusion to the stable as animal litters, that is, its usage. Then FIG. 2b shows how this litter, after it has been used, is removed from the stable as waste for the biosolarisation treatment.

[0140] In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the wood shavings impregnated with the IGR are distributed by means of trucks (8) or any other means of transportation to a storage area (9) until they are used. In one of the preferred applications, the wood shavings impregnated with IGR of the present invention are taken to a stable (10) and deposited on a manger (11) as the animal litter for a horse (12). After a certain time, the manger (13) is cleaned, and the waste resulting from the horse excrements and the wood shavings removed from the manger are stored in a warehouse (14). Afterwards, this waste is subjected to a process of biosolarisation (15) in which both the IGR present in the shavings and the microorganisms that may be present in the organic matter are eliminated. Finally, the waste treated is extracted from the biosolarisation warehouse (16) and is used as organic fertilizer in agricultural crops (17).

[0141] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations detailed on table 1, as described in test 1.

[0142] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations of pyriproxyfen detailed on table 3, as described in test 2.

[0143] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations of pyriproxyfen detailed on table 5, as described in test 3.

[0144] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations of pyriproxyfen detailed on table 7, as described in test 4.

[0145] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations of cyromazine detailed on table 9, as described in test 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE

Examples

[0146] Firstly, four tests are described aimed at evaluating quantitatively the effectiveness of different formulations of pine wood shavings impregnated with IGRs on larvae and pupae of house fly (Musca domestica, L.). The first test was useful to prove the effectiveness of the substrate obtained and to select pyriproxyfen as the active ingredient (IGR), while the second, carried out like the first one on excrement of rabbits, was useful to choose a specific type of impregnation formulation to refine the ideal concentration and dose. The results of the second test were confirmed in the third test on horse excrement. The fourth and last test was useful to refine the optimum concentration of pyriproxyfen in the impregnation formulation (0.05% by weight of the total weight of the formulation) and the dose applied (15 mg of pyriproxyfen per kilogram of wood shavings). The results obtained show the effectiveness of the treatment for the products and doses tested, with the pyriproxyfen being the active ingredient displaying the best effectiveness, even at very low doses.

[0147] Secondly, a test is described aimed at evaluating qualitatively the effectiveness of different formulations of pine wood shavings impregnated with cyromazine on larvae and pupae of house fly (Musca domestica, L.).

Materials and Methods

[0148] The absorbent substrate impregnated were wood shavings of the Great Northern pine tree, which are the most commonly used for horse litters.

[0149] For the effectiveness studies, the formulations for impregnating the wood shavings were applied manually by means of a container with a spray gun. Several sprayings were carried out, turning the wood shavings halfway to ensure that they were homogeneously impregnated.

[0150] The organic matter used was rabbit excrement in the first two tests with pyriproxyfen, due to its increased availability and high infestation with fly larvae. For tests 3 and 4 with pyriproxyfen and the test carried out with cyromazine, horse excrement was used since it is the main object on which the product is applied. In both cases, manure with high levels of fly larvae infestation was selected in order to obtain a suitable number of larvae per test.

[0151] In order to carry out the effectiveness tests, a mixture of wood shavings/manure in a proportion of 30/70 was placed on different trays, adding 50 g of wood shavings per 117 g of manure without excessively mixing the materials, which may facilitate the contact between the larvae and the wood shavings treated. The trays were covered with a net in order to prevent any adults from escaping.

[0152] With the aim of reproducing at a small scale the conditions of the wood shavings impregnated with IGR and manure in the facilities were horses are kept, the trays were kept in open air in natural conditions, alternating periods of shade with periods under the sun.

[0153] In the case of the tests of litters with pyriproxyfen, after 5 days of exposure (enough time for the larvae to progress to the pupal stage), the pupae were separated in plastic cups covered with a net, waiting for the adults to emerge. Once the adults emerged, the unviable pupae and the adults that emerged (healthy and malformed) were counted in order to calculate the mortality rate for each case.

[0154] In the case of the test with cyromazine, after the 5 days of exposure the dead pupae and larvae were separated. Once the adults emerged, the dead larvae, the unviable pupae and the adults that emerged (healthy and malformed) were counted in order to calculate the mortality rate for each case.

[0155] All the tests included a control group of untreated wood shavings.

Results

[0156] Test 1. Four different formulations were tested in the conditions described in the following table (Table 1). Four formulations were prepared:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Formulations with pyriproxyfen and diflubenzuron on rabbit manure Dose Load IGR Concentration (weight of the (mg of active (weight in relation formulation in ingredient/ to the total weight Type of relation to the Kg wood No of the formulation) formulation wood shavings) shavings) 1 Diflubenzuron 10% Concentrated 6% 6000 suspension 2 Pyriproxyfen 1% Concentrated 6% 600 suspension 3 Pyriproxyfen 1% + Concentrated 6% + 6% 600 + 600 diflubenzuron 10% suspension 4 Diflubenzuron 100% Technical 0.6% 6000 product sprinkled

[0157] Additionally, a control test without wood shavings (C) and another with untreated wood shavings (1) was made. The results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations detailed on Table 1 obtained in this first test are shown on Table 2 and FIG. 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Results of pupal mortality of M. Domestica with wood shavings with the formulations of Table 1 No Total individuals Adults Unborn pupae % Mortality C (control) 109 101 8 7.3 0 142 136 6 4.2 1 181 34 147 81.2 2 161 2 159 98.8 3 182 1 181 99.5 4 222 93 129 58.1

[0158] The results of this first test were useful to select pyriproxyfen as the insect growth regulator (IGR) active compound of the formulation, since the mortality results for diflubenzuron (formulations 1 and 4) are good but not as good as those of the formulations with pyriproxyfen (formulations 2 and 3).

[0159] It should be highlighted that the only non-liquid formulation (formulation 4) shows the worst mortality results, probably due its lower dispersion and adherence to the substrate (wood shavings).

[0160] Test 2. Formulations with Pyriproxyfen on Rabbit Manure

[0161] The formulations prepared for impregnation were aqueous dispersions and emulsions with different concentrations of pyriproxyfen (Table 3):

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Formulations with pyriproxyfen on rabbit manure Dose (weight of Load IGR Concentration the formulation (mg of active (weight in relation in relation to the ingredient/ to the total weight Type of weight of the Kg wood No of the formulation) formulation wood shavings) shavings) 1 Pyriproxyfen 0.5% Aqueous 6% 300 dispersion 2 Pyriproxyfen 0.1% Aqueous 6% 150 dispersion 3 Pyriproxyfen 1% Aqueous 6% 600 dispersion 4 Pyriproxyfen 0.2% Aqueous 6% 150 dispersion 5 Pyriproxyfen EW Aqueous 6% 300 0.5% emulsion 6 Pyriproxyfen EW Aqueous 6% 150 0.2% emulsion

[0162] As in test 1, a control group with manure and without wood shavings (C) was carried out. The results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations of pyriproxyfen detailed on table 3 on rabbit manure are shown on the following table (Table 4) and FIG. 4.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Results of pupal mortality of M. Domestica with wood shavings with the formulations of pyriproxyfen of Table 2 on rabbit manure No Total individuals Adults Unborn pupae % Mortality C (control) 71 62 9 12.7 1 35 1 34 97.1 2 85 1 84 98.8 3 42 0 42 100 4 132 0 132 100 5 112 0 112 100 6 71 0 71 100

[0163] The results obtained showed the high effectiveness of all the formulations employed for impregnating the wood shavings. The best results (100% mortality) were obtained with the formulations 3, 4, 5 and 6.

[0164] In light of these results, the test was repeated impregnating wood shavings with the formulations in a lower concentration of pyriproxyfen and on horse manure.

[0165] Test 3. Trays with wood shavings impregnated with two formulations with pyriproxyfen (see Table 5 below) were prepared, and horse manure was applied on them.

[0166] Additionally, a tray with untreated wood shavings serving as a control group (C) was prepared.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Formulations with pyriproxyfen on horse manure Pyriproxyfen Dose (weight of Load concentration the formulation (mg of active (weight in relation in relation to the ingredient/ to the total weight Type of weight of the Kg wood No of the formulation) formulation wood shavings) shavings) 1 Pyriproxyfen 0.2% Aqueous 6% 120 emulsion 2 Pyriproxyfen 0.1% Aqueous 6% 60 emulsion

[0167] The results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations of pyriproxyfen on horse manure are shown on the following table (Table 6) and FIG. 5.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Results of pupal mortality of M. Domestica with wood shavings with the formulations of Table 5 No Total individuals Adults Unborn pupae % Mortality C (control) 53 43 10 19 1 93 0 93 100 2 41 0 41 100

[0168] Once again, a 100% mortality rate was obtained for both substrates prepared with the formulations of pyriproxyfen, both at 0.2% as well as at 0.1% (Table 6).

[0169] Test 4: In light of these results, a final test was prepared with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of the substrate impregnated with pyriproxyfen solutions in a lower concentration than the ones tested (0.05% and 0.01%), applying them in several doses (3% and 6%) with the aim of optimising the concentration of IGR and the dose applied.

[0170] In order to do so a substrate impregnated with the formulations detailed on Table 7 was evaluated:

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Formulations with pyriproxyfen on horse manure Pyriproxyfen Dose (weight of Load concentration the formulation (mg of active (weight in relation in relation to the ingredient/ to the total weight Type of weight of the Kg wood No of the formulation) formulation wood shavings) shavings) 1 Pyriproxyfen 0.1% Aqueous 6% 60 emulsion 2 Pyriproxyfen 0.05% Aqueous 6% 30 emulsion 3 Pyriproxyfen 0.01% Aqueous 6% 6 emulsion 4 Pyriproxyfen 0.1% Aqueous 3% 30 emulsion 5 Pyriproxyfen 0.05% Aqueous 3% 15 emulsion 6 Pyriproxyfen 0.2% Aqueous 3% 60 emulsion

[0171] The formulation 5 of test 4 includes quantities expressed as percentages of the total weight of the composition:

[0172] Pyriproxyfen: 0.05%

[0173] Vinyl copolymer: 0.385%

[0174] Additional additives: 1.72% (surfactants 0.02%, solvent 1.6%, preservative 0.1%)

[0175] water: csp. 100%

[0176] The rest of the formulations tested in this study include quantities expressed as percentages of the total weight of the composition:

[0177] IGR: As indicated in any of the tables 1, 3, 5 or 7

[0178] Vinyl copolymer: 0-5%

[0179] Additional additives: 0.5-5%

[0180] water: csp. 100%

[0181] The additional additives are surfactants, solvents (different from water) and preservatives that provide stability to the formulation.

[0182] The results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations of pyriproxyfen described on Table 7, on horse manure, are shown on Table 8 and FIG. 6.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Results of pupal mortality of M. Domestica with wood shavings with the formulations of Table 7 Total Adults Unborn No individuals normal pupae % Mortality 0 39 38 1 2.6 1 71 1 70 98.6 2 79 0 79 100 3 44 2 42 95.5 4 135 4 131 95 5 50 2 48 96 6 47 0 47 100

[0183] The results obtained attest the good effectiveness of pyriproxyfen as a pupicide even in low doses. Even with formulation 3, in which the quantity of pyriproxyfen per Kg of wood shaving is the lowest (6 mg/Kg), it displays very good effectiveness (95.5%).

[0184] Test 5. Four different formulations with cyromazine were tested on horse manure (Table 9):

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 Formulations with cyromazine on horse manure Dose (weight of Load the formulation (mg of active in relation to the ingredient/ Type of weight of the Kg wood No Composition formulation wood shavings) shavings) 1 Cyromazine 1% Aqueous 6% 600 dispersion 2 Cyromazine 0.5% Aqueous 3% 150 dispersion 3 Cyromazine 0.5% Aqueous 6% 300 dispersion 4 Cyromazine 0.1% Aqueous 6% 60 dispersion

[0185] Additionally, a control formulation without wood shavings (C) and another with untreated wood shavings (0) were tested.

[0186] The results of pupal mortality of M. domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations detailed on Table 9 obtained in this test are shown on Table 10 and FIG. 7.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 10 Results of pupal mortality of M. Domestica with wood shavings impregnated with the formulations of Table 9 containing cyromazine on horse manure Total Dead Unborn % No individuals Adults larvae pupae Mortality C (control) 87 80 1 6 8 0 103 92 2 4 5.8 1 79 0 79 0 100 2 128 2 124 2 98.4 3 134 1 130 3 99.3 4 117 35 78 4 70

[0187] The results attested the effectiveness of the wood shavings impregnated with cyromazine and, additionally, they provide the information needed to select the ideal concentration of the impregnating formulation and its recommended dose.

[0188] The wood shavings treated with formulation 1 displayed the highest effectiveness (100% mortality) but formulations 2 and 3 also obtained a very high mortality rate (98.4% and 99.3% respectively), using a quarter and half of the load of formulation 1 respectively. Therefore, their cost/effectiveness ratio is much better.

[0189] The wood shavings impregnated with solution 4 obtained good effectiveness results, but they comparatively did not achieve the high mortality rates of the other formulations, which shows that the active load per kilogram of wood shavings was too low in this case.

[0190] In short, this test was able to attest the effectiveness of the final product when the IGR agent is cyromazine, providing a valid option for controlling house flies in animal litters that is the object of the invention. It also provided the information needed to select the concentration of the solution (0.5% cyromazine) and the dose (150 mg/kg of wood shavings). The formulations with very low concentrations of the active ingredient (cyromazine) and very low doses of the product are enough to exert an adequate control of the immature states of M. domestica in manure.

[0191] Several conclusions can be drawn from the five tests carried out: [0192] The substrate impregnated with IGRs has proven to be a useful tool for controlling flies in manure; [0193] The IGRs used (pyriproxyfen, diflubenzuron and cyromazine) have proved to be effective in low doses, with pyriproxyfen and cyromazine showing the best mortality rates; [0194] Substrates with loads of 15 mg/kg of pyriproxyfen and even 6 mg/kg, or 150 mg/kg of cyromazine showed high effectiveness for controlling pupae of house flies. [0195] Other factors in addition to its effectiveness should be taken into account when choosing a suitable formulation for impregnation.

[0196] While various embodiments of the invention were provided in the foregoing description, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to these embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that this disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.