Alternating layer non-edible foraging matrix configurations for crawling arthropods

摘要

Below ground kits for controlling arthropods such as termites, ants, and roaches. A first embodiment fills a chamber with a food and places it adjacent to an arthropod population such as termites, so that live termites can then enter the entrance/exit of the tube to reach the food. Once termites are inside the tube, a non-edible foraging matrix, such as a disc of loose soil, sand, rocks, shale, and gravel that is treated with a slow acting and non-repellant toxicant, is placed between the food in the chamber and the termite entrance/exit. Termites are forced to pass through and disperse the slow-acting and non-repellent toxicant through their tunnels and living space in order to kill termites over time. A second embodiment houses the slow acting toxicant mixed with non-edible foraging matrix in a chamber having at least one wall formed from an edible, non-toxic food source such as being wood, paper, cellulose material, foam, plastic, and the like. Termites eat their way into the middle housing portion of the chamber and eventually take the toxicants back to their homes. A still another embodiment takes the chamber housing the mixture of slow-acting toxicant and non-edible foraging matrix and places it into a second chamber also having at least one wall being formed from an edible, non-toxic food source. The chamber allow for the easy handling placements of the foraging matrixes. Additional embodiments use outer frames that can be formed from long lasting materials such as rust resistant metal, aluminum, plastics having openings for allowing arthropods to pass through to access the chambers previously described. Additionally, stakes can be formed in the bottoms of the chambers for allowing easy ground insertion. Another embodiment has alternating layers of the non-edible foraging matrix treated with the slow-acting toxicant and layers of non-toxic edible/attractant materials allow for the treatment of different arthropods. Arthropods such as termites, fire ants, carpenter ants, and roaches can be treated with the subject embodiments.