Dispersal composition
Inventors
Assignees
Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute • US Department of Navy
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Publication Number
US-10645924-B2
Publication Date
2020-05-12
Expiration Date
2037-04-18
Abstract
The invention relates to compositions comprising one or more insecticides and further comprising a carrier composition comprising one or more glycols, and methods of controlling an insect population comprising applying said compositions to the insect habitat using a thermal fogger.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to aqueous compositions comprising one or more insecticides and a carrier composition composed of one or more glycols. These compositions can be effectively dispersed using conventional thermal foggers, producing droplets in the size range of about 5-10 microns or less. The carrier composition may comprise from about 25% to 100% glycols, with particular embodiments including about 30% water and about 70% glycols, such as dipropylene glycol and triethylene glycol. The insecticides used may be larvicides and/or adulticides, with specific focus on Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (BTI) as a larvicide.
The problem addressed by this invention is the difficulty in effectively dispersing aqueous pesticide formulations, such as BTI, using existing application technologies. Conventional mist sprayers and thermal foggers typically create large droplets (>70 microns), which fall quickly and have limited dispersal range (less than 50 feet), making it challenging to reach small, cryptic mosquito larval habitats in the field such as tree holes, gutters, and indoor habitats. Additionally, oil-based carriers used in conventional foggers are not suitable for larvicides like BTI and have drawbacks including toxicity to plants and man-made surfaces.
The invention provides improved aqueous insecticidal formulations with glycol-based carrier compositions that generate small droplets with low terminal falling velocity (approximately 1 centimeter per second or less) when sprayed with thermal foggers. This enables the formation of a fog-like mist that resists falling for over 120 seconds and can penetrate cryptic habitats more effectively. The increased number of small droplets enhances the probability of reaching larvae while potentially reducing the quantity of active ingredients needed for effective pest control.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains five independent claims covering novel insecticide compositions and methods for their dispersal to control insect populations, especially using thermal foggers.
Composition with specified glycol-water carrier
A composition comprising one or more insecticides and a carrier formulation of about 30% water, about 35% dipropylene glycol, and about 35% triethylene glycol, capable of being dispersed using fogging equipment.
Composition with precise proportions of glycols and BTI
Compositions comprising approximately 30% water, about 34.5% propylene glycol, about 34.5% dipropylene glycol, with 1% or 3% Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (BTI), dispersible by fogging equipment.
Method of controlling insects by applying compositions to habitats
A method of insect population control comprising applying the composition described in the patent to the insect habitat.
Use of thermal foggers producing small droplets
Applying the composition using thermal foggers that produce droplets less than about 5 microns or between about 5-10 microns in size with a terminal falling velocity of approximately 1 centimeter per second or less, creating a fog that resists ground fall for over 120 seconds.
Targeting specific insect types including disease vectors and crop pests
The method targets insects that exist in larval form, especially Diptera such as mosquito species which are disease vectors for diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and encephalitis, as well as insects producing unwanted crop damage including Lepidoptera.
The independent claims cover novel aqueous insecticide formulations with glycol-based carriers designed to be dispersed as small droplets by thermal foggers, and methods for their application targeting both larval and adult insect populations including disease vectors and crop pests.
Stated Advantages
Improved dispersal of aqueous insecticide formulations producing small droplets that remain airborne longer, allowing better penetration into cryptic insect habitats.
Use of glycol carriers that are nontoxic, water soluble, nonflammable, and suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.
Potential to reduce the amount of active insecticidal ingredient required due to enhanced dispersal efficiency.
Avoidance of damage associated with oil-based carriers, such as toxicity to plants and damage to man-made surfaces.
Increased effective spraying distance up to 10-15 times greater than aqueous formulations without glycols.
Documented Applications
Controlling mosquito larvae in cryptic urban tropical environments where manual application is difficult, including habitats such as tree holes, gutters, leaf axils, and indoor mosquito breeding sites.
Application against Diptera insects that are disease vectors, targeting diseases including dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and encephalitis.
Control of insects causing unwanted crop damage, including insects of order Lepidoptera.
Use of thermal foggers for dispersal of larvicides and adulticides in both indoor and outdoor environments.
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