Method for repelling rodents
Inventors
Ballinger, Jr., Kenneth E. • Werner, Scott John
Assignees
Arkion Life Sciences LLC • US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-9999220-B2
Publication Date
2018-06-19
Expiration Date
2035-01-13
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to the use of polycyclic quinones, and particularly, anthraquinones, to non-lethally repel rodents from consuming or otherwise damaging vegetation, private property, man-made structures, or agricultural products in the field and in storage. Further, the invention shows use as a protection strategy for various other products used as a food source by certain rodents.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to the use of polycyclic quinones, especially anthraquinones, as selective, non-lethal repellents to deter rodents from consuming or damaging vegetation, private property, man-made structures, and agricultural products both in the field and in storage. These polycyclic quinones effectively repel certain rodents without harming the environment or the animals.
The problem addressed by the invention is the widespread damage and health hazards caused by rodents, which consume and contaminate food, agricultural crops, and infrastructure. Existing repellent methods, including physical barriers, lethal poisons, natural and chemical repellents, and sound-based repellents, suffer from limited effectiveness, toxicity to non-target species, environmental concerns, high costs, or easy circumvention by rodents. There is a continued need for a reliable, economical, and environmentally safe method to non-lethally deter rodents.
The invention provides a method of applying an effective amount of polycyclic quinone to substrates to achieve significant rodent repellency, with application levels and concentrations tailored to the substrate and rodent species. The polycyclic quinones possess physical properties such as low water solubility and high melting temperature that confer persistence against environmental degradation, making them effective as repellents. The invention also includes formulation compositions and various application methods suitable for different substrates and rodent targets.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims three independent methods for repelling rodents, each directed to applying polycyclic quinones to a different substrate type to achieve at least 80% repellency.
Applying polycyclic quinone to structural surfaces
A method of repelling rodents by applying polycyclic quinone at 200-2000 grams per square meter onto structural surfaces such as buildings, private property, roofing, insulation, pavement, roads, and storage containers to create a repellent barrier.
Applying polycyclic quinone to agricultural or food surfaces
A method of repelling rodents by applying polycyclic quinone at 5-40 pounds per acre onto agricultural crops, crop seeds, or ground coverings beneath roots and tubers to create a repellent barrier.
Applying polycyclic quinone to vegetation
A method of repelling rodents by applying polycyclic quinone at 200-2000 grams per square meter onto vegetation including plant assemblages, agricultural and horticultural systems, natural and man-made grasslands, forests, trees and trunks to prevent damage such as girdling.
The claims cover the use of polycyclic quinones, particularly 9,10-anthraquinone, applied at specific concentration and quantity ranges to diverse substrates—structural surfaces, agricultural products, and vegetation—to non-lethally repel a broad range of rodent species including the entire Rodentia family. Application methods include spraying and painting to form repellent barriers providing at least 80% rodent repellency.
Stated Advantages
Non-lethal deterrence of rodents that prevents damage to crops, property, and stored products without harming the animals or the environment.
Effective repellency achieved over a broad range of rodent species across the entire Rodentia family.
Persistence of repellency due to low water solubility and high melting temperature of polycyclic quinones, reducing erosion by environmental factors.
Versatile application methods and formulations suited for various surfaces, improving usability in different agricultural and structural contexts.
Documented Applications
Repelling rodents from consuming or damaging agricultural crops and seedlings including corn, oats, rice, wheat, soybeans, and vegetables in the field.
Protecting stored agricultural products and food by treating storage containers, shelving, pallets, flooring, walls, roofing, and surrounding areas.
Repelling rodents from vegetation broadly defined as plant assemblages including grasslands, forests, turf, and tree trunks to prevent damage such as girdling.
Treating structural surfaces such as buildings, man-made structures, pavements, roads, driveways, roofing, and insulation on private property to create rodent barriers.
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