Insecticide strip and combination with identification ear tag

An insecticide impregnated strip configured for convenient and reliable attachment to conventional animal ear tags. The insecticide strip comprises an elongated integrally molded member having a key-hole shaped aperture formed in an upper portion thereof, enabling the elongated strip to be pendularly suspended from the ear tag. Various methods are disclosed for attaching the strip to different types of known ear tags.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insecticide carrying strip for livestock and in particular to an insecticide impregnated strip that is designed for attachment to an ear of an animal or, alternatively, to a conventional identification tag, and to the combination of an insecticide impregnated strip and an identification tag, as well as to the method for attaching an insecticide impregnated strip to an ear of an animal, or to an identification ear tag, or to a spent insecticide ear tag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known in the livestock industry to apply insecticide impregnated ear tags to livestock to control biting and nuisance flies, and other ectoparasites. To meet efficacy standards, it is generally necessary to apply an insecticide ear tag to each ear of the animal. An example of a known insecticide tag is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,834.

It is equally well known in the livestock industry to apply identification ear tags to livestock. So-called ID tags have been used not only to identify the owner of an animal, but now more commonly to identify a particular animal. ID tags therefore make it possible to not only maintain a record of the life of an individual animal, such as its history of disease, vaccination, etc., but also to enable tracking of meat from the livestock producer to the meat counter and back to the individual animal. ID tagging of livestock has thus become critically important to the regulatory control of the food supply.

Commercial ID tags are typically available in two different forms: as a two-piece tag of the type shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,834, or as a so-called one-piece tag, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,224. In each instance, the tag is installed in the ear of an animal with an applicator by creating a hole in the ear of the animal.

Recent European Union regulations requiring ID ear tags also specify that only one hole can be placed in each ear of the animal. Consequently, it is no longer permitted in Europe to install an ID tag and a separate insecticide tag in each ear of an animal. In addition, there is a growing reluctance on the part of livestock producers in general to apply two tags to one ear of an animal.

Previous attempts have been made to add an insecticide carrying component to an ID ear tag. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,327 describes a two-piece ID tag having a rectangular insecticide impregnated member that is secured to the bottom portion of the flat identification area of the tag. Optionally, a second insecticide impregnated member can be secured to the opposite side of the ID tag as well.

Long term retention of the insecticide members on the ID tag is problematic with designs of this type. Moreover, because only one side of the insecticide member is exposed, less insecticide is transferred to the animal. In addition, it is not practical with this known design to replace the insecticide member(s) in a way that will facilitate reliable retention of the replacement insecticide member(s) on the ID tag. As a result, combination tags of this type have not been widely commercialized.

A second prior art combination insecticide-ID tag is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,777, which discloses a one-piece ID tag having a separately attachable collar member, comprising an insecticide reservoir, that is wrapped around the neck portion of the ID tag. As the two ends of the collar member are designed to be adhesively secured to one another, long term retention of the insecticide reservoir on the ID tag is also clearly a problem with this known design. In addition, very limited surface area is provided on the insecticide reservoir, thus compromising the time period over which proper efficacy of the insecticide can be maintained.

A further combination tag is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,877. A first embodiment of the combination tag shown in this patent comprises a one-piece ID tag having an elongated dove-tail channel formed on the backside of the panel portion of the tag for slidingly receiving an insecticide tag member having a correspondingly-shaped attachment rib. A second embodiment shows a one-piece ID tag having a slot formed in the neck portion of the tag for receiving an enlarged arrow-shaped attachment head portion of an insecticide member. In both embodiments, long term retention of the insecticide member on the ID tag is problematic, due to the relative softness of the plastic material required for carrying insecticide, which makes it highly likely that the insecticide member will be ripped or torn from the tag when the animal rubs its head against its body or against other objects.

Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,074 shows a one-piece ID tag having a disc-shaped insecticide carrier coupled to the stem portion of the tag. The circular insecticide disk has a central hole for receiving the stem of the tag and a slot extending radially from the central hole to the outer perimeter of the disk to enable the insecticide disk to be slipped over the stem for attachment to the tag. However, as noted above, due to the relative softness of the plastic material required to carry the insecticide, it is readily apparent the illustrated circular insecticide disk is susceptible to becoming separated from the ID tag in the same manner in which it is installed; namely by the stem of the tag slipping back through the radial slot in the disk.

Consequently, there is a commercial need for an alternative solution to the conventional insecticide ear tag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above-noted problems by providing an insecticide carrying strip that is uniquely configured to be conveniently and reliably attachable to an ear of an animal, as well as to the most commonly used types of commercial ID tags.

In addition, the insecticide strip according to the present invention is designed to be pendularly suspended from the post of the male portion of an ear tag member, including the most widely used types of ID tags, so that the strip is freely pivotable about the ear tag. This feature of the present invention provides multiple advantages. Firstly, the resulting pendulous movement of the strip when secured to the ear of an animal promotes the transfer of insecticide from the strip to the animal. Secondly, the freely pendular movement reduces the likelihood of the strip, which by its nature is made from relatively soft plastic material, being ripped or torn from the animal.

Furthermore, the insecticide strip according to the present invention is designed not only to exceed retention standards, but is also conveniently replaceable without compromising the integrity of the ear tag to which it is attached. This is an important feature of the present invention as ID tags are intended, and increasingly required by applicable regulations, to remain attached to the animal for its entire life, whereas insecticide tags are designed to be replaced every 3-5 months, depending upon geographic location. In addition, for most effective control, spent insecticide tags are typically replaced with new tags containing different active ingredients to prevent the development of resistant strains of insects. Consequently, the design of the present invention contemplates frequent and convenient replacement.

Moreover, because the insecticide impregnated strip according to the present invention does not require the reapplication of an entirely new ear tag each time it is in need of replacement, as with conventional insecticide ear tags, the number of holes that are created in the ear of an animal over its lifetime is greatly reduced. This feature of the present invention can be particularly advantageous with dairy cattle which typically survive much longer than cattle raised for beef.

The present invention also contemplates the use of the insecticide strip as a component of an insecticide ear tag permitting the insecticide strip portion to be periodically replaced without the need of a conventional ear tag applicator each time the insecticide strip portion is replaced.

Finally, the present invention contemplates the use of the insecticide strip as a replacement for the spent insecticide-carrying portion of an insecticide ear tag and discloses a method for replacing the spent portion of an insecticide ear tag by attaching the insecticide strip to the remnant parts of the spent insecticide ear tag, again without the need of a conventional ear tag applicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, a perspective view of an insecticide carrying strip20according to the present invention is shown. The strip20preferably comprises an elongated substantially flat, plastic strap having rounded portions end22and24. The strip20generally defines an elongated central axis25which in turn defines the upper and lower end portions,22and24respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the strip20is injection molded as an integral member approximately 6 inches in length, 1¼ inches in width, and approximately 1/16 of an inch thick. The strip20is made of a flexible, relatively soft, polyvinyl chloride, suitable for being impregnated with an insecticide in a manner well known in the art. However, other suitable materials may be used. The resulting large surface area of the strip20enables the strip to carry a relatively large quantity of insecticide, thereby improving long term efficacy of the strip.

Formed in the upper end portion22of the strip20is a “key-hole” shaped aperture26, comprising a circular hole portion28and a downwardly extending slit portion30. Note, the strip20may be formed during the injection molding process with a thin frangible web connecting the adjoining sides of the slit portion30of aperture26.

The circular hole portion28of the aperture26is preferably centered on the axis25with the slit portion30extending downwardly along the axis25. The diameter of the hole portion28is preferably sized to be slightly larger than the diameter of the stem portion of the male button component of a standard two-piece ID tag, for the reasons described below. In addition, the length of the slit portion30is designed so that, when combined with the diameter of the hole portion28, the combined distance is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the round flange portion of the male component of a standard two-piece ID tag, for reasons also described below. As clearly shown in the drawings, however, the diameter of the circular hole portion28comprises a minor portion of the combined axial length of the aperture26. As will be appreciated from the discussion below, this feature of the key-hole shaped aperture26greatly enhances the retention characteristics of the strip20.

To help insure against tearing of the upper end portion22of the strip20adjacent the aperture26, the boundary of the key-hole shaped aperture26is completely closed and reinforced by the formation of a thickened border area32immediately surrounding the entire boundary of the aperture26. As best shown inFIG. 2, this reinforced border area32is preferably formed on both sides of the strip20so that the overall thickness of the plastic material in the border area32is approximately twice the thickness of the remainder of the strip20.

The strip20can be preferably impregnated with insecticide compounds having a variety of EPA-approved active ingredients, including without limitation, pyrethroid, permethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, ivermectin, avermectin, abamectin, milbemectin, diazinon and chlorpyrifos, or any combination thereof.

Referring now toFIGS. 3-15, various methods for attaching the present insecticide strip20to an animal will now be explained.FIG. 3illustrates an example of a widely used, commercially available two-piece ID ear tag40. The ID tag40comprises a female tag component42and a male tag component44. The female tag component42has an enlarged lower panel portion46that tapers to a relatively narrow upper neck portion48. Located on the upper neck portion48is an integrally formed locking receptacle, comprising a cylindrical boss50defining a well52and optionally containing a locking insert54. The locking insert54has a hole formed in its base that aligns with a hole in the base of the well52that extends through to the backside of the female tag component. Note, some commercially available two-piece ID tags do not include a locking insert.

The male tag component44comprises a circular flange56having an integral stem portion58projecting therefrom. Stem portion58has a circular cross-section and may be formed with a slight taper such that the diameter of the stem portion58is greatest at its base where it joins the flange56. The distal end of the stem portion58comprises an enlarged head portion60that terminates in a sharp point62.

As shown inFIGS. 4-6, the two-piece ID tag40is installed in the ear of an animal using an applicator64that drives the male tag component44to first pierce the ear65of the animal and then pass through the hole in the female tag component42until the enlarged head portion60of the stem58locks in the locking insert54, or in the well52of the female tag component42. The construction and installation of a two-piece ID ear tag of this type is more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,834, which is incorporated herein by reference.

With particular reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, the method of securing the insecticide strip20to the two-piece ID ear tag40will now be explained.

At the time of installation of the two-piece ID tag40to the ear of an animal, the insecticide strip20can be readily secured to the ID tag40by inserting the enlarged head portion60of the male tag component44through the key-hole aperture26so that the stem58resides in the circular hole portion28of the aperture26. Preferably, the diameter of the circular hole portion28of the aperture26is slightly larger than the diameter of the stem portion58of the male tag component44so that the insecticide strip20is pendularly supported on the stem58. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the size of the aperture26will expand somewhat from the substantially closed static condition shown inFIG. 1to accommodate the passage of the enlarged head portion60. The ID tag components42and44are then loaded onto the applicator64as illustrated inFIG. 4, and the two-piece ID tag40is installed in the ear of the animal in the manner described above. Hence, when the ID tag40is installed in the ear of an animal, the insecticide strip20is preferably positioned between the circular flange56and the backside of the ear65of the animal as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.

Due to the fact that the slit portion30of the aperture26remains substantially closed in the static condition of the strip20shown inFIGS. 1,3and6, the likelihood of the strip20unintentionally separating from the ear tag40is greatly diminished. In particular, the closed condition of the slit portion30, coupled with the effect of gravity, combine to confine the stem portion58of the male tag component44to the circular hole portion28of the aperture26. Consequently, because the circular flange56of the male tag component44is substantially larger than the circular hole portion28of the aperture26, it is highly unlikely that the strip20can be inadvertently manipulated to separate from the ear tag. Hence, the retention characteristics of the present insecticide strip20are greatly enhanced.

When it is time to replace the insecticide strip20on an installed ID tag40, the old strip20is cut from the ID tag40and the new replacement insecticide strip20is attached to the tag40in accordance with the procedure shown inFIGS. 7-10.

Due to the elastic nature of the insecticide strip20and the configuration of the aperture26, the aperture presents a substantially closed opening in its static condition wherein the size of the aperture opening is minimized. In this static condition, the slit portion30of the aperture26is essentially closed such that the size of the aperture opening is limited to the circular hole portion28of the aperture26. However, by grasping and pulling apart the upper end portion22of the strip20on either side of the aperture26in the direction of the arrows shown inFIG. 7, the slit portion30of the aperture26is opened, thereby substantially enlarging the aperture opening. This step also serves to break any frangible web that may have been formed during the injection molding process between the adjoining sides of the slit portion30of the aperture26. The ability to elastically enlarge the aperture26is advantageously utilized when attaching the strip20to an installed ID tag40. In particular, the key-hole aperture26in the replacement strip20is initially opened as illustrated inFIGS. 7-8. Once the aperture26has been opened, the circular flange portion56of the male tag component44is then inserted into and pushed completely through the aperture26, as shown inFIG. 9. To facilitate this procedure, the length of the slit portion30of the key-hole aperture26is designed so that, in combination with the diameter of the circular hole portion28, the length of the combined opening is preferably approximately equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the circular flange portion56of the male tag component44of the ID tag40. Because the insecticide strip20is made from a relatively soft polyvinyl chloride, the plastic material is sufficiently flexible to enable the strip to pass relatively easily over the flange56of the male tag component44. In addition, the reinforced boundary32surrounding the aperture26insures against tearing of the insecticide strip20during this procedure. Once installed over the circular flange56of the male tag component44, the insecticide strip20is pulled downward until the stem58of the ID tag40is positioned in the circular hole portion28of the aperture26. Due to the inherent resiliency in the material of the insecticide strip20, once the stem58is located in the circular hole portion28, the aperture26will return to its closed static condition, wherein the slit portion30is substantially closed. Moreover, once the stem58is positioned in the circular hole portion28, the reinforced key-hole configuration of the aperture26will act to retain the stem58in this position. Thus, even though the overall size of the aperture26, when opened, is sufficient to accommodate the passage of the circular flange portion56of the male tag component44, the key-hole configuration of the aperture26makes it highly unlikely that the strip20, once attached, can be inadvertently manipulated and separated from the ear tag40. This is due in part to the fact that the slit portion30, when opened, comprises the majority portion of the aperture opening. Additionally, it will be appreciated that by completely closing the entire boundary of the aperture26, the aperture26is better able to remain in its closed static condition once attached to the ear tag, thereby greatly enhancing the retention characteristics of the present insecticide strip20.

It will further be appreciated that the method described above for replacing an insecticide strip20on an installed two-piece ID tag40can also be used during initial installation of the ID tag on an animal. In other words, the process illustrated inFIGS. 7-10can alternatively be employed following initial installation of the ID tag to secure the insecticide strip20to the ID tag40, rather than using the process described in connection withFIG. 4, if desired.

Thus, once properly installed, the insecticide strip20according to the present invention is securely retained on the ID ear tag40for the useful life of the insecticide strip. Moreover, because the circular hole portion28of the key-hole aperture26in the strip20is designed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the stem58of the male component44of the ID tag40, the strip20is pendularly suspended from the ID tag40, thereby enabling the strip20to freely pivot about the stem58of the ID tag40. The ability of the strip20to freely pivot about the stem58of the ID tag40significantly enhances the long-term retention characteristics of the strip20by reducing the likelihood of the strip20being torn from the ID tag when the animal rubs its head against its body or other objects. In addition, the pendular movement of the strip20also enhances the transfer of insecticide from the strip20to the body of the animal.

Turning now toFIG. 11an alternative type of commercially available two-piece ID tag70is shown.

The two-piece ID tag70shown inFIG. 11is designed to provide a fully visible panel portion on both sides of an animal's ear. Consequently, whereas the female tag component72of the ID tag70is essentially identical to the female tag component42of the ID tag40shown inFIG. 3, the male tag component74is also formed with an enlarged lower panel portion76′ similar to the panel portion76of the female tag component72. In other words, instead of a circular flange, the integral stem portion78of the male tag component74projects from a relatively narrow upper neck portion75′ that tapers outwardly to the lower panel portion76′. As a result, the planar profile of the male74and female72tag components of this type of two-piece ID tag70are substantially identical in appearance.

During initial installation of a two-panel ID tag70of this type, an insecticide strip20according to the present invention can be secured to the ID tag70using the same procedure described above in connection withFIG. 4.

Alternatively, and also when necessary to replace an old insecticide strip, the process illustrated inFIGS. 12-15may be used to secure an insecticide strip to a two-panel ID tag70. Firstly, the panel portion76or76′ of either the female72or the male74tag component is “rolled” into a substantially cylindrical shape as shown inFIG. 12. The key-hole shaped aperture26of the insecticide strip20is pulled open and the rolled panel portion76is then inserted into the aperture26. As noted above, the reinforced boundary32surrounding the aperture26insures against tearing of the insecticide strip20during this procedure. Due to the inherent resiliency of the plastic, once the rolled panel portion76is fully inserted through the aperture26, the panel76will naturally return to its original flat shape, as shown inFIG. 13. Finally, the key-hole shaped aperture is passed over the upper neck portion75of the ID tag70and then the insecticide strip20is pulled downward until the stem78is positioned in the circular hole portion28of the aperture26.

As best shown inFIG. 15, the length of the insecticide strip20according to the present invention is preferably substantially greater than the length of a typical commercially available ID tag. Consequently, even when secured to a two-panel ID tag70of the type shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, a substantial portion of the strip20extends below the ID tag, thereby exposing a large surface area of the strip20to insure proper transfer of the insecticide to the animal.

Turning now toFIG. 16, an example of a commercially available one-piece ID tag80is shown. One-piece ID tag80corresponds to the tag illustrated and described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/204,030, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is incorporated herein by reference. As more fully described therein, one-piece ID tag80comprises a lower panel portion82that tapers to a relatively narrow upper neck portion84. Projecting transversely from the upper neck portion84is an integral stem portion86that terminates at its distal end in a sharp point88. A plurality of radially extending barbs90project from the stem portion86immediately aft of the pointed end88. The radially extending barbs90are designed to resiliently fold inwardly toward the stem86during installation and then spring outwardly to their original positions after the pointed distal end portion88of the tag has pierced through the ear65of the animal, to thereby secure the tag to the animal.

Preferably, the insecticide strip20according to the present invention is secured to the one-piece ID tag80in the same manner as that described above in connection with the two-panel ID tag70. In particular, as shown inFIG. 17, the panel portion82of the one-piece tag80is initially rolled into a cylindrical shape and then inserted into the opened key-holed shaped aperture26in the strip20. Once pulled completely past the panel portion82, the aperture26is then passed over the top of the upper neck portion84and then the strip20is pulled downward until the stem86of the tag is positioned in the circular hole portion28of the aperture26, as shown inFIG. 18. Note, because the diameter of the stem86of the one-piece ID tag80is substantially equivalent to the diameter of the stems58,78of the aforementioned two-piece ID tags40,70, the attached strip20is pendularly suspended from the stem86of the tag80in the same manner described above with respect to the two-piece ID tags.

Note also, when the insecticide strip20is secured to the one-piece ID tag80in the manner described, the strip20resides between the panel portion82of the tag and the backside of the ear of the animal, as illustrated inFIG. 18. For most commercially available one-piece ID tags, the positioning of the insecticide strip20in this manner is preferred to insure proper retention for the useful life of the strip20.

Referring now toFIGS. 19-20, an insecticide ear tag100comprising the insecticide strip20according to the present invention is shown. The insecticide ear tag100comprises three components: the insecticide strip20shown inFIG. 1, a male tag component44′ corresponding to the male tag component44shown inFIG. 3, and a female tag component102. Female tag component102has a circular flange104, comparable to the circular flange56′ on the male tag component44′. Centrally located on the circular flange104is an integrally formed cylindrical boss106defining a well108having a hole formed in its base that extends through to the backside of the circular flange104. As with the female tag component42shown inFIG. 3, female tag component102may optionally include a locking insert110, similar to locking insert54, disposed in the well108.

The insecticide ear tag100including the insecticide strip20, can be installed in the ear of an animal using either of the two alternative procedures described above with reference to the attachment of the insecticide strip20to the two-piece ID tag40shown inFIG. 3. In particular, in a first alternative process, the insecticide strip20is attached to the male tag component44′ by inserting the enlarged head portion60′ of the male tag component44′ through the key-hole aperture26in the insecticide strip20so that the stem58′ resides in the circular hole portion28of the aperture26. The male44′ and female102tag components are then loaded onto the applicator64referenced above, for installation into the ear65of the animal. Specifically, in the same manner described above, the insecticide ear tag100is installed in the ear of the animal using the applicator64to drive the male tag component44′ to first pierce the ear65of the animal and then pass through the hole in the female tag component102until the enlarged head portion60′ locks in the locking insert110or in the well108of the female tag component102.

Alternatively, and also when replacing an old insecticide strip with a new insecticide strip, the key-hole aperture26in the insecticide strip20can be opened and passed over the circular flange56′,104of either the male or female tag components44′,102of a previously installed male44′ and female102ear tag combination. Once installed over one of the circular flanges56′,104, the insecticide strip20is then pulled downward until the stem58′ of the male tag component44′ is positioned in the circular hole portion28of the aperture26, in the same manner as described in connection withFIGS. 9-10.

Using either of the above-described installation methods, it is preferable for the insecticide strip20to be positioned behind the ear65of the animal, as shown and described above in connection withFIG. 6. Positioning of the insecticide strip20behind the ear of the animal improves the retention characteristics of the insecticide strip20.

Advantageously, and unlike a conventional insecticide ear tag, the insecticide strip20of the present insecticide tag100can be removed and readily replaced multiple times without the need of an applicator64each time the insecticide strip20is replaced. In other words, the male44′ and female102ear tag component combination, once installed in the ear of an animal can remain in place, similar to a conventional two-piece ID tag40, and the insecticide strip20replaced as needed in the manner described above.

Turning now toFIGS. 21-24, a method of replacing the spent insecticide-carrying portion of an insecticide ear tag according to the present invention is shown. Referring toFIG. 21, a widely used commercially available two-piece insecticide ear tag140is shown. Similar to the ID tag40illustrated inFIG. 3, the insecticide tag140comprises a female tag component142and a male tag component144. The female tag component142has an enlarged lower panel portion146that tapers to a relatively narrow upper neck portion148. Located on the upper neck portion148is an integrally formed locking receptacle, comprising a cylindrical boss150defining a well152containing a locking insert154. The locking insert154has a hole formed in its base that aligns with a hole in the base of the well152that extends through to the backside of the female tag component.

Unlike the conventional two-piece ID tag40, the female tag component142of an insecticide ear tag140is typically made of a relatively soft, polyvinyl chloride, suitable for being impregnated in the panel portion thereof146with an insecticide compound in a manner well known in the art.

The male tag component144comprises a circular flange156having an integral stem portion158projecting therefrom. Stem portion158has a circular cross-section and may be formed with a slight taper such that the diameter of the stem portion158is greatest at its base where it joins the flange156. The distal end of the stem portion158comprises an enlarged head portion160that terminates in a sharp point162.

Similar to the two-piece ID tag40, the two-piece insecticide tag140is installed in the ear65of an animal using an applicator64that drives the male tag component144to first pierce the ear65of the animal and then pass through the hole in the female tag component142until the enlarged head portion160of the stem158locks in the locking insert154in the well152of the female tag component142. The construction and installation of a two-piece insecticide ear tag140of this type is more fully described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,834, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 22illustrates an insecticide ear tag140installed in the ear65of an animal. As noted above, the panel portion of the tag140is impregnated with an insecticide compound that migrates over the skin of the animal as the animal rubs its head on its body. Conventional insecticide ear tags are typically effective in controlling pests for a period of between 3-5 months, after which time they need to be replaced. In general, when replacing an insecticide tag, it is desirable to switch to a tag having a different active insecticide ingredient to prevent the development of drug resistance in local pest populations.

Utilizing the teachings of the present invention, the insecticide-carrying portion of a conventional insecticide ear tag140can be replaced by first removing the panel portion146of the female tag component142by cutting the tag at the base of the neck portion148as shown inFIG. 23at170. Thereafter, a new insecticide strip20according to the present invention, impregnated with a suitably different insecticide compound, is installed over the circular flange156portion of the tag following the procedure described above in connection withFIGS. 7-10. Optionally, the insecticide strip20may be attached to the remnant ear tag by passing the upper neck portion148of the ear tag140through the aperture26in the strip20. However, because the male tag portion144of the ear tag140, including the circular flange156, is typically made from a more rigid plastic material than the female tag portion142, it is preferable to position the strip20between the male flange portion156and the ear of the animal. Note, it is desirable to remove the insecticide-carrying panel portion146of the spent insecticide tag140so that the residual insecticide compound contained therein does not interfere with the new insecticide compound contained in the replacement insecticide strip20.

Thus, once properly installed, the insecticide strip20is securely retained on the remnant portions of the insecticide ear tag140in the same manner as described above in connection with ID ear tag40. In particular, once the strip20is manipulated over the circular flange156, the stem158of the male tag component144is positioned in the circular hole28portion of the aperture26so that the insecticide strip20is pendularly suspended from the ear tag140. Preferably, the insecticide strip20is positioned on the backside of the animal's ear65, as shown inFIG. 24, to enhance the retention characteristics of the strip20.

Referring now toFIGS. 25 and 26, an alternative embodiment of an insecticide strip200according to the present invention is shown. The strip200preferably comprises an elongated substantially flat, plastic strap having a rounded lower end portion224and a generally rectangular-shaped upper end portion222. The strip200generally defines an elongated central axis225which in turn defines the upper and lower end portions,222and224respectively. In this alternative preferred embodiment, the strip200is injection molded as an integral member approximately 6 inches in length, 1¼ inches in width along its majority length, and approximately 1/16 of an inch thick. The strip200is made of a flexible, relatively soft, polyvinyl chloride, suitable for being impregnated with an insecticide in a manner well known in the art. However, other suitable materials may be used. The resulting large surface area of the strip200enables the strip to carry a relatively large quantity of insecticide, thereby improving long term efficacy of the strip.

The upper end portion222shown in this embodiment is slightly wider than the width of the remainder of the strip200, although the strip200may alternatively have a uniform width. In addition, the upper end portion222may alternatively be configured with more rounded sides so as to form a generally oval shape.

Formed in the upper end portion222of the strip200is a “key-hole” shaped aperture226, comprising a central circular hole portion228and laterally extending slit portions230that project from opposite sides of the circular hole portion228. Note, the strip200may be formed during the injection molding process with thin frangible webs connecting the adjoining sides of the slit portions230of the aperture226. The circular hole portion228of the aperture226is preferably centered on the axis225with the slit portions230extending transversely to the axis225. The diameter of the hole portion228is preferably sized to be slightly larger than the diameter of the stem portion of the male button component of a standard two-piece ID tag, for the reasons described below. In addition, the overall length of the slit portions230is designed so that, when combined with the diameter of the hole portion228, the combined distance is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the round flange portion of the male component of a standard two-piece ID tag, for reasons also described below.

To help insure against tearing of the upper end portion222of the strip200adjacent the aperture226, the boundary of the key-hole shaped aperture226is completely closed and reinforced by the formation of a thickened border area232immediately surrounding the entire boundary of the aperture226. As best shown inFIG. 22, this reinforced border area232is preferably formed on both sides of the strip200so that the overall thickness of the plastic material in the border area232is approximately twice the thickness of the remainder of the strip200.

The strip200can be preferably impregnated with insecticide compounds having a variety of EPA-approved active ingredients, including without limitation, pyrethroid, permethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, ivermectin, avermectin, abamectin, milbemectin, diazinon and chlorpyrifos, or any combination thereof.

As will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the alternative embodiment of the insecticide strip200shown inFIGS. 21 and 22can be attached to an ear of an animal utilizing any of the various means described above in connection with the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. In this instance, however, the step of enlarging the aperture opening illustrated inFIG. 7is accomplished by grasping the upper end portion222of the strip200above and below the aperture226and pulling apart in a direction generally parallel to the axis225. In a similar fashion, this step also serves to break any frangible webs that may have formed during the injection molding process between the adjoining sides of the slit portions230of the aperture226. In addition, once the strip200is installed over the circular flange portion56of the male tag component44of a two-piece ID tag40, or over the upper neck portion84of a one-piece ID tag80, the insecticide strip200is moved laterally until the stem58,86is positioned in the circular hole portion228of the aperture226.

Due to the elastic nature of the insecticide strip material, once the stem58,86is positioned in the circular hole portion228, the aperture226will return to its static closed condition, thereby serving to retain the stem58,86in the circular hole portion228of the aperture226. Moreover, as with the first embodiment, the key-hole shaped aperture226in strip200is configured so that the diameter of the hole portion228comprises a minor portion of the overall length of the aperture226, which greatly enhances the retention characteristics of the strip200.

Thus, once properly installed, the insecticide strip200according to the present invention is securely retained on the ID ear tag40,80for the useful life of the insecticide strip. Moreover, because the circular hole portion228of the key-hole aperture226in the strip200is designed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the stem58,86of the ID ear tag40,80, the strip200is pendularly suspended from the ID tag40,80, thereby enabling the strip200to freely pivot about the stem58,86of the ID tag40,80. The ability of the strip200to freely pivot about the stem58,86of the ID tag40,80, together with the reinforced boundary232which completely surrounds and encloses the aperture226, significantly enhances the long-term retention characteristics of the strip200by reducing the likelihood of the strip200being torn from the ID tag when the animal rubs its head against its body or other objects. In addition, the pendular movement of the strip200also enhances the transfer of insecticide from the strip200to the body of the animal.