Title of Invention

"A NOVEL SYNERGISTIC RODENT REPELLENT LIQUID FORMULATION"

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation.The formulation is based on plant materials and non-lethal chemical compounds. The main utility of the formulation is to protect the food materials stored in gunny or jute sacs when treated/sprayed to prevent or reduce the rodent (rats & mice) attack. A novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation comprises: Pongamia oil ranging from 20-50 weight %, Citronella oil 1-3 weight %, Methyl anthranilate 12-14 weight %. Turpentine or deodourised kerosene 38-65 weight %.

Full Text

'The present invention relates to a novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation, more particularly based on plant materials and non-lethal chemical compounds, The main utility of the formulation is to protect the food materials stored in gunny or jute sacs when treated/sprayed to prevent or reduce the rodent (rate & mice) attack. Rodents frequently damage various types of packaged materials, sacked grains and stored materials when they seek food, shelter and nesting. To help conserve food, reduce cost and maintain or raise sanitation standards proper protective measures must be available. However, methods now available and widely used include the use of poisons and traps. Although use of repellents would be more appropriate in most of the situations for preventing damage to stored materials, packed foods, storage structures, newly sown seeds etc., due to non-availability of repellents (specially in our country - currently no rodent repellents are available) which are effective, economical and safe, other methods of controlling these rodent pests are followed. So far, the work carried on rodent repellency is based on the use of chemical compounds to a large extent. The information also indicates that though compounds viz. cycloheximide (actidione) and tributylin acetate are most effective in repelling rodents, could not be used in the field due to their toxicity and high cost (Welch, 1954; Anthony and Tigner, 1967). The other chemicals reported to be effective being Thiram (Tetra methyl thiurum disulphide), Ziram (Zinc dimethyl dithiocarbamate), Besser and Welch 1959; Welch and Duggan 1952). Philips Petroleum Company reported (Anon 1969) the effectiveness of R- 55 (tertiary-Butylsulfenyl dimethyldithiocarbamate or Rotran) an organic repellent against rats and mice, but the work of Krishnakumari and Jackson (1973) showed that testing of the same compound did not yield absolute protection, though it was effective against Rattus norvegicus (wild) and mice, it was not effective against laboratory rats and roof rats (R. rattus). Majumder et al (1964) reported that malathion carried in high viscosity oil is an effective rodent repellent against roof rats but currently, controversial opinions regarding its efficacy being voiced due to reports of resistance/tolerance problems. The only report available regarding the use of natural materials of botanical origin is by Marsh et al (1990), wherein corn stalks, yucca leaves, dried rushes, bamboo, juniper etc. were wrapped or tied around trunks of young trees to protect them from bark gnawing mammals like meadow voles and rabbits. However, Bottrell in US Patent No. 1,871,949 reported the use of peppermint oil to repell rodents. Cross in US Patent No. 2,159,550 reported that extracts from the wood and fruits of Areca catechu plant have repellent properties. Yet, neither of these materials have had any commercial success. The main objective of the present invention is to provide a novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation, which obviates the above drawbacks. Another object of the present invention is to provide protection to materials stored in sacs, bags or cartons from rodent attack and also to other materials like wires and cables.Yet in another object of the present invention is to evolve methods to repel the rodents (without harming them in a humane way) to reduce the damages. Still in another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid rodent repellent formulation based on plant materials which is nontoxic, safe and effective repellent against the target rodent pest - Rattus rattus (roof rat) and also to other rats and mice, because they co-exist in most of the habitats. Another object of the present invention is to provide an eco friendly repellent formulation. Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation comprising: Pongamia oil ranging from 20-50 weight %, Citronella oil 1-3 weight %, Methyl anthranilate 12-14 weight %. Turpentine or deodourised kerosene 38-65 weight %. In an embodiment of the present invention, the formulation further may comprise of: Pongamia oil ranging from 45-50 weight %, Citronella oil 1.5-2.5 weight %, Methyl anthranilate 12-13 weight %. Turpentine or deodourised kerosene 38-40 weight %. In another embodiment of the present invention, the formulation further may comprise of: Pongamia oil ranging from 20-22 weight %. Citronella oil 2-3 weight%, Methyl anthranilate 13-14 weight%, Turpentine or deodourised kerosene 62-64 weight%. Only a few non-lethal chemicals are available for rodent control although they would be desirable in situations where lethal control poses health or aesthetic risks. Those substances that are available are either indiscriminately offensive such as Capsaicin (Meehan, 1988) or unpredictable in performance such as Denatonium benzoate which varies inter and intraspecifically (Beauchamp, Mason, 1991). The formulation has a synergism in respect of physical property i.e. the colour of formulation prepared in dark brown in colour. The individual ingredient do not have rat repellent property as such whereas the formulation shows a good rats repellent property. The following examples are given by way of illustration of the present invention: Example 1 The rodent repellent formulation composition includes the following ingredients in two formulations: Formulation I Pongamia oil (brown colour)-50 ml, 47.2 parts by weight Citronella oil (yellow colour) - 01 ml, 1.9 parts by weight Methyl anthranilate (pale yellow) -15 ml, 12.5 parts by weight Turpentine or deodourised kerosene (pale yellow)- 44 ml, 38.4 parts by weight. Formulation II Pongamia oil (brown colour)- 20 ml_, 21.5 parts by weight Citronella oil (yellow colour) - 01 ml, 2.1 parts by weight Methyl anthranilate (pale yellow) -10 ml, 13.7 parts by weight Turpentine or deodourised kerosene (pale yellow) - 69 ml, 62.7 parts by weight. Take pongamia oil and to this add citronella oil, methyl anthranilate and Turpentine or deodourised kerosene and stir well. The concentrate appears brown golden in colour and this is further diluted to 1:5, 1:10 or 1:20 using aqueous base (water) and emulsifier (Tween-20, Tween-80 or liquid detergent, 10-12 drops per 100 ml of the formulation) preferably before it is used for application. Also it can be used as concentrate when it is brushed or painted directly for structures or materials (non-food) to be protected by rodent attack. Example 2 The test method used to evaluate the formulation is as follows: Barrier test using adult albino or laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) weighing 150-220 gm for males and 120-160 gm for females kept individually in cages and trained to gnaw through paper barriers were treated with test compounds separately and the formulation to obtain food. For each ingredient/compound tested 4-8 rats were used. The effectiveness was assessed by comparing the damage/gnawings and also the intensity of gnawing to the treated and untreated barriers. The results obtained showed the effectiveness of formulation as indicated by nil damage to treated barriers when compared to controls. Example 3 Similar tests against laboratory mice (Mus musculus) using cloth barriers, also showed the efficacy of the formulation in reducing the damage. Example 4 Roof rats (Rattus rattus) in groups of 20 (10 M + 10 F) maintained in rat pens (special facility available in the institute to study the behavioural response under semi natural conditions) were used. Barrier tests using the specially designed metal containers having the facility to keep the food inside while both the sides are covered with treated jute/cloth. The results obtained showed that no damage occurred to treated once at least for a period of 1 to 2 weeks. It is claimed that the rodent repellent formulation which comprises of pongamia oil, citronella oil, methylanthranilate carried in solvent like viz., turpentine/deordourised kerosene provides repellency against rats and mice for a period of at least 7-15 days. The main advantages of the present invention are: 1. Use of pongamia oil as a rodent repellent has been reported/explored for the first time. 2. The property of formulation to repel rats is for roof rats (Rattus rattus) a major rodent pest of our country. 3. The property of formulation to repel is also for another rat (Rattus norvegicus), 4. The property of formulation is also applicable to laboratory mice (Mus musculus). We Claim: 1. A novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation comprising: Pongamia oil ranging from 20-50 weight %, Citronella oil 1-3 weight %, Methyl anthranilate 12-14 weight %. Turpentine or deodourised kerosene 38-65 weight %. 2. A novel synergistic formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the formulation comprises: Pongamia oil ranging from 45-50 weight %, Citronella oil 1.5-2.5 weight %, Methyl anthranilate 12-13 weight %. Turpentine or deodourised kerosene 38-40 weight %. 3. A novel synergistic formulation as claimed in claims 1& 2, wherein the formulation comprises: Pongamia oil ranging from 20-22 weight %, Citronella oil 2-3 weight %, Methyl anthranilate 13-14 weight %. Turpentine or deodourised kerosene 62-64 weight %. 4. A novel synergistic rodent repellent liquid formulation substantially as herein described with reference to examples.

Documents:

338-DEL-2002-Abstract-13-05-2008.pdf

338-del-2002-abstract.pdf

338-DEL-2002-Claims-13-05-2008.pdf

338-del-2002-claims.pdf

338-DEL-2002-Correspondence-Others-13-05-2008.pdf

338-del-2002-correspondence-others.pdf

338-del-2002-correspondence-po.pdf

338-del-2002-description (complete)-13-05-2008.pdf

338-del-2002-description (complete).pdf

338-del-2002-form-1.pdf

338-del-2002-form-18.pdf

338-del-2002-form-2.pdf

338-DEL-2002-Form-3-13-05-2008.pdf

338-del-2002-form-3.pdf