Method of controlling pests and associated apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling ants and other pests are provided. A micromachine has a battery and a remotely actuatable electrical switch operatively associated therewith. The micromachine has at least a portion thereof covered by an ant attractant such as food or bait, for example. The micromachine is of such size and weight as to be readily transportable by a fire ant or carpenter ant or other pest. In one embodiment, a resistance heating element is energized by the battery when the switch is closed thereby causing communication between a recess containing a pheromone or fungus or other ant controllant substance and the exterior of the micromachine. In an alternate embodiment, a radio frequency transmitter will emit a signal to assist with location of the ant or pest nests and thereby permit action to be taken to control the ants. Vibration of the micromachine is preferably effected at intermittent periods. In further embodiments of the invention which are particularly advantageous in respect of rodent pests but are usable in connection with other pests, a micromachine may contain an explosive material which is detonated by the closing of a switch to permit a battery to energize a detonator. The switch may be remotely actuated as by a radio frequency signal or may in some instances, for example, when the micromachine has been ingested by the pest, be chemically activated as in a pH sensor or glucose sensor, for example. In other embodiments, odors which are attractants to pests may be released, neutralizing agents which neutralize the pest control material may be intermingled with the pest control material to neutralize the same and micromachines may be placed within tubes, boxes or other enclosures or an other article through which rodent pests may pass and pick up the micromachines with their grooming habits contributing to ingestion of the same. The micromachines may have transmitters which, when activated, will facilitate locating the device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.