Broad spectrum animal repellent and method

Abstract

An animal, bird, and repellent formulation and method for warding off deer, geese, birds and insects from shrubs, grass, water, walks, parking lots in around buildings and the like. The formulation is a mixture of water, rosemary oil, mint oil, cedar oil, kaolin clay, a thickener, preservative, white distilled vinegar and dried eggs. This formulation can be applied to a support medium, such as crushed eggshells, nutshells, or corncobs and then disbursed over the surface to be protected. The mixture can also be formed into a viscous composition and sprayed over the area. Additionally, this mixture can be applied to stagnate water to kill mosquito larvae or on a variety of surfaces to repel insects such as flies, spiders, beetles, ants and so forth.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 U.S. National Phase Entry of International Application No. PCT / US2008 / 072993 filed Aug. 13, 2008, the contents of which are each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field[0003]The invention generally relates to an animal repellent and, in particular, the invention relates to such a broad spectrum repellent composition which repels a large variety of pests, is transparent and can be applied to a wide range of surfaces and to a method for the use of such a composition.[0004]2. Prior Art[0005]The encroachment of human habitation on heretofore rural areas has exacerbated existing problems of pest control. In recent years suburban backyards and public green spaces have been invaded by exploding deer populations, fowl who take up residence on ponds and public areas near water fouling the surface or surrounding land area. Insect pests are also more prevalent in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]These formulations have proved effective in repelling deer and geese, birds, insects, and for killing mosquito larvae in stagnant water.

[0022]The formulation is a combination of components which work in combination in a synergistic manner to provide multiple layers of repulsion and which is broad spectrum in the number of animal species repelled thus avoiding the necessity of applying multiple compositions to repel various animal pests.

[0023]The formulation comprises specified amounts of plant essential oils and herb oils in an aqueous composition with sufficient optional adjuvants to promote retention of the composition on surfaces to be treated and increase effectiveness. Optional components such as dilute acids, naturally occurring insecticides, sodium chloride and potassium soaps increase the range of activity of the base composition with regard to the number of animal species repelled and the duration of repulsion effect. Potassium sorbate may be used as a preservative.

[0025]Existing products have a limited spectrum of repellency requiring the use of multiple formulations to prevent encroachment of animal pests.

[0028]Another object of the invention is to make use of EPA-approved components without reduction of the effectiveness of the treatment.

Problems solved by technology

The encroachment of human habitation on heretofore rural areas has exacerbated existing problems of pest control.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,204, issued Jul. 21, 1998 to the instant inventor discloses that one problem of the prior art deer repellent formulations is that, although the ingredients are common materials, they requires approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) which involves long and costly tests.

Formulations of this type are applied by small companies, such as landscape gardeners, and the obtaining of approval from the EPA is financially prohibitive.

This results in widespread destruction of homeowners' landscaping because of the unfettered proliferation of deer in suburban areas.

Further, the prior art materials have a limited effective life and the odor of the formulation can limit its acceptance.

A further problem with the prior art compositions is that a colorant to hide their presence on the foliage is usually necessary.