Foamable pesticide compositions
Ready-to-use foamable pesticide compositions that contain a particulate pesticide suspended therein and applicators for dispensing such compositions. Methods for treating pests such as arthropods by contacting pests with such compositions are also provided.
1. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition comprising:
a diluent;
particulate fipronil suspended in the diluent;
a thickening agent; and
a surfactant system comprising potassium coconut fatty acid and an alpha olefin sulfonate.
2. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of bentonite clay, xanthan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, alginin, gum tragacanth and sodium alginate.
3. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the thickening agent is xanthan gum.
4. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 comprising a foam stabilizer.
5. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 4 wherein the thickening agent is also the foam stabilizer.
6. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the composition is capable of remaining in a foam phase for less than about 2 minutes after application.
7. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the diluent is water.
8. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the composition comprises at least about 0.005% by weight particulate fipronil.
9. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the average nominal diameter of the particulate fipronil is less than about 50 μm.
10. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the composition comprises a propellant and the total amount of propellants in the pesticide composition is at least about 1% by weight of the composition.
11. A ready-to-use foamable pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the composition is not an emulsion.