Methods for the control of arthropods using near-ideal gas phase hydrogen peroxide

Inventors

Lee, James D. • Bosma, Douglas J.

Assignees

Synexis LLC

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 invention relates to controlling arthropods by providing Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) to an environment to prepare a PHPG containing environment. The PHPG containing environment contains PHPG gas at a final concentration of at least 0.1 parts per million (ppm) to about 5.0 ppm, and the environment comprises 0.015 parts per million (ppm) of ozone or less.

The PHPG is substantially non-hydrated and substantially free of ozone and plasma species, including any combinations thereof. The PHPG containing environment is maintained for a time period sufficient to control the arthropod, with documented effects including stopping activity and causing death, and additional outcomes including regurgitation, disorientation, frantic behavior, exiting particular environments, and death of eggs or immature or mature life stages.

The PHPG control concept further applies to treating an animal for an arthropod parasite by placing the animal in a PHPG containing environment for a period of time, with the amount of PHPG between 0.1 parts per million (ppm) to about 5.0 ppm. Another aspect applies the PHPG control approach to agricultural products during shipping by providing PHPG at a concentration of at least 0.1 ppm to about 5.0 ppm to a shipping container and maintaining the PHPG concentration during shipping so that the arthropod is controlled.

Claims Coverage

The partial content provides three independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on arthropod control using purified hydrogen peroxide gas with a defined ozone limit, treating an animal for an arthropod parasite by exposure to a PHPG containing environment at a defined concentration range, and controlling arthropods in an agricultural product during shipping by exposing a shipping container to PHPG while maintaining concentration.

Collectively, the independent claims cover arthropod control by maintaining a PHPG containing environment within a defined PHPG concentration range while limiting ozone to 0.015 ppm or less, exposing an animal to a PHPG containing environment for parasite treatment within the same concentration range, and applying the same PHPG concentration approach within a shipping container for agricultural product shipments.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications