Abstract:
A method and device for distributing and containing ant bait that provides a dry environment and prolongs its effectiveness through a temporarily reusable device.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The Ring of Fire is a formed plastic housing device with a “donut” style shape that contains a prefilled commercial produced ant bait. The device can be used on multiple ant locations until bait is depleted. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is well known that commercial fire ant baits are rendered useless when water comes in contact with the bait. This device is designed to shed water from rain and irrigation systems keeping the bait inside dry. 
     This device allows for a “non-human contact” solution for fire ant bait distribution. 
     SUMMARY 
     This device has a “peel off” barrier on the bottom that allows the ant bait to stay contained inside. Once removed, a ⅛″ gap between the upper and lower “shell” is exposed allowing ants to enter the device and carry the bait back to the mound. 
     The device contains enough bait for multiple applications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the insect bait application device showing upper and lower portions; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the assembled insect bait application device; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the device  100  that shows a molded upper portion  102  and lower  104  portion that form a housing  105  of an insect bait application device  100 . The upper portion  102  is a “concave” upper shell with a downward center protrusion  106 . The lower portion  104  is a “concave” lower shell that may be slightly smaller in the outer diameter and have an upward center protrusion  108 . The upward center protrusion  108 , which may be about ¼ inch larger, slides over the downward center protrusion  106 . When the upper  102  and lower portions  104  are assembled together, they create a hollow “donut” shape housing  105  (i.e., toroidal) that contains the insect bait  116  inside. When assembled, the housing  105  defines an inner sidewall comprised of the upward and downward center protrusions  106  and  108 , that define the center aperture  110 . There may be a ⅛ inch offset gap  118  extending in concentric relation along the inner sidewall between the two center protrusions  106  and  108  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The downward center protrusion  106  extends over the upper center protrusion  108  that allows insects (e.g., ants) to enter and exit the device  100 , while retaining the ability to shed water off the device  100 , allowing the bait  116  to remain dry. 
     The device  100  may be made in various sizes, shapes and colors, but most commonly uses a 5 inch over all diameter, 1 ½ inch height profile and a 2 inch center aperture  110 . 
     The device  100  may be constructed from 015 to 040 vacuum form plastics. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show the upper and lower portions  102  and  104  assembled together to form the hollow “donut” shaped housing  105  described above and having the inner sidewall defining the center aperture  110 . The housing  105  is configured to store insect bait therein. As shown in  FIG. 3 , when assembled, the inner sidewall has an upper portion (i.e., the downward center protrusion  106 ) that extends over a lower portion (i.e., the upward center protrusion  108 ) of the inner sidewall to define the offset gap  118 . 
     The device  100  may also include a removable cover  112  having a peel off tab  114  that fits inside of the upward center protrusion  108  and adheres to the bottom of the downward center protrusion  106 . This is to contain the bait  116  during transport and until it is ready to be used.