System and methods for pest reduction

Abstract

The present invention includes a new type of bait for wood-targeting pest baiting systems and methods of obtaining the bait. Certain embodiments of the present invention include a blue-stained wood either treated with a solution that includes blue-stain fungi or wood naturally infected with blue-stain fungi. Additional embodiments of the present invention include a blue-stained solution that may be applied to a wood substrate or to a non-wood bait matrix.

1 . A wood-targeting pest baiting system comprising a bait for the wood-targeting pest, wherein said bait is a bait unit including an ophiostomatoid fungus that attracts wood-targeting pests and is a non-wood decaying fungus. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing configured to be positioned near a wood target and at least partially enclose the bait. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bait unit is a blue-stained wood. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the blue-stained wood is sapwood naturally infested with the ophiostomatoid fungus. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the blue-stained wood is sapwood artificially treated with the ophiostomatoid fungus. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the ophiostomatoid fungus is one selected from the following group: a non-wood decaying fungus selected from the group consisting of  Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis, Leptographium , and  Grossmannia , an extract from a non-wood decaying fungus selected from the group consisting of  Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis, Leptographium , and  Grossmannia , and a non-wood decaying fungus selected from the group consisting of  Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis, Leptographium , and  Grossmannia  in a solution with a solvent. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bait unit is a bait matrix artificially treated with the ophiostomatoid fungus. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the ophiostomatoid fungus is one selected from a genus of  Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis, Leptographium , and  Grossmannia.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the ophiostomatoid fungus is a non-wood decaying fungus selected from the group consisting of  Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis, Leptographium , and  Grossmannia , an extract from a non-wood decaying fungus selected from the group consisting of  Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis, Leptographium , and  Grossmannia , and a non-wood decaying fungus selected from the group consisting of  Ophiostoma, Ceratocystis, Leptographium , and Grossmannia in a solution with a solvent. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the bait matrix is made from one selected from the group of: a cellulosic material, other natural material, and a synthetic material suitable for termite feeding. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein bait unit is treated with a pesticide. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bait unit is treated with a wood-decay fungus. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the wood-decay fungus is derived from  G. trabeum.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wood-targeting pest bait system is a subterranean system configured to be positioned under the ground. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wood-targeting pest bait system is an aboveground bait system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the aboveground bait system is configured to be mounted on a wall.