# US 11,304,413 B2 · Pest control devices, methods, and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,304,413 B2 - Document ID: US11304413B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/417,154 - Filed: 2019-05-20 - Published: 2019-09-05 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-25 - Applicants: Brett E. Bunker; Chandra L. Maleckas-Bunker - Inventors: Brett E. Bunker; Chandra L. Maleckas-Bunker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304413B2 ## CPC - A01M 1/02: with devices {or substances, e.g. food, pheronones} attracting the insects - A01M 1/10: {Catching insects by using} Traps {(using suction effect A01M1/06)} - A01M 1/106: {for flying insects} - A01M 1/14: Catching by adhesive surfaces - A01M 1/20: Poisoning, narcotising, or burning insects {(fumigation apparatus A01M13/00)} - A01M 1/2027: {without heating} - A01M 23/00: Traps for animals - A01M 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - F42B 12/50: by dispersion - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS - F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D) ## Abstract Devices and methods for pest control, including devices useful to place pest control devices at locations of use such as at a crop (e.g., at a branch of a tree), certain embodiments of devices including a capsule and a tether that can become tangled or caught in a tree or other crop location. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of placing a pest control device on a branch of a tree, the method comprising: providing a pest control device comprising two segments connected by a tether, providing a launcher comprising a barrel and a source of pressurized gas, placing the pest control device, in a deployable state wherein the two segments engage to form an enclosed capsule, at one end of the barrel, injecting pressurized gas into the barrel to propel the pest control device through the barrel and out an open end of the barrel, wherein the pest control device takes on an attachment state wherein the segments are separated and connected by the tether and attaches by the tether to the branch. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pest control device comprises pheromone, and the method comprises placing the pest control device at a branch of a tree located in an orchard or a nursery. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, comprising disposing the pheromone at a branch located in an upper ⅓ of the tree. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the tree is an apple tree. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the pest control device comprises: the tether; a pest trap, a pest control agent, or both; the two segments, including: a first capsule segment comprising a cylindrical base having an inner portion, a first cylinder end, a second cylinder end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the first cylinder end to the second cylinder end, and a second capsule segment comprising a cap having an inner portion, a cap end adapted to engage the first cylinder end, and a three-dimensionally-rounded cap surface that extends from the cap end in a direction of the longitudinal axis and away from the base, when the cap end is engaged with the first cylinder end; and the capsule segments are engaged when in the deployable state, and are separated in the attachment state. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the cylindrical base of the first capsule segment comprises a cylinder and a bottom. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the bottom comprises an aperture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the two segments engage to form an enclosed capsule in the deployable state, wherein the tether is within the capsule when the capsule is in the deployable state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a coating located at an internal surface of the capsule segments, wherein the coating comprises the pest control agent. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises an adhesive, a release matrix, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a pheromone or a pesticide. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pest control device comprises a poison. ### Claim 13 A method of placing a pest control device on a branch of a tree, the method comprising: providing a pest control device comprising two segments connected by a tether, providing a launcher adapted to dispense the pest control device, placing the pest control device, in a deployable state wherein the two segments engage, in the launcher, propelling the pest control device from the launcher, wherein the pest control device takes on an attachment state wherein the segments are separated and connected by the tether and attaches by the tether to the branch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method of claim 13, wherein the launcher propels the cartridge using mechanical power. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A method of claim 13, wherein the launcher propels the cartridge using compressed air. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A method of claim 13, wherein the launcher propels the cartridge using carbon dioxide. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the pest control device comprises a poison.