AU2005100654A4 - Protection of timber poles from subterranean termites using the interceptor ring & bait tube station system - Google Patents

Description

SPECIFICATION FOR INNOVATION PATENT APPLICATION ENTITLED "PROTECTION OF TIMBER POLES FROM SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES USING THE INTERCEPTOR RING AND BAIT TUBE STATION SYSTEM".

in the name of Mr. John Thorpe and Dr. J.R.J. French HomeTeam Australia P/L 6 Middlespring Court, Sippy Downs, Qld, 4556.

Tel: 61-412 629 600 Fax: (07) 5445 6933 Email: hometeam@optusnet.com.au th August, 2005.

Application Number "PROTECTION OF TIMBER POLES FROM SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES USING THE INTERCEPTOR RING AND BAIT TUBE STATION SYSTEM".

DESCRIPTION OF INTERCEPTOR RING AND BAITTUBE STATION

SYSTEM.

The Interceptor Ring and Bait Tube Station System is a termite interception system designed to intercept and direct foraging subterranean termites ('termites')just under the soil surface near or around a timber pole into a bait tube station. The bait tube station may contain a non-repellent and slow-acting bait toxicant impregnated in cellulosic materials chitin synthesis inhibitor such as noviflumuron, chlorfluazuron, or fipronil, premise, etc.), and foraging termites feed on the bait matrix and disseminate the toxin through their colony. This leads to the gradual eradication of the colony.

By slow-acting, it is meant an insecticide that affects and kills termites within a period of time greater than 3-4 hours after contact or ingestion of the toxin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an overall diagrammatic representation of the Interceptor Ring connected to the Bait Tube Station.

Figure 2 is a part-sectional view of the Interceptor Ring and the grooved wood dowel inserts that have been treated with a termite attractant.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the Bait Tube Station according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a part-sectional view showing the Interceptor Ring connected to the Bait Tube Station encircling the timber pole and positioned about 50mm below the soil surface or ground line.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An overall view of the Interceptor Ring and Bait Tube Station according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The Interceptor Ring 1 is manufactured from a single section of plastic pipe, 1500mm long, and 13mm outside diameter. Five mm diameter holes 8 are drilled every 100mm on two sides of the pipe, and an insert of grooved wood dowelling 6 (30mm long; 9.5mm diameter) placed within the interceptor pipe near the 5mm drilled holes in the Interceptor Ring. The grooved wood dowells 6 are impregnated with a suitable termite attractant prior to insertion into the Interceptor Ring as shown in Figure 2.

The Bait Tube Station 4 is manufactured from a robust, but biodegradable waxed cardboard tube (70 mm diameter and 200mm long), with two holes 3 (14mm diameter) positioned 40mm from the top for insertion of the Interceptor Ring (see Figure The top and bottom of the cardboard tube is fitted with plastic caps that may be affixed thereto by any suitable means, a threaded connection, a bayonet mount, a clip or catch, a silicon adhesive, or other suitable means. Preferably, cap 2 is detachable from the tube 4 (see Figure 3).

A suitable slow-acting toxin is placed within the tube 4. The toxin may be wetted with water prior to the top lid being secured. The top of the pipe is fitted with a plastic cap that has a 16mm diameter hole cut into the centre of the plastic lid, and sealed with a circular section of clear plastic, which is glued to the top lid. This is the termite detection hole 9.

The top lid is held in position by a suitable means.

Termites enter the bait station via the holes 7 drilled in the interceptor Ring pipel. The large holes 3 (14mm diameter) are where the Interceptor Ring is connected to the Bait Tube Station (see Figure 1).

PLACEMENT OF INTERCEPTOR RING AND BAIT TUBE STATION AROUND A TIMBER POLE Remove the soil around the timber pole to about 200mm from around the edge of the pole and to a depth of ca. 100mm from the ground line. At a suitable location at the edge of the pole, excavate a hole about 100-120mm wide and 120mm deep. Place the Bait Tube Station into the 120mm deep hole and connect the Interceptor Ring pipe into the holes situated at the upper portion of the Bait Tube Station (see Figure 4).

Wet the area over and around the installed device, back fill with soil, tamping lightly, and re-wet the soil surface. The device is now in position to intercept foraging termites that may be around the timber pole, and termites will be attracted to the treated wood dowells within the plastic pipe (see Figure Once the termites enter the Interceptor Ring they move through and locate the suitable attractive bait matrix, incorporating a toxin, in the Bait Tube Station. Once at the station, termites feed and recruit more termites to consume the attractive bait matrix, which is transferred by the foragers back to the colony members nearby; so leading to their demise.

Claims (19)

1. A device to intercept foraging termites around a timber pole using a termite attractive matrix within a plastic pipe, into which they enter and locate the bait impregnated with a slow-acting toxin, in the bait tube station.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is below ground.

3. A device according to claim 1 and 2 wherein the device is arranged to encourage the aggregation of foraging termites in the soil.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein another container with a termiticide with a slow-acting mode of action against feeding termites is coupled to the interceptor ring.

A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the interceptor ring has been drilled holes which are large enough to allow termites to enter into this structure.

6. A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the interceptor ring has been drilled holes at regular intervals along it's length.

7. A device for the protection of timber-in-service, in this case, timber poles in the ground used by utility authorities or as supports for other structures using timber poles, such as pergolas or houses, and comprising a set of at least one interceptor and bait station according to any of the foregoing claims, each system able to control the termites in a limited area in a timber pole or near building with timber poles, the locations provide an overall control of termites around the timber poles that are favourable to termite foraging.

8. A device wherein the interceptor ring connecting the bait tube station encircles the upright timber pole in the ground, and are buried to a depth of 100mm.

9. A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the interceptor ring and connected bait tube station are covered with soil to a depth of about 100mm, and at least 50mm from the edge of the pole.

A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the interceptor ring can be connected to a bait tube station in order to aggregate large numbers of termites.

11. A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the aggregated termites within the interceptor ring and bait tube station are dusted with a dust toxicant or feed on bait toxicants in the bait tube station.

12. A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the aggregated termites within the interceptor ring and connected to the bait tube station are dusted with a dust toxicant or feed on bait toxicants in the bait tube station and return through the device and contaminate the whole colony system leading to it's collapse and death.

13. A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the device can be used as a "do-it-yourself' termite interception and control system.

14. A device for intercepting foraging termites from within infested timber poles to aggregate into the bait tube station and are dusted with a dust toxicant or feed on bait toxicants in the bait tube station and return through the device and contaminate the whole colony system leading to it's collapse and death.

A device according to claim 1 wherein the bait tube station contains, an inspection hole, an attractive matrix for the termites together with a non- repellent chemical toxin.

16. A device according to claim 1 and 2 wherein the bait tube station contains a termiticide with a slow-acting mode of action against termites.

17. A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein there is sufficient bait toxicant in the bait tube station to kill an active colony of termites that are attacking a timber pole.

18. A device according to any of the foregoing claims wherein the system can be used as a "do-it-yourself' termite control system.

19. A device for protecting timber poles from termites using the interceptor ring and bait tube station as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Name of ApplicantMr J. T ipe Name of Applicant Dr. J.J. French /7/ Date: 1 0 th August, 2005.