Methods for the control of arthropods using near-ideal gas phase hydrogen peroxide
Inventors
Lee, James D. • Bosma, Douglas J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11751569-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for controlling arthropods, including insects and arachnids in an environment. The methods generally comprise: generating a near-ideal gas Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is substantially non-hydrated (e.g., in the form of water in solution or water in solution or water molecules bonded by covalence, van der Waals forces, or London forces) and substantially free of, e.g., ozone, plasma species, and/or organic species; and directing the gas comprising primarily PHPG into the environment such that the PHPG acts to control arachnids in the environment. In certain aspects, the arachnids may be totally or partially killed.
Core Innovation
The described invention controls arthropods by providing near-ideal gas phase purified hydrogen peroxide gas (PHPG) to an environment. The PHPG is substantially non-hydrated and substantially free of ozone, plasma species, and organic species, and is diffused throughout air-accessible spaces so that an enclosed environment becomes a PHPG containing environment capable of controlling susceptible arthropods.
The approach includes generating and delivering PHPG to maintain a PHPG containing environment for a time period sufficient to control insects and specified phylogenetic orders. The document associates the PHPG generation approach with purpose-designed morphology that enables rapid removal to prevent reduction, and it states operational constraints for ozone, hydration, and related preparation conditions.
The described control effects include repellency, immobility, dormancy, disorientation, flight or exit seeking, and additional behavioral outcomes. The document also reports life-cycle disruption effects, including death of eggs and immature stages and death outcomes for other insect life stages, and it describes mechanisms linked to tracheal tubes and book lungs for arthropods.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims. Across them, the core inventive features are the provision and maintenance of a purified hydrogen peroxide gas (PHPG) containing environment for controlling specified insects in an environment type while meeting stated concentration and ozone constraints, with selectable insect phylogenetic orders.
Purified hydrogen peroxide gas for controlling insects at stated concentration and maintenance time
providing purified hydrogen peroxide gas (PHPG) to said environment to prepare a PHPG containing environment having PHPG at a concentration of between about 0.005 parts per million (ppm) to about 1 ppm; and maintaining said PHPG containing environment for a time period sufficient to control said insects.
Constrained ozone and php g concentrations in a grocery store environment
providing PHPG to said grocery store to prepare a PHPG containing grocery store having PHPG gas at a final concentration of between 0.005 and 1.0 ppm and less than 0.015 ppm of ozone; and maintaining said PHPG containing environment for a time period sufficient to control said insects.
The claim coverage centers on controlling insects by generating and providing a PHPG containing environment with PHPG at between about 0.005 ppm and about 1 ppm and, in the grocery store claim, less than 0.015 ppm ozone, and maintaining that environment for a time period sufficient to control the insects, where the insects are selected from the listed phylogenetic orders.
Stated Advantages
The document asserts green and non-residue advantages for the PHPG-based control approach.
Documented Applications
Controlling insects in enclosed environments by diffusing PHPG throughout air-accessible spaces, including houses, storage, lodging, greenhouse, and pet-related settings.
Use in food processing facilities.
Shipping agricultural produce.
Termite and other arthropod control.
Pool house testing with observed outcomes.
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