Repellent and attractant composition for dichromatic animals
Inventors
Werner, Scott J. • Ballinger, Jr., Kenneth E.
Assignees
Arkion Life Sciences LLC • US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-11252953-B2
Publication Date
2022-02-22
Expiration Date
2037-01-04
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Abstract
The combination of a repellent agent or an attractant agent with a wavelength-specific visual cue agent has been found to produce an unexpected and synergistic effect of increased repellency or attraction in dichromatic animals who are not maximally sensitive to the wavelength of the repellent or attractant agent. The method of the invention may be used to repel dichromatic-animal pests; or to prevent or minimize monetary damage, particularly to agricultural products, natural resources or private property. The method of the invention may also be used to attract dichromatic animals for the purpose of agricultural production, recreational opportunities (e.g., wild-rodent feeders), or the effective administration of target-animal pharmaceuticals or mitigation techniques.
Core Innovation
The invention provides compositions and methods for repelling or attracting dichromatic animals by combining a repellent or attractant agent with a wavelength-specific visual cue agent. This combination produces an unexpected and synergistic effect of increased repellency or attraction even when the dichromatic animals are not maximally sensitive to the wavelengths of the agents used. The visual cue agent exhibits spectral characteristics sufficiently similar to those of the repellent or attractant agent but falls outside the range within which the animals are maximally sensitive, typically in ultraviolet (UV; <400 nm) or infrared (IR; >700 nm) wavelengths.
The problem being solved is that most dichromatic animals do not perceive the full spectrum wavelengths to which repellent or attractant agents operate, particularly those outside their maximal sensitivity ranges. Consequently, existing repellents or attractants may require high doses or may be less effective. The invention addresses this by demonstrating that behavioral responsiveness (≥5% change in repellency or attraction) can be achieved in dichromatic animals by combining agents with visual cues whose spectral characteristics are close enough to be indistinguishable to the animals but operate outside their maximal sensitivity, thereby reducing required amounts of repellent or attractant while maintaining or enhancing efficacy.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains three independent claims focusing on methods for changing the behavioral response of dichromatic animals using repellent compositions combined with wavelength-specific visual cue agents applied in different sequences or combinations.
Combination of spectral visual cue and repellent agent outside maximal sensitivity ranges
The method involves providing a composition comprising a wavelength-specific visual cue agent and a repellent agent where both have spectral characteristics sufficiently similar to each other but outside the maximal wavelength sensitivity ranges of the dichromatic animal, such that the agents are not visibly recognized by the animal. This induces a behavioral response change at least 5% greater than using either agent alone.
Sequential application method of repellent followed by combined or visual cue only applications
The method includes applying an effective amount of repellent agent initially, followed by one or more subsequent applications of the wavelength-specific visual cue agent either with the same or reduced repellent amount or alone, to achieve a behavioral response change of at least 5% greater than individual agent application.
Concurrent application method of repellent and wavelength-specific visual cue agent
The method involves concurrent application of effective amounts of both repellent agent and wavelength-specific visual cue agent to the target, resulting in a behavioral response change at least 5% greater than either agent applied alone.
The inventive features collectively reveal methods of combining wavelength-specific visual cue agents with repellent agents having spectral characteristics outside dichromatic animals' maximal sensitivity to synergistically enhance behavioral response changes (repellency), via initial, subsequent, or concurrent application strategies, applied to various targets to effectively repel these animals.
Stated Advantages
Increased efficacy in repelling or attracting dichromatic animals, achieving at least a 5% greater behavioral response compared to using repellent or attractant agents alone.
Synergistic effect enables reduction in the amount of repellent or attractant agents applied while maintaining or enhancing effectiveness.
Applicability to a range of dichromatic animals and various targets including agricultural products and private property, potentially reducing monetary damage.
Non-lethal management strategy that integrates visual cues for improved animal behavioral modification.
Documented Applications
Repelling dichromatic animal pests to prevent or minimize monetary damage to agricultural products, natural resources, or private property.
Attracting dichromatic animals to targets for agricultural production purposes, recreational opportunities (e.g., wild-rodent feeders), or for effective administration of pharmaceuticals or mitigation techniques to target animals.
Protection of crops such as corn, fruit, grains, grasses, legumes, lettuce, millet, oats, rice, row crops, sorghum, sunflower, tree nuts, turf, vegetables, and wheat from damage by wild rodents and rabbits.
Application to structures, agricultural fields or crops, seeds, seedlings, orchards, vineyards, livestock feed, fertilizers, pesticides, animal or insect baits, and combinations thereof.
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