Method and apparatus for the destruction of imported fire ants of the genus Solenopsis

A method for eradication of the Imported Fire Ant of the Genus Solenopsis comprising the steps of:

• preparing a mixture of chemicals comprised of a solvent and an insecticide that will vaporize into sub-micron particles when heated to an adequate temperature;
• placing said mixture into a pressurizable holding container having a means of pressurizing, a means for sealing the container, a means for controlling the pressure, a means for releasing the pressure, and a means to transfer the mixture from the container;
• transferring said mixture from the holding container to a vaporizing chamber;
• heating the mixture to temperatures as high as 2,210.degree. F.;
• transferring the vapor produced in the previous step into a colony, nest, or mound of the target insects;
• releasing the vapor in a controlled amount and with a controlled pressure adequate to rapidly and completely infuse the colony, nest, or mound including its entire chamber and all available pore space completely filling it with the insecticide carrying vapor totally replacing the entire ambient air supply of the colony, nest, or mound;
• introducing adequate amount of vapor to effect an immediate kill of all insects contained within the colony, nest or mound and further provide a long lasting, killing residue;
• and
• introducing the vapor in an injecting step that causes a venturi effect which, in turn, produces a vacuum effect allowing the vapor to be drawn into the colony, nest, or mound without the use of forced pressure injection.

An apparatus for eradicating Imported Fire Ants of the Genus Solenopsis comprising:

• an insecticide container for holding an insecticide and a solvent;
• havig a cap assembly to contain the pressure and the fluid in the container;
• means to regulate the pressure in the container;
• means to provide pressurizing gases to the container;
• means for pressurizing the insecticide container and expelling the insecticide and the solvent from the insecticide container;
• including a container for pressurizing gas;
• means to interconnect the pressurizing chamber and the insecticide container containing the insecticide;
• portable means for carrying the insecticide container and the pressurization container;
• an injector assembly;
• means for connecting the injector assembly to the insecticide container having the insecticide;
• the injector assembly including:
• a trigger assembly with a means for releasing the insecticide and solvent from the insecticide container;
• a one way valve assembly communicating with the trigger assembly that allows flow of liquid from the container and the trigger assembly into a manifold assembly which allows for a one-way flow at an activation rate of three (3) psi, but with a reverse flow pressure containment of 3,000 psi;
• a manifold of such design and dimensions to provide the means for accepting the aerosol droplets and/or liquid for transfer;
• an in-line orifice with means to break up the flow of the liquids into small, aerosol size droplets prior to entering the manifold;
• a vaporizing chamber having a double coil of tubing connected to the manifold, a mantle which acts as a flame spreader;
• a shielding baffle surrounding the flame spreader, sufficient insulation to contain the heat within the chamber, a stainless steel cover with means for attachment to a heat source, means for venting hot gases, and means to provide access to the inner portions of the vaporizing chamber;
• the mantle provides for the spreading of a flame source enabling an equal distribution of heat over the entire surface of the inner coil of the vaporizing chamber with a means including an end cap for reflecting the flame from the burner source back into the chamber and being of such material as to withstand ambient, sustained temperatures in excess of 2,200.degree. F.;
• an ignitor and torch assembly connected to the vaporizing chamber to provide a flame source, and having a means for accepting an external fuel source;
• a molded handle assembly with means to enclose the trigger assembly, the one way valve, the in-line orifice, and the manifold, configured to provide adequate support for the entire assembly and to provide a means for forced injection of the lance tip into a substrate;
• a lance assembly having inner and outer barrels;
• a coupling arrangement with means for joining the manifold to the inner and outer barrels of the lance assembly;
• the means of accepting the heated vapor from the vaporizing chamber with a means of conveying this vapor into an inner barrel of the lance assembly;
• the inner barrel for the transport of vapor from the manifold assembly to the lance tip assembly with means for attachment to the manifold and with means for containing an orifice that restricts the flow of the vapor from the manifold and creates a back pressure to the vaporizing chamber which enables the liquid insecticide and solvent to remain within the vaporizing chamber for an adequate time to attain temperatures that will permit the input of energy that will cause the particles of the vapor to be dispersed to sub-micron size and further for the orifice to cause a pressure differential at the point of release thus giving rise to a venturi effect at the point of injection;
• the outer barrel providing structural integrity and a means for insertion into the substrate and with a means for attachment to the manifold, a means for attachment of a lance tip, and a means for attaching a movable fore-grip handle;
• an annular air space defined between the inner and the outer barrels to provide an insulating cushion of air between the hot inner barrel and the cold outer barrel;
• a lance tip assembly comprising three circumferentially spaced flutes which coalesce at a common point with a conical projection that is coaxially aligned with the orifice of the inner tube to deflect discharging vapor laterally around the point of insertion and with a means for shielding the orifice, a means for attachment to the outer barrel, a means for providing a built-in wrench channel, and a means to provide access to the inner barrel orifice for cleaning or removal without disassembly of the lance tip;
• and
• a fore-grip assembly with means for attachment to the outer barrel of the lance assembly by means of a slide assembly and containing a quick-release locking assembly to allow positioning along and around the barrel at the user's discretion.