Weather resistant granular slug, snail and insect bait

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a physical and chemical formulation designed to be attractive to, and eaten by, terrestrial mollusks, specifically slugs and snails. Optionally, the formulation is also attractive to and toxic to insects. Upon being eaten and after a set delay, the invention is designed to kill such pests and in so doing remove them from the premises or environment treated.

1 . A pest control composition for controlling terrestrial mollusks, the composition comprising a borate-containing agent toxic to mollusks when ingested.  
   
   
       2 . The pest control composition of  claim 1 , wherein the borate-containing active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, an alkali metal borate, an alkaline earth metal borate, a mixed alkali/alkaline earth metal borate, a metal borate, a non-metal borate, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein the alkali metal borate is selected from the group consisting of sodium borate, potassium borate, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein the alkaline earth metal borate is selected from the group consisting of calcium borate, magnesium borate, barium borate, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein the alkali/alkaline earth metal borate comprises sodium magnesium borate.  
   
   
       6 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein the metal borate is selected from the group consisting of zinc borate, copper borate, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein the non-metal borate comprises borosilicate.  
   
   
       8 . The pest control composition of  claim 3 , wherein the sodium borate is selected from the group consisting of borax, sodium pentaborate, sodium octaborate, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The pest control composition of  claim 4 , wherein the calcium borate is selected from the group consisting of colmanite, ulexite, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein boric acid comprises from 0.1 to 10 percent of the pest control composition, based upon total dry weight of the pest control composition.  
   
   
       11 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein boric acid comprises less than 10 percent of the pest control composition, based upon total dry weight of the pest control composition.  
   
   
       12 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein boric acid comprises less than 20 percent of the pest control composition, based upon total dry weight of the pest control composition.  
   
   
       13 . The pest control composition of  claim 2 , wherein boric acid comprises at least 0.1 percent of the pest control composition, based upon total dry weight of the pest control composition.  
   
   
       14 . The pest control composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier matrix comprises an organic material.  
   
   
       15 . The pest control composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier matrix comprises ground corncobs.  
   
   
       16 . The pest control composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier matrix comprises an organic material having food value to terrestrial mollusks.  
   
   
       17 . The pest control composition of  claim 16 , wherein the organic material having food value to terrestrial mollusks is selected from the group consisting of oil, carbohydrate, fruit extract, vegetable extract, protein and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       18 . A pest control composition for controlling terrestrial mollusks, the pest control composition comprising: 
 at least 50 percent of an organic carrier;    at least 5 percent oil;    at least 5 percent carbohydrate; and    at least 2 percent of a borate-containing composition.    
   
   
       19 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the borate-containing composition comprises boric acid or borax.  
   
   
       20 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the pest control composition comprises from 60 to 90 percent organic carrier.  
   
   
       21 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the pest control composition comprises from 10 to 20 percent oil.  
   
   
       22 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the pest control composition comprises from 5 to 20 percent sugar.  
   
   
       23 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the pest control composition comprises up to 15 percent of a borate-containing composition.  
   
   
       24 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the pest control composition comprises: 
 about 70 percent corncob matter;    about 15 percent corn oil;    about 10 percent sugar; and    about 5 percent boric acid,    wherein all percentages are based upon dry weight of the pest control composition.    
   
   
       25 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the pest control composition substantially retains its integrity after being exposed to the weather for 1 week  
   
   
       26 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the pest control composition substantially retains its efficacy after being exposed to the weather for 1 month  
   
   
       27 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the composition is administered to pests in a granular form.  
   
   
       28 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the composition is administered to pests in a paste form.  
   
   
       29 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the composition is administered to pests in a pellet form.  
   
   
       30 . The pest control composition of  claim 18 , wherein the composition is administered to pests in a solid block form.  
   
   
       31 . A method of controlling terrestrial mollusks, the method comprising causing terrestrial mollusks to ingest a pest control composition comprising: 
 at least about 50 percent of an organic carrier;    at least about 5 percent oil;    at least about 5 percent carbohydrate; and    at least about 2 percent of a borate-containing composition;    wherein all weight percentages are based upon dry weight of the pest control composition.    
   
   
       32 . The method of controlling terrestrial mollusks of  claim 31 , wherein the borate-containing composition comprises boric acid.  
   
   
       33 . The method of controlling terrestrial mollusks of  claim 31 , wherein pest control composition comprises from 3 to 8 percent of a borate-containing composition, based upon total weight of the pest control composition.  
   
   
       34 . The method of controlling terrestrial mollusks of  claim 31 , wherein the pest control composition substantially retains its integrity after being exposed to the weather for 1 week.  
   
   
       35 . The method of controlling terrestrial mollusks of  claim 31 , wherein the pest control composition retains efficacy after being exposed to the weather for 1 month.  
   
   
       36 . A weather resistant terrestrial mollusk control product, the terrestrial mollusk control product comprising: 
 at least 3 percent, by weight, of a borate-containing agent toxic to both insects and mollusks, but substantially non-repellant to both insects and mollusks; and    at least 50 percent by weight of a carrier matrix;    wherein the weather resistant terrestrial mollusk control product substantially retains its integrity after being exposed to the weather for 1 week.    
   
   
       37 . The weather resistant terrestrial mollusk control product of  claim 36 , wherein the weather resistant terrestrial mollusk control product substantially retains its integrity after being exposed to an exterior environment for 1 week.  
   
   
       38 . The weather resistant terrestrial mollusk control product of  claim 36 , wherein the weather resistant terrestrial mollusk control product substantially retains its efficacy after being exposed to up to two inches of rain over a period of four weeks.  
   
   
       39 . The weather resistant terrestrial mollusk control product of  claim 36 , comprising from 3 to 10 percent, by weight, of a borate-containing agent toxic to both insects and mollusks, but substantially non-repellant to both insects and mollusks  
   
   
       40 . The weather resistant terrestrial mollusk control product of  claim 36 , wherein the borate-containing toxic agent comprises boric acid.