Abstract:
A fossorial animal control product and related methods are disclosed herein. The fossorial animal control product is a non-toxic and biodegradable super absorbent polymer combined with a compost agent. The fossorial animal control product is disposed in a fossorial animal burrow. When hydrated and allowed a sufficient amount time to expand, the fossorial animal control product obstructs the entrance to the burrow, a portion of the burrow or substantially fully obstructs burrow. The fossorial animal control product releases water and nutrients over time within the burrow. This assists flora proximate to the burrow that were damaged by fossorial animal activity to recover. Use of the fossorial animal control product also fills ground surface voids created by fossorial animals thus reducing trip hazards commonly encountered in playgrounds or sporting facilities.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional application which takes benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/316,558 filed Mar. 23, 2010 to the instant inventor. The aforementioned provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     Not Applicable 
     RELEVANT FIELD 
     This application is directed generally toward fossorial animal control and more specifically toward a water activated obstruction formed within a burrow of the fossorial animal. 
     RELEVANT ART OVERVIEW 
     Fossorial animals for example, gophers, moles, rabbits, ground squirrels, skunks, prairie dogs, ground hogs, etc. create subterranean burrows which present trip hazards in school yards and athletic fields. In some instances, fossorial animals may also feed upon flora extending within the burrow or in proximity thereto. These feeding habits may damage or kill the flora thus resulting in significant time and expense to remove, replace and replant suitable flora. In a commercial context, this could mean the difference between a commercially successful enterprise and economic collapse particularly when replacement flora requires years before commercial crop production become available. 
     Current fossorial animal control methods include trapping, fumigation and poisoning of the animals. Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages with poisoning being the least desirable as society moves away from toxic measures for animal control. However, none of these methods address the burrow left behind by the fossorial animal. The vacant burrow is subject to repopulation, collapse and remains a trip hazard to both people and domestic animals. Accordingly, there is a need in the relevant art to provide a method which both displaces the fossorial animal from its burrow and refills the burrow to minimize collapse and trip hazards. 
     The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing, various exemplary embodiments of a fossorial animal control product and method of use are described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a super absorbent polymer having non-toxic and biodegradable properties is provided for application within a burrow of the fossorial animal. In an exemplary embodiment, the super absorbent polymer is a starch based polymer cross-linked with an alkali metal, typically potassium. Upon absorption of water, the super absorbent polymer expands 300-700 times from its original size forming a viscous gelatinous plug within the burrow. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the viscous property of the gelatinous plug adheres to the fur or skin of the fossorial animal which is an annoyance and hindrance to animals that discourages their attempts to reclaim the burrow filled with the super absorbent polymer. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the super absorbent polymer is dry mixed in a granular form with a water soluble compost agent. When hydrated, the compost agent forms a nutrient solution absorbable by the super absorbent polymer. A portion of the nutrient solution becomes absorbed into the gelatinous matrix during hydration and is released over time due to biodegradation of the gelatinous matrix. The unabsorbed nutrients from the compost agent are immediately bioavailable to flora to assist in recovery from damage caused by the fossorial animal(s). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the fossorial animal control product described above may be used by simply disposing an effective amount of the fossorial animal control product within an entrance of the burrow followed by application of a quantity of water and allowing a sufficient amount of time for the fossorial animal control product to absorb at least a portion of the water to form a gelatinous matrix which plugs at least the entrance of the burrow or alternately, premixing an effective amount of the fossorial animal control product with water to form a slurry which is then poured into the entrance of the burrow. The plug which forms from the expanded super absorbent polymer provides a physical barrier which obstructs the entrance of the burrow and discourages fossorial animals from repopulating the burrow. The plug also serves to minimize trip hazards and the potential of the burrow collapsing. Nutrients and water released due to biodegradation of the super absorbent polymer assists flora in recovery from damage produced by fossorial animal activity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals and characters are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the inventive embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described exemplary embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the inventive embodiments described herein and as is defined by the claims. 
       FIG.  1 —depicts an unobstructed fossorial animal burrow in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG.  1 A—depicts a partially obstructed fossorial animal burrow in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG.  1 B—depicts a fully obstructed fossorial animal burrow in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG.  2 —depicts a flow chart of a method for treating a fossorial animal burrow in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various exemplary embodiments of a fossorial animal control product and method of use are described herein. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present inventive embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present inventive embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures, devices or compositions may be shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present inventive embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  an exemplary unobstructed fossorial animal burrow  10  is depicted. A ground surface  5  is interrupted by two entrances  15 ,  15 ′ in which a fossorial animal may access/egress the burrow  10 . Flora  25  in which the fossorial animal may be feeding upon is shown extending into the burrow  10 . The burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′ may represent a trip hazard to persons or domesticated animals traversing the ground surface  5 . 
     A typical burrow  10  of a fossorial animal such as gopher includes tunnels and one or more chambers in which the animal may reside. Depending on the type of fossorial animal, the size, shape, depth and lateral extent of the burrow  10  will vary. Accordingly, traditional control methods may require multiple attempts at dislodging or eradicating a fossorial animal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , an exemplary partially obstructed fossorial animal burrow  10  is depicted. In this exemplary embodiment, identified entrances  15 ,  15 ′ into the burrow  10  are treated with a fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′. The fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ comprises a super absorbent polymer which when hydrated expands to volumetrically fill the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′, thus preventing the fossorial animal from accessing and/or egressing the burrow  10 . The fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ is typically provided in a granular form which may be directly poured into the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′ and hydrated using water supplied by a garden hose or other water source. 
     In an alternate exemplary embodiment, a quantity of fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ may be pretreated with water in a separate container such as bucket to form a slurry which is then poured into the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′. Once the slurry is disposed in the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′, additional water may be added to fully expand the super absorbent polymer contained in the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ to volumetrically fill the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′. The quantity of super absorbent polymer  20 ,  20 ′ required to volumetrically fill the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′ will vary depending on the diameter of the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′, slope of the burrow  10  and mineral content of the water used to hydrate the super absorbent polymer contained in the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′. 
     A “typical” treatment using the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ for a burrowing rodent (e.g., ground squirrel or gopher) is at least 225 grams per burrow entrance  15 ,  15 ′. In a preferred embodiment, the super absorbent polymer contained in the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ is a hydro gel formed from Starch-g-poly (2-propenamide-co-propenoic acid cross-linked with potassium.) The super absorbent polymer forms a gelatinous matrix during hydration which swells anywhere from 300-700 times its dehydrated size and plugs the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′, thus discouraging burrow repopulation and also eliminating the trip hazards of the open burrow entrances. The absorption properties of the super absorbent polymer vary considerably depending on the mineral content of the water used to hydrate the polymer; however, absorption of about 1000:1 by weight is typical. Accordingly, to fully hydrate a gram of super absorbent polymer, at least 50 milliliters of water may be required. In practice, the quantity of water required may be less depending on the volume of the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′to be obstructed. 
     The gelatinous matrix includes a viscous property which adheres to the fur and/or skin of the animal. The adhered gelatinous material is both an annoyance and hindrance to the animal which discourages the animal from attempting to reclaim the burrow plugged with the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′. The adhered gelatinous material interferes with the animal&#39;s natural burrowing actions by disturbing its nap of fur and allows soil/debris to adhere to the fur which is difficult for the animal to remove. 
     The super absorbent polymer contained in the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ is non-toxic and slowly biodegrades, releasing water which becomes bioavailable to flora  25  in proximity to the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′. The super absorbent polymer is commercially available from Absorbent Technologies, Inc., 8705 SW Nimbus Avenue, Beaverton, Oreg. 97008 and sold under the trade name of ZEBA®. Alternately, other polyacrylamide/polyacrylate copolymer salts may be substituted for Starch-g-poly preferably cross-linked with potassium or ammonium rather than sodium. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ is dry mixed with granulated compost in a volumetric ratio of about two parts super absorbent polymer to one part granulated compost. The addition of granulated compost provides immediate and time released nutrients to flora  25  which allows for a more rapid recovery from root damage caused by certain fossorial animals (e.g., gophers). The granulated compost is at least partially water soluble which allows a portion of a nutrient solution to be absorbed into the super absorbent polymer and released over time along with water as the super absorbent polymer biodegrades within the burrow  10 . The granulated compost may be obtained from a variety of commercial vendors, for example, 
     Natural Nutrient Solutions, P.O. Box 140818 Garden City, Id. 83714 and marketed under the trade name of Poopeas™. The combination of super absorbent polymer and compost agent assists injured flora to recover more rapidly by providing nutrients and hydration to a potentially compromised root system. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, an annoyance odorant may be added to the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ to further discourage attempts by animals to repopulate the burrow  10 . For example, peppermint is known to be an unpleasant odor to gophers. Accordingly, addition of trace concentrations of peppermint oil or other odorants may be added to the fossorial animal control product  20 ,  20 ′ in order to repel and/or discourage attempts by animals to repopulate the burrow  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , an exemplary fully obstructed fossorial animal burrow  10  is depicted. In this exemplary embodiment, identified entrances  15 ,  15 ′ and the entire burrow  10  are treated with the fossorial animal control product  20 . This exemplary embodiment requires a sufficient quantity of the fossorial animal control product  20  to volumetrically fill the entire burrow and/or substantial portions thereof. There are several advantages to implementing this exemplary embodiment. For example, by volumetrically filling the entire burrow  10 , fossorial animals are unable to repopulate the burrow  10  by simply digging around the gelatinous plugs formed at the burrow entrances  15 ,  15 ′ as discussed above. 
     Another advantage of fully occluding the fossorial animal burrow  10  is the fossorial animal control product  20  provides structural support to the former burrow  10  which minimizes the chances of the burrow  10  collapsing. A third advantage of fully occluding the fossorial animal burrow  10  is that water and nutrients are made bioavailable to flora  25  in proximity to the entire area of the burrow  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary flow chart of a method  200  for treating a fossorial animal burrow  10  is depicted. The method  200  starts  205  at block  210  by optionally preparing a slurry of the fossorial animal control product  20  in a separate container (e.g., bucket). The slurry of the partially hydrated fossorial animal control product  20  may be then be poured from the container directly into the burrow entrance(s)  15 ,  15 ′ ( FIG. 1 ). The separate container should be suitable for disposing of the slurry into a burrow entrance of the fossorial animal  215 . 
     At block  220  an effective amount of the fossorial animal control product  20  is disposed within the entrance(s) of the burrow  15 ,  15 ′. The effective amount is at least 225 grams per burrow entrance  225 . At block  230 , the disposed fossorial animal control product  20  is hydrated by application of a quantity of water. The quantity of water required is highly variable but generally will require at least 50 milliliters of water per gram of fossorial animal control product  235 . 
     At block  240 , a sufficient amount of time is allowed for the fossorial animal control product  20  to absorb the applied water to form a gelatinous plug at least at entrance(s) of the burrow  15 ,  15 ′. The sufficient amount of time is approximately 15-30 minutes  245  for volumetric expansion of the super absorbent polymer contained in the fossorial animal control product  20 . At decision block  250 , a user determines whether additional fossorial animal control product  20  is required. For example, if at least the entrance(s)  15 ,  15 ′ of the burrow  10  remains at least partially unobstructed, additional fossorial animal control product  20  may be disposed and steps  220 - 250  (optionally  210 ) repeated until at least the entrance(s)  15 ,  15 ′ of the burrow  10  are fully obstructed. Once at least the entrance(s)  15 ,  15 ′ of the burrow  10  are fully obstructed, the method is completed  260 . 
     The various exemplary inventive embodiments described herein are intended to be merely illustrative of the principles underlying the inventive concept. It is therefore contemplated that various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will without departing from the inventive spirit and scope be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. They are not intended to limit the various exemplary inventive embodiments to any precise form, mixture ratio or application sequence described. In particular, different super absorbent polymers, compost agents, treatment times and/or quantities may vary from those described herein. No specific limitation is intended to the operating sequences described herein. Other variations and inventive embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings, and it is not intended that the inventive scope be limited by this specification, but rather by the Claims following herein.