Abstract: A method of treating an elongate wood member is provided, the wood member having an outer surface and a cross-section. The method includes (1) forming a plurality of holes into the outer surface of the wood member; (2) introducing a treatment composition which includes a boron-containing compound into the plurality of holes; and (3) steam treating the wood member for a duration of from about 15 minutes to about 24 hours, the steam having a temperature of from about 80° C. to about 150° C. The steam treatment causes the boron-containing compound to diffuse from the formed holes into the cross-section of the wood member.

Abstract: A method for removing hazardous air pollutants and contaminants from a wood product is disclosed. In a first step, a contaminated wood product is placed in a treatment vessel. This wood product includes an initial amount of an absorbed contaminant, selected from the group consisting of creosote, a mixture of pentachlorophenol and a carrier oil, a mixture of copper naphthenate and a carrier oil, and combinations thereof In a second step, the wood product is heated to a treatment temperature sufficient to evaporate at least a portion of the absorbed contaminant from the wood product but insufficient to pyrolyze the wood product. The wood product is then maintained at the treatment temperature for a period of time sufficient to reduce the absorbed contaminant in the wood product to a final amount which is less than about 20% of the initial amount. Optionally, the desorbed wood may then be treated with a chemical to remove inorganic impurities that are detrimental during thermochemical conversion of biomass.

Abstract: A method for removing hazardous air pollutants and contaminants from a wood product is disclosed. In a first step, a contaminated wood product is placed in a treatment vessel. This wood product includes an initial amount of an absorbed contaminant, selected from the group consisting of creosote, a mixture of pentachlorophenol and a carrier oil, a mixture of copper naphthenate and a carrier oil, and combinations thereof. In a second step, the wood product is heated to a treatment temperature sufficient to evaporate at least a portion of the absorbed contaminant from the wood product but insufficient to pyrolyze the wood product. The wood product is then maintained at the treatment temperature for a period of time sufficient to reduce the absorbed contaminant in the wood product to a final amount which is less than about 20% of the initial amount. A decontaminated wood product is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a physical and chemical formulation designed to be attractive to, and eaten by, terrestrial mollusks, specifically slugs and snails. Optionally, the formulation is also attractive to and toxic to insects. Upon being eaten and after a set delay, the invention is designed to kill such pests and in so doing remove them from the premises or environment treated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dual-action pest control formulation for controlling rodents and arthropods, the formulation including: a rodenticide; an insecticide; an optional attractant; and a carrier matrix. The present disclosure also provides a method of controlling rodents and arthropods, the method including: applying the dual action pest formulation to a target area.

Abstract: A method of treating an elongate wood member is provided, the wood member having an outer surface and a cross-section. The method includes (1) forming a plurality of holes into the outer surface of the wood member; (2) introducing a treatment composition which includes a boron-containing compound into the plurality of holes; and (3) steam treating the wood member for a duration of from about 15 minutes to about 24 hours, the steam having a temperature of from about 80° C. to about 150° C. The steam treatment causes the boron-containing compound to diffuse from the formed holes into the cross-section of the wood member.

Abstract: A crawlspace encapsulation system that enables sealing and insulating of the crawlspace while allowing for the venting of gases trapped between the ground and the sealing and insulating system. The crawlspace encapsulation system includes an insulation joist plug, one or more insulation panels, and a polymeric membrane.

Abstract: An animal control system for use in a plant to facilitate management of the trapping of animals in the plant, the system including: a plurality of animal traps located at discrete locations of the plant, each trap including an animal sensor associated with the trap for detecting an animal trapped in the trap and a transceiver in electronic communication with the animal sensor, the transceiver having an identifier unique to the trap with which it is associated; and a computer system having a plurality of computers in communication with one another for receiving and reporting information relating to conditions of the traps. The discrete locations of the traps are obtained and input into a computer processor for processing to yield a computer generated template of the plant having a template of the plant with the discrete locations of the traps.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mosquito trap which includes a mosquito trap enclosure having at least one sidewall and an interior space within the enclosure. A combination of water and biomass which is attractive to mosquitoes is located within the enclosure interior space. The trap also includes at least one entry point formed in the enclosure sidewall allowing mosquitoes to enter the enclosure. In addition, the trap includes a conduit having a first opening which is connected to the enclosure entry point and a second opening which is located within the enclosure interior space. The enclosure interior space is capable of retaining the combination of water and biomass without spillage if the enclosure is overturned.

Abstract: Preservative composition for lignocellulosic-based composites providing rapid and long-lasting protection against insect and fungal attack, in both low and high moisture environments, through the use of a combination of higher solubility and lower solubility borates. Pesticidal amounts of a lower solubility borate and a higher solubility borate are combined before or during their incorporation into a lignocellulosic-based composite. Useful low solubility borates include copper borate, zinc borate and barium metaborate. Useful high solubility borates include boric acid, boric oxide, ammonium borate and alkali metal borates such as sodium borate. Some alkaline earth metal borates, including calcium borates, calcium magnesium borates, magnesium borates and calcium sodium borates, are of intermediate solubility and may be used effectively as either a low soluble or high soluble borate depending on the combination used.

Abstract: A crawlspace encapsulation system that enables sealing and insulating of the crawlspace while allowing for the venting of gases trapped between the ground and the sealing and insulating system. The crawlspace encapsulation system includes an insulation joist plug, one or more insulation panels, and a polymeric membrane.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for killing arthropods. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method preferably includes providing a pesticide composition which includes from about 0.01 to about 0.8 percent, by weight, of a surfactant and from about 0.2 to about 15 percent, by weight, of a boron-containing component. The pesticide composition is applied to a absorbent material which is infested with arthropods, so that the pesticide composition is adsorbed by the absorbent material in an amount sufficient to kill arthropods. The arthropods contact the absorbent material and are killed by the adsorbed pesticide composition.

Abstract: An animal control system for use in a plant to facilitate management of the trapping of animals in the plant, the system including: a plurality of animal traps located at discrete locations of the plant, each trap including an animal sensor associated with the trap for detecting an animal trapped in the trap and a transceiver in electronic communication with the animal sensor, the transceiver having an identifier unique to the trap with which it is associated; and a computer system having a plurality of computers in communication with one another for receiving and reporting information relating to conditions of the traps. The discrete locations of the traps are obtained and input into a computer processor for processing to yield a computer generated template of the plant having a template of the plant with the discrete locations of the traps.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a physical and chemical formulation designed to be attractive to, and eaten by, terrestrial mollusks, specifically slugs and snails. Optionally, the formulation is also attractive to and toxic to insects. Upon being eaten and after a set delay, the invention is designed to kill such pests and in so doing remove them from the premises or environment treated.

Abstract: The specification discloses water treatments for reducing the rate of growth of algae in water bodies such as swimming pools including the steps of providing a volume of water within a man made vessel having a pH value; and dissolving an algaecidal buffer into the volume of water in an amount sufficient to reduce the rate of growth of algae in the water, wherein the algaecidal buffer comprises a borate salt which when dissolved in the water buffers the pH value of the water to a value in a range from about 6.5 to about 8.8.

Abstract: Preservative composition for lignocellulosic-based composites providing rapid and long-lasting protection against insect and fungal attack, in both low and high moisture environments, through the use of a combination of higher solubility and lower solubility borates. Pesticidal amounts of a lower solubility borate and a higher solubility borate are combined before or during their incorporation into a lignocellulosic-based composite. Useful low solubility borates include copper borate, zinc borate and barium metaborate. Useful high solubility borates include boric acid, boric oxide, ammonium borate and alkali metal borates such as sodium borate. Some alkaline earth metal borates, including calcium borates, calcium magnesium borates, magnesium borates and calcium sodium borates, are of intermediate solubility and may be used effectively as either a low soluble or high soluble borate depending on the combination used.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for treating a contaminated surface. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method preferably includes a first step of providing a cleaning composition which includes from about 0.002 to about 2 percent, by weight, of a cationic surfactant which is capable of acting as a microbial biocide and from about 0.05 to about 5 percent, by weight, of a boron-containing component which is capable of acting as both a microbial biostat and an insecticide. This cleaning composition is applied to the surface so as to substantially remove contaminants from the surface while, leaving a residual amount of the cleaning composition on the surface to act as a biostat.

Abstract: Preservative composition for lignocellulosic-based composites providing rapid and long-lasting protection against insect and fungal attack, in both low and high moisture environments, through the use of a combination of higher solubility and lower solubility borates. Pesticidal amounts of a lower solubility borate and a higher solubility borate are combined before or during their incorporation into a lignocellulosic-based composite. Useful low solubility borates includes copper borate, zinc borate and barium metaborate. Useful high solubility borates includes boric acid, boric oxide, ammonium borate and alkali metal borates such as sodium borate. Some alkaline earth metal borates, including calcium borates, are of intermediate solubility and may be used effectively as either a low soluble or high soluble borate depending on the combination used.

Abstract: The specification discloses water treatments for reducing the rate of growth of algae in water bodies such as swimming pools including the steps of providing a volume of water within a man made vessel having a pH value; and dissolving an algaecidal buffer into the volume of water in an amount sufficient to reduce the rate of growth of algae in the water, wherein the algaecidal buffer comprises a borate salt which when dissolved in the water buffers the pH value of the water to a value in a range from about 6.5 to about 8.8.

Abstract: Lignocellulosic-based woodfiber-plastic composite products containing a pesticidal amount of calcium borate is resistant to attack by wood destroying fungi and insects. The preferred calcium borates are the calcium polytriborates having a CaO:B2O3 molar ratio of about 2:3 and calcium hexaborates, having a CaO:B2O3 ratio of 1:3. Composites can be produced by combining the calcium borate with particles of the lignocellulosic material and the thermoplastic resin binder, and heating and extruding the resultant mixture through a die to form the composite product.