PEST CONTROL COMPOSITION, METHODS FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING THEREOF, AND USE THEREOF IN PEST CONTROL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a pest control composition and to methods for producing and applying the pest control composition. The pest control composition is particularly adapted for controlling pests having sucking, sucking-licking, chewing or piercing mouthparts, for example, flies. The invention also relates to such a use.

BACKGROUND ART

Flies living in our environment are transmitters of pathogens due to their behaviour, posing simultaneously a public health and veterinary risk, while in large numbers they disturb both humans and livestock. Therefore, their control, protection against them is essential.

One of the most dangerous infections occurring in dairy-farms is Staphylococcus- induced mastitis. The infection by Staphylococcus aureus places a load on the immune system, reducing the resistance of cows against other diseases. Persistently infected cows significantly increase the costs of producing high-quality milk in the long run. The best-known transmitters of this infection are flies. The larger the number of persistently infected animals, the more difficult and time consuming is the disinfestation operation. In the modern world, one of the most important elements of prevention is the control of flies.

Several different methods are available for fly control, which are motivated by the many different types and biological diversity of flies, and the widely different conditions of the target areas to be disinfested. From the aspect of fly control, the most important factors are the food consumed by the given species, feeding habits, and differences of habitats and breeding locations. Although in the immediate vicinity of human settlements the most abundant and best-known species is the houselfy, making up 90-95% of flies living around houses, in livestock and food industries stable and synanthropic flies occur most frequently. Flesh flies, blow flies, and bottle flies are found primarily in meat and poultry industry, in livestock units, in slaughterhouses, and in outdoor markets. Though they have different behaviour, it can be observed that the eradication of one species gives way to the increased proliferation of other species, and therefore it is expedient to change control methods frequently. The length of the grow-up cycle of flies is usually a few weeks, but it also may shorten to 8-10 days. The rapid succession of generations can speed up the evolution of resistance. Flies are a major source of infections, functioning as mechanical vectors (transmitters) of pathogens, as they can transmit the pathogens of several human and veterinary diseases. The most important ways of pathogen transmission are:

1. mechanical transmission on integument - viruses, bacteria and protozoa stick especially easily to the double suction cups (pulvilli) at the end of the legs, but smaller particles - due to their high viscosity, primarily particles of manure of pigs, poultry, etc. - can also stick to the surface of the body.

2. with feces - certain pathogens pass through the digestive tract of flies retaining their invectiveness. Flies defecate approximately 20 times a day.

3. by regurgitation - together with the liquid "vomit" ejected by the fly in order to liquefy solid food, pathogens can be transmitted from the fly's digestive tract to food.

A number of environmentally friendly fly control compositions are known, since in addition to being a nuisance, the presence of flies is also dangerous. It is dangerous because flies spread diseases, it is unhygienic because flies foul food and cause economic losses because disturbed livestock gain weight slower and their milk production is reduced.

Besides, flies are extremely reproductive, with females laying a very large number of eggs - as many as 500 - in a very short time, and with their reproduction cycle also being extremely short. The control of flies is a very important task for public hygiene, public health, as well as for the economy.

Flies are public health pests. Authorised fly control compositions have been introduced only in recent years.

The economic benefits of fly control are related mostly to industrial livestock production and the operation of industrial livestock units. Hungary has a large number of fly species (Lucillia sericata, Calliphora vicina, Sarcophaga carnaria, Fannia canicularis, Muscina stabulans, Piophila casei, Drosophila melanogaster) having different prevalence and posing very different health risks.

Fly management and control is attached specific importance in the public health systems of almost every country in the world, and therefore flies are actively fought against in hospitals, kitchens, and food processing plants. This heightened attention is not only due to the extremely high reproductivity of the housefly but also to the risk of infection posed by its feeding and defecating habits.

In livestock, even more serious diseases may be spread by flies: among others, flies are responsible for spreading Spongiform encephalopathy and certain stomach-worms. In the fly-larva disease called myiasis, larvae developing from eggs laid in open wounds or on the edges of mucous membranes eat their way into healthy tissues.

According to known solutions, protection against flies could only be provided applying multiple methods at the same time. These methods comprised the application of insect nets, light traps, different types of curtains, traditional flypaper, fly killing granules, the treatment of manure, frequent waste haul-away, etc., which could only be complemented by spraying carried out around the outside of doors and windows.

However, the most frequently applied fly control methods are chemical.

• Insecticide can be evaporated into the air by heating impregnated plates.

Taking advantage of the repellent property of the insecticide agent, this method is primarily for repelling flies, or for stunning flies straying in the protected area. The process can be performed easily, but only in small- volume rooms, and thus it is primarily suitable for household use. Although no protective gear is required, it is not advised to stay for a long time in the room where the insecticide is applied.

• In case of fumigation, the air is filled with smoke carrying pesticide. After the smoke eases off, the insecticide is no longer effective. The room can soon be used again after ventilation and dusting. Using cold start compositions the hazard of fire can be prevented. • In fly control, the most important role is played by aerosol-generation methods. The great advantage of air-space pest control is the "stunning" effect that has quick results, but ends soon after the aerosol clears from the air, and thus the area may get infected again without proper preventive measures.

• Spraying - generating droplets not capable of floating in the air - is suitable for applying to surfaces. The so-called "poison field" is generated in areas frequented by flies, where the flies are killed as they get in contact with the material. Because it is not necessary that flies to be killed consume the compositions of this type ("contact effect" insecticides), this method is suited for killing flies having piercing mouthparts (blood-sucking flies).

• Flies having licking-sucking mouthparts (e.g. the housefly) may be controlled using baits acting as stomach poisons. Baits are most frequently applied in a pulp form by wiping/rubbing using a brush, or, not so frequently, after further dilution by spraying. Spraying and the application of baits provides a relatively long effect stability (4-6 weeks). If the insecticide is applied to carefully chosen locations, fly control using this method can be very effective.

• Since flies can be easily attracted by light, high-contrast patterns, and fragrances, trapping is also an important fly control method. Pheromone- impregnated shaped stickers are applicable both in industrial, agricultural, and household environments. Windable fly catching tapes are often the fly control device of choice in cattle farms and pig sties, while glue pad fly traps are applied either in themselves or in combination with lights. They have the advantage that they can be applied in areas where insecticide application is to be avoided (for example, kitchens).

• High-voltage light insect traps are cheaply available and can be operated easily, but due to the bodies of dead insects exploding into the air they cannot be used near unpackaged food and may have disturbing sound.

• Luring and trapping flies using liquids can only be applied outdoors due to the generated odours, but some types are capable of catching extremely large numbers of flies. The prevention of resistance development is also important from the aspect of efficiency.

Several fly control products are available commercially in Hungary. Whether the area to be disinfested is a stable or another type of building, the appropriate form of presentation can be chosen from the ones available.

Several different fly killing agents and devices are in the market: the most widespread are toxic baits adapted for application by rubbing/wiping, and agents adapted for application by spraying (primarily by professional personnel). In addition to these, fly killing agents applied by evaporation, baits adapted for being placed in traps, glue fly catchers, window stickers, granules, and larva-killing compositions are also marketed.

Besides efficacy, the effect stability is also a critical factor, especially in case of eradicating flies from livestock units. Sprays are effective, but their effect stability is only a few hours, while aerosols have an effect stability on the order of minutes. Glue fly catchers, traps and window stickers are also not suitable for the prolonged control of such quantities of flies that occur around livestock units. So far, baits adapted for application by wiping/rubbing have proved to be the most efficient solution. Of these, one of the most efficient products is Agita, made by Novartis, which is capable of providing a "fly-free" state lasting for as long as a few weeks. A problem related to baits applicable by smearing is that, without exception, they comprise water-based carriers, and thereby they lose their efficacy when exposed to the weather and to UV light, or after the evaporation of the water, and due to oxidation processes they degrade and lose their biological efficacy.

This is due to the fact that the active agents currently in use for insect control had been earlier applied primarily as plant-health products. For reasons of environmental protection and food safety, active agents degrading within 1 -2 days had been applied. When it was later established that these active agents were effective against arthropod parasites of livestock, their application in the field of insect control started. However, no such insecticide agent is known that would have complete, long- lasting effect stability in a livestock-industry environment. A carrier system is therefore needed that protects the active agent against environmental impacts, thereby providing appropriate effect stability of the product. There are several known variants of fly control compositions. Some of these materials can be applied by smearing, but a serious disadvantage of these compositions is that - due to their especially high active agent content - they can only be applied at such heights where they are out of reach of livestock and humans. Fly control substances having high water content can be applied to a target area by spraying. Known water-comprising insecticides have the serious disadvantage that their moisture content evaporates in a short time after application by spraying, and the active agent is left over as a dust-like residue returned to the concentration it had before mixing (typically around 10%). This high-concentration residual material may be dangerous even for the animals to be protected. There is need also for such insecticide, particularly fly killing compositions which provide that the active agent is kept in solution for a prolonged period of time, and is not left over in a concentrated form in the target area, and which comprises as small amount of active agent as possible. In EP 0 836 851 A1 a composition adapted for treating ecto or endo parasites is disclosed. Several examples are given for the composition according to the document, the overwhelming majority of the examples comprising high amounts of oil; Example 7 of EP 0 836 851 A1 comprising 30% of water, a total of 7% of glucose and molasses, the rest of the composition comprising predominantly different oils. Example 7 is thus a composition consisting predominantly of oils. In a manner similar to other examples provided in EP 0 836 851 A1 , Example 7 does not comprise any fructose, and comprises only low amounts of other sugars. Due to their low applied amounts, those are not the sugars that determine the consistency and effect stability of the composition. The sugar content of Example 7 is predominantly given by glucose, which is a reducing sugar. In WO 03/105582 A2 a pesticide composition applicable for coating small particles of different material is disclosed. The pesticide coating may be applied to the particles also by spraying. The pesticide composition according to the document may comprise a sugar solution as an alternative to dipropylene glycol, soya oil, or starch. The ingredients of the sugar solution are not specified in the document.

Having investigated the known fly killing and other insecticide compositions, it can be established that, disadvantageously, the known compositions:

• are sensitive to changes of humidity and temperature; in case of too high temperature and humidity they deliquesce, while in case of too low humidity or temperature they tend to desiccate and crystallise,

• are sensitive to sunlight, on the one hand due to the tendency to desiccate, and on the other hand because in known compositions the UV part of spectrum of sunlight causes rapid degradation of the active agent, which drastically reduces the effect stability,

• the effect stability specified by the manufacturers can be only reached in optimal case, implying that under conditions typically prevailing in livestock units they can only reach 60-80% of the specified effect stability,

• since the carriers of known compositions can evaporate leading to the formation of a highly concentrated active agent residue, known compositions can comprise only a few types of active agent, which raises the possibility of the development of persistence,

• some of the known compositions are expressly toxic to warm blooded animals, and may therefore have limited application for fly control.

In view of known solutions, there is a demand for a composition for controlling flies and other pests that:

• is more resistant against temperature changes compared to known compositions,

• is not sensitive to sunlight, in connection with neither desiccation, nor the degradation of the active agent,

• has equal or longer effect stability compared to known compositions,

• preferably allows for applying multiple types of active agent to the target area, and • in addition to the above, can be preferably produced and applied such that it is not harmful to warm blooded animals.

In view of known solutions, therefore, there is a demand for a pest control composition that can be utilised more effectively than prior art compositions for controlling pests having sucking, sucking-licking, chewing, or piercing mouthparts, by way of example, flies or wasps. Such pest control compositions are therefore needed that have a longer lasting effect than known compositions, and can be applied regardless of the type of the target area.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a pest control composition and methods for producing and applying thereof which are free of disadvantages of prior art solutions to the greatest possible extent.

A further object of the invention is to provide a composition capable of fulfilling the demands listed above, and to provide methods for producing and applying the composition.

The objects of the invention can be achieved by the composition according to claim 1 , the method for production according to claim 13, the method for application according to claim 17, and the use according to claim 20. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The pest control composition according to the invention is particularly adapted for controlling pests having sucking mouthparts, for example, flies. The composition according to the invention has a dry matter content of 75-83 % by weight, and a moisture content of 17-25 % by weight relative to the weight of the composition. The composition comprises, relative to the weight of the dry matter content,

a) 0.1-2 % by weight of active agent,

b) 0.5-5 % by weight of gelling agent, and

c) 45-99.4 % by weight of fructose.

The fructose content of the composition according to the invention retards the degradation of the active agent, while ensuring that the creamy gel consistency provided together with the gelling agent is maintained long-lasting. It is provided by these two factors that the composition according to the invention has long-lasting efficacy.

The positive effect of fructose - a ketohexose - on effect stability may be slightly deteriorated by high aldohexose content, which to some extent also deteriorates the tested characteristics of the composition (effect stability, stability of consistency, etc.), as indicated by the comparison of test results for compositions according to Examples 6-9 and the composition according to Example 10. Example 10 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the fructose is given by inverted sugar. The composition according to the invention may also have embodiments (illustrated by Examples 6-8) wherein the fructose content is only partially provided by inverted sugar. In inverted sugar glucose and fructose are present in equal proportions, inverted sugar typically consisting almost exclusively of fructose and glucose, but in some cases it may for example also comprise sucrose. The lower limit of fructose content is 45 % by weight relative to the weight of the dry matter content because according to the invention outstanding effect stability may be achieved even in case the composition comprises mainly or exclusively inverted sugar in addition to the active agent and to the gelling agent. In addition to glucose and fructose, inverted sugar may also comprise sucrose, especially if the hydrolysis process applied for producing inverted sugar has not been fully completed. The outstanding efficacy provided by the invention occurs in case at least 45 % by weight of the dry matter content is fructose, i.e., if inverted sugar is applied, in case pure inverted sugar (i.e. comprising only glucose and fructose) amounts to at least 90 % by weight of the total dry matter content. The efficacy provided according to the invention is not affected in case, in addition to the combined fructose and glucose content of 90 % by weight, the composition also comprises sucrose (in case the applied inverted sugar is not completely pure) or, by way of example, cane sugar, beet sugar, molasses or brown sugar (in case of applying pure inverted sugar). Preferably, the glucose content does not exceed the fructose content, and the glucose content preferably equals fructose content only in case no fructose is added apart from the fructose content of inverted sugar. Corresponding to the upper limit of the fructose content defined according to the invention the composition according to the invention may consist - apart from the moisture content - exclusively of fructose, gelling agent, and an active agent. Due to the proportion of its fructose and glucose content, inverted sugar is not capable of providing a fructose content higher than 49.7 % by weight relative to the weight of the dry matter content because of the required minimum comprised amount of active agent and gelling agent.

The composition according to the invention preferably comprises 0-30 % by weight of aldose relative to the weight of the dry matter content, i.e. in some embodiments it comprises maximum 30 % by weight of aldose. Since aldose has a reducing effect, excessive aldose content may lead to the degradation of the active agent. In addition to that, excessive aldose content may negatively affect consistency (as illustrated in Comparative Example 2 having high glucose content), and therefore aldose content is maximised at 30 % by weight relative to the weight of the dry matter content. Due to the high fructose content, in these quantities the above described adverse effects of aldose can occur only to a very limited extent (as illustrated in Examples 6-9). In such embodiments of the composition according to the invention, therefore, the positive effect fructose content has on the effect stability cannot yet be reduced by the glucose content to an extent that would significantly deteriorate the efficacy of the composition during the typical application period (i.e. the duration for which the pest control effect of the composition is relevant, approximately 10 weeks, which is on the same scale as the length of the entire fly control season). As it is illustrated by Examples 6-9, below a sufficiently low glucose content (less than 30 % by weight) efficacy stays above 90 during the whole 10 weeks of the test period. Accordingly, a composition with such formula not only exhibits outstanding effect stability compared to the comparative examples and with known compositions, but also has a far lower efficacy degradation rate.

The composition according to the invention preferably comprises as little aldose as possible; in an embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises 0-5 % by weight of aldose relative to the dry matter content. In a further embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises glucose as an aldose. A type of aldose that is readily and inexpensively available as a commercial product is glucose. Thereby - in case the composition according to the invention has an aldose content, i.e. its aldose content is not 0 % by weight - glucose is expediently applied as an aldose. In an embodiment of the invention it comprises 0-54.4 % by weight, relative to the weight of the dry matter content, of a component that is selected from cane sugar, beet sugar, molasses, or brown sugar, or combinations comprising two or more from the components listed. The composition according to the invention preferably comprises one or more of the above listed sugar types. These sugars are typically not reducing sugars, and are readily and cheaply available as commercial products. Thereby, it is expedient to add one or more of them to the composition according to the invention. Preferably, at least 20 % by weight, relative to the weight of the dry matter content, of these materials is added. Such embodiments of the composition according to the invention are also possible wherein the composition according to the invention does not comprise any aldose, the component selected from the cane sugar, the beet sugar, the molasses, the brown sugar, or from the combination comprising at least two of these components completes the fructose-, active agent-, and gelling agent content to 100 % by weight of the dry matter content. It is also conceivable, that in such a composition (comprising one of cane sugar, beet sugar, molasses, and brown sugar, or a combination thereof, and fructose, an active agent, and a gelling agent) also comprises further additive, such as low amounts of glucose, oil, or other additive.

In some embodiments the composition according to the invention comprises 0-5 % by weight of oil relative to the weight of the dry matter content. This embodiment also covers the case wherein the composition does not comprise oil at all. Since oil may deteriorate the consistency of the composition according to the invention, the composition according to the invention preferably comprises as little oil as possible, or even does not comprise any oil at all.

The most important ingredient of brown sugar is either beet sugar or cane sugar, while brown sugar also comprises molasses. Molasses may also comprise small quantities of fructose and glucose. ln case the fructose content, active agent content, and gelling agent content of the composition according to the invention is complemented by inverted sugar even up to 100 % by weight of the dry material content, then - since inverted sugar typically consists exclusively of glucose and fructose - the composition will comprise glucose as provided by the inverted sugar content, while the fructose provided by the inverted sugar will add up to the fructose content of the composition.

Some embodiments of the invention relates to a method for producing any embodiment of the composition according to the invention. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of

a) providing an aqueous base mixture comprising fructose,

b) optionally, evaporating the aqueous base mixture,

c) producing a carrier by adding a gelling agent to the aqueous base mixture, wherein the weight proportion of fructose and the gelling agent is 9:1-198.8:1 ,

d) optionally, evaporating the carrier,

e) producing the composition by adding an active agent to the carrier and optionally evaporating the mixture, wherein the weight proportion of fructose and the active agent is 22.5:1-994:1. Preferably, one or more further components may optionally be added to the fructose before adding the gelling agent. These components may be, for example, the above listed cane sugar, beet sugar, molasses, brown sugar, inverted sugar, glucose, fragrance, and pheromone. This one or more component or components may optionally be added to the composition in later stages of the method. The method according to the invention is aimed at the production of the composition according to the invention, and therefore the optional one or two evaporating operations are performed such that the composition has a dry matter content of 75-83 % by weight relative to its weight (in the case when the moisture content is in the desired range at the beginning, it may happen that no evaporating operation is required). The composition produced with the method, therefore, in addition the above specified amounts of gelling agent and active agent, also comprises 45-99.4 % by weight of fructose, relative to the weight of the dry matter content (due to the above specified mass proportions the active agent and gelling agent content, expressed in % by weight relative to the weight of the dry matter content will also be as desired). The carrier material is therefore such a component of the composition that does not yet comprise an active agent. Some embodiments of the invention relates to the use of any of the embodiments of the invention, particularly for controlling pests having sucking, sucking-licking, chewing or piercing mouthparts, by way of example, flies.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention the base mixture is evaporated at a temperature of 97-1 12 °C. This temperature range provides that the caramelising base mixture, having an almost caramel-like consistency, enters a "filament forming" state. The appearance of this "filament forming" property can also be checked applying suitable stirring means. In case "filament formation" has already started, it is the sign that the desired consistency (viscosity) has been reached. During the atmospheric evaporating operation the temperature is preferably 105-1 10 °C. Our experiments have proven that the best results are obtained in case the base mixture is boiled near the upper temperature limit, at 110 °C.

In an embodiment of the invention the temperature of the carrier is between 10-50 °C when the active agent is added, the active agent is therefore added to the carrier at a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the mixture during the evaporating stage, i.e. when the carrier has started cooling, or it has already cooled down. The active agent is preferably added at a temperature between 15- 40 °C, since in case the non-heat-stable active agent is added above 40 °C its effectiveness may be deteriorated or it may even decompose; and on the other hand, it is not preferred to add the active agent at a temperature below the typically occurring room temperature. The active agent is added to the carrier particularly preferably at a temperature of 20-30 °C, i.e. near room temperature.

During the optionally carried out one or more evaporating operations the decreasing moisture content is monitored, and the dry matter content is adjusted such that the final dry matter content of the composition is in the above mentioned range of 75-83 % by weight. Our experiments have shown that an optimal end product can be obtained as far as consistency, efficacy and effect stability are concerned in case the dry matter content is in the above mentioned range after the optionally performed one of more evaporating operation(s).

In accordance with the above, the dry matter content of the base mixture is preferably adjusted to as low as possible within the predetermined limits, i.e. between 75 and 83 % by weight because thereby the drying process may be slowed down, and the material becomes capable of absorbing moisture from the environment. It was shown by our experiments that the end product, i.e. the pest control composition according to the invention has the most advantageous characteristics if the dry matter content of the composition after the optionally performed evaporating operation is 78 % by weight.

To prepare the carrier, the gelling agent, by way of example, gelatin, is added to the optionally evaporated base mixture, of which the dry matter content has been optionally also adjusted to an appropriate value. The gelling agent is preferably added to the base mixture when the base mixture has already cooled down, but the gelling agent may also be added directly after the optionally performed evaporating operation, when the base mixture is in a hot, heated state.

Relatively stable moisture retention is also facilitated by the components comprised by the pest control composition according to the invention, as well as by its gel-like, creamy consistency (this consistency is termed "creamy gel" in the description of the experiments).

Since the pest control composition according to the invention can be effective in an appropriate extent only when it is not dried out, by properly adjusting the dry matter content - falling in the range according to the invention - through optional evaporating it is provided that, due to slower drying, the pest control composition retains its efficacy after it has been applied to the target area for a significantly longer period of time than known products.

The carrier of the composition according to the invention was developed explicitly for preserving the applied active agent in a homogeneous concentration for a much (one-and-a-half times or twice) longer time compared to prior art products, while protecting it from environmental effects (oxidation, humidity, temperature change, sunlight, UV light) such that it remains attractive, edible as well as toxic during this period for the pests to be controlled.

According to the method according to the invention the carrier is obtained from the base mixture by the addition of a gelling agent. It is sufficient if a relatively low amount of gelatin and/or gelling agent is added to the pest control composition according to the invention which thereby comprises preferably 1-2 % by weight of gelling agent relative to the dry matter content. Our experiments indicated that a pest control composition having the desired consistency can be preferably obtained with such an amount of gelling agent is added thereto.

The active agent is preferably added in the cooled-down state of the carrier. This is necessary especially if the active agent is not thermostable, or comprises a non- thermostable component. If added at high temperatures, non-thermostable active agents may degrade and may lose their biological effect. To prepare the carrier, the gelling agent is added to the preferably evaporated base mixture, of which the dry matter content has been also adjusted to appropriate value. In an embodiment, during the addition of the gelling agent the temperature of the base mixture is between 10 and 50 °C, preferably between 15 and 40 °C, and particularly preferably between 20 and 30 °C, but the gelling agent may also be added directly after the optionally performed evaporating operation, when the base mixture is in a hot, heated state. The temperature range at which the active agent is added to the composition has already been presented above. In some embodiments of the method according to the invention the base mixture is cooled off, or it is left to cool to the specified temperature range before adding the gelling agent.

The carrier is typically a transparent, yellowish white gel-like material. To some insects to be controlled the carrier in itself functions as a bait, but in some embodiments - with added fragrances or mixed with pheromones to an appropriate extent - the baiting effect can be further intensified. The efficacy of the pest control composition according to the invention is thereby improved if it is capable of attracting the pests to be controlled from a larger distance. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the pest control composition according to the invention comprises a fragrance, or a - e.g. a sex - pheromone. The fragrance is e.g. vanillin, or tricosene as in case of the composition according to Example 1 1. The desired effect can be achieved by adding a relatively low amount of fragrance, and thus a minimum of 0.1 % by weight of fragrance is comprised in the pest control composition. Since it is not worth utilising too high an amount of fragrance, the maximum fragrance concentration of the composition is 3 % by weight. Considering the above, the fragrance content is more preferably between 0.5-2 % by weight. Our experiments have shown that, while maintaining economical feasibility, the most preferable efficacy may be obtained in case 1 % by weight of fragrance is comprised by the pest control composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the composition according to the invention the active agent is selected from the group consisting of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, methomyl, bendiocarb, clothianidin, other organic phosphoric acid compounds, carbamates, neonicotinoids, and of combinations comprising two or more of the components listed.

In another embodiment of the composition according to the invention the active agent is selected from the group consisting of pyrethrins, pyretroids, and nicotines, and of combinations comprising two or more of the components listed. These embodiments of the invention therefore comprise an active agent that undergoes rapid degradation in its free form (a so-called "green chemistry" agent). However, in the form they are applied in the composition according to the invention these latter materials degrade slowly, and thus they are suitable for being applied in the composition according to the invention.

According to the invention the active agent is added to the carrier in an amount of 0.1-2 % by weight relative to the weight of the dry matter content. The active agent may also be added in the form of WP (wettable powder), WG (wettable granules), or WGD (wettable dispersible granules). A major advantage of the pest control composition according to the invention is that, thanks to the gel-like consistency obtained by adding gelatin or another gelling agent, it retains its moisture content over a long period of time, and thereby it remains active for a significantly longer period than known compositions. Another major advantage of the pest control composition according to the invention is that, due to its gel-like consistency, and thus the relatively stability of its dry matter content also the concentration of the active agent in the composition is highly stable, i.e. it does not degrade and thus retains its biological activity even long after being applied to a target area. Furthermore, in known solutions the molecules of the active agent become in contact with air after the dispensed aerosol has dried, thereby becoming oxidised and degraded, losing their effectiveness. The gel-like composition according to the invention protects the active agent from drying off, and thereby prevents molecules of the active agent from coming in contact with air, also protecting them from harmful oxidation processes and from harmful effects of sunlight, and thereby the half-life period of the active agent increases, providing for the desired effect stability. During the application of the pest control composition according to the invention it is not required to closely monitor the covered area, since due to its appropriately low and stable active agent content the composition does not pose any danger in case it is transferred to, or is consumed by, livestock or pets.

For proper safety it is desirable to adjust the concentration of the active agent to the lowest possible value at which the effective eradication of pests is still provided. Accordingly, as it is also supported by experimental results, in an embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises 0.2-1 % by weight of active agent, relative to the weight of the dry matter content.

The pest control composition according to the invention does not undergo oxidation, or is oxidised only to a small extent. It is photo-stable, heat-stable up to at least 40 °C, and has a density of approximately 1400 kg/m ³ . If the active agent molecules on the surface start to become oxidised, the outer layer is always removed by flies, and thus a still stable portion of material will come to the surface. Thereby, due to its gel-like consistency, the pest control composition according to the invention has a long-lasting effect. Our experiments have shown that the taste of the pest control composition according to the invention is so attractive to the pests to be controlled that they typically consume an amount several times the lethal dose and die within minutes. Due to the large consumed amount, the pests to be controlled cannot develop resistance.

Concerning the ratio of dry matter content and moisture content experience indicates that in case the initial dry matter content (at the time of application) relative to the weight of the composition is below 75 % by weight, the consistency of the composition will not be satisfactory. Such a composition is not suitable for application in livestock units because due to the relatively high humidity it easily deliquesces. In case the dry matter content is below 75 % by weight, a satisfactory effect stability cannot be attained because of the relatively high water content: the sugar solution which comprises too much water cannot prevent the active agent from degradation to an appropriate extent, which may then degrade in a much shorter period of time (as short as a few weeks) compared to the compositions according to the invention. If moisture content exceeds 25 % by weight relative to the weight of the composition, the viscosity of the composition is also not sufficient.

The dry matter content, relative to the weight of the composition, cannot exceed 83 % by weight. The consistency of the composition would not be as desired also in this case, as the composition would recrystallise under room temperature. In case of recrystallization, efficacy is significantly deteriorated (the composition becomes unsuitable for further use); the active agent crystallising together with the sugar content. If the water content was too low, i.e. below 17 % by weight relative to the weight of the composition, the active agent would have a heterogeneous distribution, that is, the homogeneous distribution of the active agent in the carrier could not be provided.

Taking an unusual, novel course of development, in the composition according to the invention the carrier that is adapted for receiving the active agent and applying it to the target area is prepared from a high-concentration aqueous solution of sugars.

It is known that in aqueous solutions active agents undergo rapid degradation, cannot be kept in solution in a stable manner, and are sensitive to UV light. Despite these facts - as it is illustrated in detail below by examples - following this direction such a composition can be obtained according to the invention that can fulfil the above described needs.

In the initial experiments, carriers were produced using inexpensively available sugars, selecting materials from poly- and oligosaccharides, cyclodextrines and their mixtures, evaporating the aqueous solutions of the selected materials (beet sugar, cane sugar, molasses, etc.) to a honey-like consistency. Tests of the resulting carriers gave the following results:

• the carrier thus produced stabilised the active agent, making it resistant against light and humidity,

· applying such a carrier an active agent degradation rate similar to that of commercially available products can be achieved,

• due to its consistency, such a carrier is not resistant against temperature and humidity changes as it undergoes recrystallisation, desiccation, or it deliquesces easily,

· the viscosity of the carrier exhibited high variance, involving that either the size of the generated droplets was not satisfactory, or no droplets were produced.

The subsequent experiments also covered monosaccharides in addition to oligosaccharides. Experimental results indicated that

· applying such a carrier the active agents are stable against the effects of light and humidity,

• applying such a carrier the degradation rate of active agents was slower than in the case of commercially available products,

• in case different monosaccharides were applied, some of the obtained carriers had suitable consistency as far as resistance to temperature and humidity change is concerned, • the stable viscosity of the carrier required for droplet production had lower variance than before, the droplet size of the carriers was partially satisfactory,

• utilising a specific monosaccharide (fructose) resulted in a carrier with outstanding characteristics from all of the aspects laid down above,

• this monosaccharide is hygroscopic, which contributes to the outstanding effect stability.

The compositions showing outstanding results (i.e. compositions comprising fructose) were used for new experiments. Experimental results have shown that the stability of the active agent and the effect stability of the composition are highly influenced by the concentration of fructose and the dry matter content of the composition. The experiments indicated that applying fructose in an amount between 45 and nearly 100 % by weight relative to the dry matter content of the composition yields outstanding results for the effect stability of the active agent, chemical stability, and the consistency of the composition (the composition retains its creamy gel-like consistency for a prolonged period of time). With these components, the carrier will not deliquesce or recrystallise for a long time (for at least 10 weeks), while it exhibits a hygroscopic property to the proper extent, i.e. it can absorb water from the environment according to the relative humidity. Experiments were also carried out as to reducing the applied amount of active agent, the tests being also extended to natural, "green chemical" active agents that are usually regarded as obsolete, and to materials which, on grounds of their chemical structure, are regarded as unsuitable, and, partially thanks to the consistency providing excellent effect stability, the results were very favourable. The composition according to the invention fulfilled all development requirements as described below. As it is illustrated by the experimental results, these favourable properties are maintained for a much longer period of time than in case of known compositions:

• the composition according to the invention has outstanding resistance against humidity and temperature changes, • the composition according to the invention is sensitive to sunlight neither with respect to desiccation nor active agent degradation,

• the composition according to the invention surpasses known compositions as far as the effect stability is concerned,

· the composition according to the invention can be applied for many kinds of active agent to the target area, even natural active agents not otherwise utilised for insect control any more, or active agents that are regarded as unsuitable for insect control due to their chemical structure (the latter are kept in the carrier in a stable manner by the non-reducing sugars, such as fructose and, by way of example, other oligosaccharides comprised by the composition according to the invention),

• the composition according to the invention is not harmful to warm-blooded animals: based on the experimental results it can be maintained that the concentration of the active agent relative to the dry matter content is the same or is even an order of magnitude below the active agent concentration of commercially available products, but, in contrast to known compositions (wherein the carrier may evaporate), due to the prolonged creamy gel consistency of the carrier, the active agent leaves no high- concentration residue in the target area. The insecticide agents, or families of agents that are applicable as an active agent are listed below. Known materials are the nerve poisons (neurotoxins), which are presented below.

Nerve poisons inhibit the operation of the animal nervous system. In animal organisms nerve impulses are transmitted as electric signals. However, between individual neurons they are transmitted with the help of chemical compounds. In the gaps between neurons (synapses) the impulses are transmitted by chemical transmitter substances, such as acetylcholine, produced in the axon terminal of the transmitting (pre-synaptic) neuron. This complex process can be inhibited at many locations, according to which the different groups of agents are defined: 1. agents inhibiting of the operation of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (phosporic acid esters, carbamates); 2. agents inhibiting bonding of acetylcholine to the receptor (nicotine, neonicotinoids);

3. agents reducing the permeability of Na+ ion channels (pyretroids, DDT, lindane). Organic phosphoric acid esters are also known as active agents. This group of compounds was originally developed as a chemical weapon, and its application as an insecticide started after chlorinated hydrocarbons had been banned. Their common target is the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, responsible for breaking down acetylcholine. They have many favourable properties, as similar substances can be found in living beings. Because living organisms comprise several different phosphoric acid esters, they can be prepared to some extent for breaking them down. They have very good solubility in water, and thereby present no danger of bioaccumulation. They also degrade fast, not being persistent in the environment. An unfavourable property of them is that they exhibit significant toxicity to mammals, and thereby authorisations of many of them have been revoked. The symptoms of poisoning caused by these agents can be successfully treated with atropine.

Zoocide carbamates are also known. Their mode of action is the same as that of organic phosphoric acid esters, and thus they have high toxicity in mammals. They are fast-degrading. Authorised materials belonging to this group are: pirimicarb, methomyl, and oxamyl.

Another known agents are pyrethrins and pyretroids. One example of them is Chrisanthemum cinerariefolium, the extract made from the dried pollen of this chrysanthemum species has been used for centuries for insect control. The pyrethrin active agent comprises 6 ingredients, namely, natural chrysanthemum acids and the esters of pyrethric acid ("green chemistry" agents). Their application is limited by that they are sensitive to oxidation and UV radiation. In animals having constant body temperature, however, they usually undergo rapid degradation and excretion, and thereby this group plays a significant role in household insect control. The development of their synthetic derivatives called pyrethroids were also fast. As the structure of these synthetic active agents became more and more removed from the initial structure, pyrethroids can be classified in different generations. First-generation pyrethroids (bioallethrin) are identical in structure to the natural active agent. Tetramethrin, belonging to the second generation, has better efficacy but is still sensitive to sunlight. The third generation (permethrin) is already UV- stable, and also has low volatility. Finally, fourth-generation pyrethroids have a chemical structure that is hardly reminiscent of the basic compound; and they have much lower efficacy than the above mentioned compounds. These are: bifenthrin, tefluthrin, cypermethrin, esfenvalerate, etophenprox, lambda- cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, fenpropathrin.

Pyrethroids are cheaper than pyrethrins, and can be manufactured more easily. They are stable, have 2-3 times higher biological efficacy than pyrethrins, and have very low application doses: 0.1-0.2 kg/ha. They have low toxicity in mammals.

Disadvantageously, they are extremely toxic to bees and fish, and fast occurrence of resistance and cross resistance was observed during their application.

Another class of known agents is nitromethylenes. They are a small group of nerve poisons currently under development. They act - in a manner similar to nicotines - by inhibiting the bonding of acetylcholine to the receptor, hence they are also called "neonicotinoids". The chemical structure of nicotine is similar to acetylcholine, and thus during stimulus transmission it gets bonded to the receptor, successfully replacing acetylcholine. The major representatives of this group are: imidacloprid, thiametoxam, acetamiprid, thiacloprid. Nereistoxin derivatives are also known. Nerve poisons developed from nereistoxin, an agent isolated from the marine worm Lumbriconereis heteropoda, are cartap and bensultap. Resistance to this group of active agents was also observed.

Another known nerve poison is the contact and stomach poison indoxacarb, which has feeding inhibiting effect in moth caterpillars, causing coordination disorders and paralytic symptoms in case of prolonged exposure. Pymetrozin has a similar effect in pests having piercing-sucking mouthparts.

The active agents described in the above classification, and also other active agents, are applicable in the composition according to the invention in the above concentration of 0.1 -2 % by weight relative to the dry matter content.

As it is shown by the experimental results included below, in the composition according to the invention the active agent is kept in a biologically active state for an at least 1.5-2 times longer time compared to commercially available products. It is important to note that in case of some embodiments of the compositions according to the invention, efficacy proved to be outstanding even at the end of the 10-week test period, therefore, the effect stability of the composition can be maintained the period being 1 .5-2 times longer than the effect stability of commercial products.

Due to its ingredients and their amounts, the composition according to the invention is hygroscopic, and is therefore not prone to desiccation. Since the composition according to the invention effectively prevents the degradation of the active agent, materials regarded as unsuitable in the first place due to their chemical structures ("green chemistry" materials) may also be applied as active agent. The viscosity of the compositions according to the invention is nearly the same as the viscosity of sugar solutions comprising approximately the same amounts of water. These data are shown in the table below for the different temperatures: temperature viscosity [mPas]

[°C] min max

20 1600 72600

30 580 15400

40 240 4230

Experimental results show how certain specific concentration proportions (also present in the experimental examples) influence the properties of the carrier. Conclusions drawn from our experiments were applied to establish the constraints on ingredients and their amounts that provide a consistency which ensures the long-term efficacy of the composition according to the invention.

As specified above, 0.5-5 % by weight of gelling agent, e.g. gelatin, is to be added to the composition according to the invention in order to achieve a creamy gel consistency that makes the saturated/oversatu rated sugar solution resistant at various values of rH (relative humidity), or in case the relative humidity changes. The relative humidity of air specifies the percentage of water vapour comprised in the air relative to the maximum water vapour content that the air is capable of holding at the given temperature. As illustrated by the examples, this consistency (and the long-time maintaining thereof) protects the material from crystallisation caused by the loss of water content, as well as from deliquescing. The addition of excessive amounts of brown sugar and molasses, and components other than sugars (other inorganic and organic compounds) deteriorate the stability of the active agent, and thereby, the effect stability.

It has also been shown by the experiments that the rate of desiccation and recrystallisation is increased by the addition of excessive amounts of aldose. Overly high aldose content (higher than 30 % by weight of the dry matter content) reduces the stability of the active agent, and thereby the effect stability (cf. Example 10). Excessive sucrose content would have the same effect, therefore the lower limit of fructose content, set at 45 % by weight according to the invention, must be observed. In case the fructose content of the composition conforms to the above, then the composition can even consist entirely of sucrose (in addition to the fructose, gelling agent, and active agent content), as such an amount of sucrose cannot deteriorate the effects of fructose.

The experimental results suggest that - both individually and in combination - molasses, brown sugar and fructose increase rH stability, i.e. stability with respect to the change of humidity, as it is supported by Comparative Examples 4 and 5. Accordingly, the application of molasses and brown sugar is advantageous in the composition according to the invention, provided that the required fructose content is also present. The proper adjustment of the proportion of non-reducing sugars (oligosaccharides, ketohexose) is of key importance because thereby the stability of the active agent - or API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) stability -, and thus, a sufficient effect stability can be provided in the saturated or oversaturated aqueous sugar solution. The application of reducing sugars (aldoses, aldohexose) deteriorates active agent stability, and therefore a maximum of 30 % by weight (relative to the dry matter content) of such materials may be preferably applied according to the invention. Accordingly, the composition does not preferably comprise aldose.

Sugar solutions are biologically stable, i.e. they do not undergo fermentation.

Deliquescing has a deteriorating effect also because the excessive increase of water content reduces active agent stability, i.e. it may lead to the degradation of the active agent.

In addition to providing the effect stability and the long-term stability of the active agent, the creamy gel consistency is extremely attractive to insects. It is partly due to this fact that the insects attracted by the creamy gel-consistency composition according to the invention typically consume even by orders of magnitude more poisoned bait material than the amount required to kill them.

Due to the creamy gel consistency, the concentration of active agent (measured in mass percent relative to the carrier) may be kept at a lower value than the active agent concentration of commercially available products. It is also supported by experiments that the proper adjustment of the ketohexose ratio of the monosaccharide according to the invention (between 45 and nearly 100% relative to the dry matter content of the composition according to the invention) results in a composition of outstanding quality, as far as the consistency of the product is concerned (outstanding humidity resistance: it can be utilised over a very wide humidity range, and it is not sensitive to humidity changes). Thanks to the creamy consistency, the dispensed droplets do not desiccate, recrystallise or deliquesce. The diameter of a droplet is typically 0.1-2 mm. Due to the ingredients and their amounts according to the invention, the chemical stability of the comprised active agent is preserved for a prolonged period of time. The composition according to the invention is capable of retaining its active agent content of minimum 0.1 % by weight relative to the dry matter content for a prolonged period of time (longer than the test period of 10 weeks illustrated in the examples) in a stable manner, and thereby providing a sufficiently attractive bait for the targeted pests. The composition according to the invention may also be capable of keeping the active agent in the aqueous solution in a stable manner in case of UV radiation for a time by multiple orders of magnitude longer than known compositions. The composition according to the invention provides high UV- and chemical stability of the dissolved active agents, and thus it is particularly suitable for generating a novel possibility for the application of natural insecticide agents (nicotine, chrysantemic acid, pyrethroids) that have gone out of use due to their lower efficacy, thereby reducing environmental load.

The invention further relates to a method for applying the pest control composition according to the invention. In the course of the method, the pest control composition is applied to the target area by spraying or smearing.

The pest control composition obtained by the inventive method is a material having a gel-like, creamy consistency. The material may be applied to the desired target area by smearing or - applying appropriate spraying equipment - by spraying. In case the pest control composition according to the invention is to be applied in a low quantity over a small area, buying spraying equipment is not expedient. In this case, the composition may preferably be applied by rubbing to the target area utilising a rubber brush.

The pest control composition according to the invention may also be applied to the target area by spraying. Application by spraying has several advantages. If the composition is applied to the target area by spraying, it may be provided that the pest control composition is dispersed into droplets of different size and is spread over the target area, thereby forming a virtually infinite number (typically, on the order of millions) of baiting locations for the pests to be eradicated.

Due to the large number of baiting locations the chances for pests visiting one of them are very high. Our experience indicates that a single dose (droplet) of the pest control composition will attract pests from a distance of approximately 2 m. The diameter of a droplet is typically 0.1-2 mm. We have found that flies typically living in stables do not leave an area of 2-3 m ² around their hatching location in the course of their lives. Accordingly, the pest control composition according to the invention may be applied especially effectively because it can be applied by spraying to any type of target area, without regard to the type of the specific target area - since, as described above, the active agent content of the applied pest control composition remains stable for a long time, is not dangerous to livestock to be protected from the insects to be eradicated, but is very effective against the pests to be controlled.

In an embodiment of the application method according to the invention the pest control composition is applied by spraying at a pressure of 8-22 bar, preferably at a pressure of approximately 20 bar. In this embodiment, therefore, a high-pressure spraying machine has to be utilised for the application process. The pest control composition according to the invention can be most preferably applied by spraying to the target area by applying a so-called "single-jet" spraying technology. According to known solutions water-based pest control compositions are applied by spraying. The water-based compositions have much lower viscosity than the pest control composition according to the invention, which has a typical viscosity of 10-100 Pa s. As a consequence of this feature, conventional spray heads applied for spraying water-based compositions cannot be applied for spraying the inventive pest control composition, which has a gel-like consistency, at the low pressure - typically 6 bar - applied in conventional spraying machines.

For the application of the pest control composition according to the invention, therefore, such a spray head is preferably applied which, instead of atomising the jet, emits a single spray jet. Through such a spray head the pest control composition according to the invention can be applied appropriately. Due to air resistance the single spray jet emitted preferably at high pressure becomes divided into multiple jets, or, preferably, it may even become atomised. Upon hitting the ground the spray jet is divided into an extremely large number of droplets that become dispersed over the target area.

Our experiments have shown that the taste of the pest control composition obtained utilising the method according to the invention is so attractive to flies that they typically consume an amount several times the lethal dose and die within minutes. Due to the large consumed amount, the pests to be controlled cannot develop resistance to the composition.

The invention is, of course, not limited to the preferred embodiments described in details above, but further variants, modifications and developments are possible within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

In Tables 1-10 below the composition of the dry matter content of the individual exemplary compositions are specified. In Tables 6-10 the ingredients and their amounts corresponding to certain embodiments of the composition according to the invention are specified, whereas Tables 1-5 comprise examples that - albeit only slightly - differ from the compositions according to the invention (they also exclusively comprise a sugar in addition to the active agent and gelatin), and are included for the purpose of comparison with the invention. The ingredients and their amounts of five materials are specified below compared to which the composition according to the invention exhibits outstanding properties regarding the tested characteristics (effect stability, preservation of consistency). The examples following Examples 6-10, of which the ingredients and their amounts is also specified below in tabular format, also illustrate the composition according to the invention. In the headings of the sections describing comparative examples the adjective "comparative" is included, whereas the examples according to the invention are referred to as "examples" without an adjective.

The composition according to all of the examples described below is prepared as follows. The initial material is water in a quantity proportionally larger than the final moisture content, the quantity being 800 grams in case of the compositions according to the present examples. The above specified amount of water is heated to 50 °C, and then the sugar content present in the composition according to the given example is slowly added to the water, and is dissolved by continuous stirring. Subsequently, the gelling agent (which is, in all of the compositions according to the examples, gelatin) is added to the sugary solution that is kept at 50 °C in case of the compositions according to the examples. Stirring continuously, the solution thus obtained is then evaporated under atmospheric pressure conditions such that its dry matter content - taking into account the amount of active agent and, optionally, fragrance yet to be added - falls in the range of 75-83 % by weight relative to the weight of the composition. The active agent and the optionally applied fragrance are added only after the mixture, already having a creamy gel consistency, has cooled down to room temperature (25 °C). In case of the compositions according to the examples the gelatin, the active agent, and the optionally applied fragrance is added preferably while the mixture is continuously stirred in order that they are evenly (homogeneously) distributed in the mixture. In case of all compositions according to the examples the active agent is imidacloprid.

In addition to the gelatin providing the consistency referred to as "creamy gel" in Tables 12-21 and to the active agent the dry matter content of the compositions included in the tables only comprises various sugars. As additives, the composition may also comprise other mono-, di-, oligo- or polysaccharides or starch syrup. In an embodiment, the composition according to the invention comprises 0-30 % by weight of starch syrup (relative to the dry matter content) because of its aldose content. EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1 (COMPARATIVE)

The above described method was applied for producing a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight relative to the weight of the composition, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 1 : material quantity [g] weight %

beet sugar 400 40 glucose 0 0 fructose 0 0 molasses 580 58 cane sugar 0 0 inverted sugar 0 0 brown sugar 0 0 gelatin 10 1 active agent 10 1

total 1000 100

Table 1

More specifically, 800 g of water was heated to 50 °C, and then the entire amount of sugar, i.e. 400 g of beet sugar and 580 g of molasses, was slowly added to the water, stirring the mixture constantly. Stirring was continued until the sugars completely dissolved. After that, 10 g of gelling agent (gelatin) was added to the solution during continuous stirring, while the temperature of the solution was kept at 50 °C. During continuous stirring, the solution thus obtained was evaporated under atmospheric pressure conditions such that 518 g of water was removed. The quantity of evaporated water was tracked by measuring the weight of the evaporated solution. The evaporated solution was cooled to 25 °C, and the active agent, 10 g of imidacloprid, was then added during stirring. Thereby, a composition having a mass of 1282 g and a final moisture content of 22 % by weight was obtained.

The composition of the dry matter content of the composition according to the present comparative example is given in Table 1 . Each 1000 grams of the dry matter content of this exemplary composition comprise 10 grams of active agent (in case of the composition according to this example, imidacloprid) and 10 grams of gelatin. The remaining part is constituted by 400 grams of beet sugar and 580 grams of molasses. As it can be discerned from Table 1 1 included below Tables 1 -10 presenting the examples, in case the dry matter content has the ingredients and their amounts detailed in Table 1 , the moisture content of the composition according to the present comparative example amount to 22 % by weight relative to the total weight. In the composition according to the present example, the moisture content amounting to 22 % by weight is provided by water, i.e. the dry matter content weighing 1000 grams amounts to 78 % by weight of the composition, the remaining 22 % by weight being constituted in the composition according to the present example by 282 g of water.

EXAMPLE 2 (COMPARATIVE)

In a manner analogous to the process described in relation to Example 1 , the above described method was applied for producing a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 2:

Table 2

The ingredients and their amounts of the dry matter content, amounting to 1000 grams, of the composition according to the present comparative example are given in Table 2. In a manner similar to the compositions described in Tables 1-7 and Tables 9-10, 1000 grams of the dry matter content of the composition according to the present example comprise 10 grams of gelatin and 10 grams of the active agent. In all of the compositions according to the examples herein described the active agent is imidacloprid. In the composition according to the present comparative example 1000 g of dry matter comprise 790 grams of glucose and 190 grams of fructose. The dry matter content amounts to 78 % by weight of the weight also in case of the composition according to the present comparative example, so, as with the composition according to Comparative Example 1 , the moisture content of the composition according to the present comparative example is 22 % by weight. In the composition according to the present comparative example, and also in the further examples, the moisture content is constituted by water, and so the composition according to the present comparative example comprises 282 grams of water in addition to the 1000 g of dry matter content.

EXAMPLE 3 (COMPARATIVE)

In a manner analogous to the process described in relation to Example 1 , the above described method was applied for producing a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 3:

Table 3

The composition of the dry matter content of the composition according to the present comparative example is given in Table 3. In addition to the 10 grams of gelatin and 10 grams of active agent the dry matter content, amounting to 1000 grams, of the composition according to the present comparative example comprises 790 g of cane sugar and 190 g of glucose. Therefore, the dry matter content is 78 % by weight and the moisture content is 22 % by weight also in the composition according to this example. EXAMPLE 4 (COMPARATIVE)

In a manner analogous to the process described in relation to Example 1 , the above described method was applied for producing a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 4:

Table 4

The composition according to Comparative Example 4, having the dry matter ingredients detailed in Table 4, comprises 980 grams of molasses in addition to the 10 g of gelatin and 10 g of active agent. Likewise, the composition according to Comparative Example 4 has a dry matter content of 78 % by weight and a moisture content of 22 % by weight.

EXAMPLE 5 (COMPARATIVE)

In a manner analogous to the process described in relation to Example 1 , the above described method was applied for producing a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 5:

Table 5

The dry matter content of the composition according to this example is made up of 10 g of gelatin, 10 g of active agent, as well as 750 g of brown sugar and 230 g of glucose.

EXAMPLE 6

Applying the above described method, more particularly, applying a method analogous to the process described in (Comparative) Example 1 , a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 6 was produced. ingredients and their amounts

material quantity [g] weight %

beet sugar 0 0 glucose 0 0 fructose 750 75 molasses 0 0 cane sugar 0 0 inverted sugar 230 23 brown sugar 0 0

gelatin 10 1 active agent 10 1

total 1000 100

Table 6

More specifically, 800 g of water was heated to 50 °C, and then the entire amount of sugar, i.e. 750 g of fructose and 230 g of inverted sugar, was added to the water, stirring the mixture constantly. Stirring was continued until the sugars completely dissolved. After that, 10 g of gelling agent (gelatin) was added to the solution during continuous stirring, while the temperature of the solution was kept at 50 °C. During continuous stirring, the solution thus obtained was evaporated under atmospheric pressure conditions such that 518 g of water was removed. The quantity of evaporated water was tracked by measuring the weight of the evaporated solution. The evaporated solution was cooled to 25 °C, and the active agent, 10 g of imidacloprid, was then added during stirring. Thereby, a composition having a mass of 1282 g and a final moisture content of 22 % by weight was obtained.

The 1000 grams of dry matter comprised by the composition according to the present example comprises 10 grams of active agent - which is, as in case of the above comparative examples, imidacloprid -, and further comprises 10 grams of gelatin. The dry matter content of the composition according to the present example further consists of 750 grams of fructose and 230 grams of inverted sugar. In addition to the dry matter content the composition according to the present example comprises a moisture content amounting to 22 % by weight that in the present embodiment is constituted by water. Accordingly, the dry matter content is 78 % by weight relative to the weight of the composition, implying that the composition according to Example 6 comprises 282 grams of water in addition to the 1000 grams of dry matter content. The composition according to the present example comprises 750 grams of fructose, which is complemented by the fructose content amounting to essentially half of the inverted sugar content, while glucose content is only provided essentially by the other half of the inverted sugar content. Such a low glucose content cannot deteriorate the effect of the relatively high fructose content falling in the range according to the invention. In accordance with that, the outstandingly favourable effect stability and other favourable properties of the composition according to the invention will be present. EXAMPLE 7

In a manner analogous to the process described in relation to Example 6, the above described method was applied for producing a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 7:

Table 7

The ingredients and their amounts of the dry matter content of the composition according to the present example are detailed in Table 7. Accordingly, in addition to the 10 grams of active agent (constituted, as in case of the composition according to Example 6, by imidacloprid) and 10 grams of gelatin, the 1000 grams of dry matter comprised by the composition according to the present example consists of 480 grams of fructose and 500 grams of inverted sugar. The fructose content of the inverted sugar (corresponding to half of the total inverted sugar amount) adds up to the 480 grams of fructose comprised by the composition according to the present example, and thus the fructose content of the composition according to the present example is way above 50 % by weight, fulfilling the composition requirements for ingredients and their amount set by the invention. The present example therefore illustrates an embodiment wherein the composition according to the invention comprises a portion of the fructose content in the form of inverted sugar. The effects of the high fructose content cannot be countered by the glucose content - amounting to approximately 25 % by weight of the entire dry matter content - which partially makes up the inverted sugar, and thereby the high fructose content can fully have its effect on the effect stability, resulting in an outstanding value thereof. EXAMPLE 8

Applying the above described method, i.e. in a manner analogous to the process described in Example 6, a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 8 was produced.

Table 8

As far as the sugar content is concerned, the ingredients and their amounts of the composition according to the present example are the same as that of the composition according to Example 6, but in case of the present example 1000 grams of the dry matter content comprise 2 grams (instead of 10 grams) of active agent, and 18 g of gelatin (instead of the 10 g comprised by the composition according to Example 6).

EXAMPLE 9

Applying the above described method, i.e. in a manner analogous to the process described in Example 6, a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 9 was produced.

Table 9

As with the compositions according to Examples 6 and 7, the dry matter content of the composition according to the invention comprises 10 g of active agent and 10 g of gelatin. In addition to that, the dry matter content is made up of 280 g of beet sugar and 700 g of fructose. The sugar content therefore comprises only disaccharides in addition to fructose, the only monosaccharide ingredient being fructose.

EXAMPLE 10 In a manner analogous to the process described in relation to Example 6, the above described method was applied for producing a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 10: ingredients and their amounts

material quantity [g] weight %

beet sugar 0 0 glucose 0 0 fructose 0 0 molasses 0 0 cane sugar 0 0 inverted sugar 980 98 brown sugar 0 0 gelatin 10 1 active agent 10 1

total 1000 100

Table 10

In addition to the 10 grams of active agent and 10 grams of gelatin, the composition according to Example 10 comprises 980 grams of inverted sugar. The inverted sugar applied in the composition according to the example consists of equal amounts of fructose and glucose, so the composition according to the present example comprises 490 grams of both fructose and glucose.

EXAMPLE 1 1

Tests carried out with the compositions according to Examples 1 -10 - test results

Testing was carried out under the following experimental conditions: The stability tests of the compositions presented in the above examples were carried out at the rH values specified in Tables 12-21 at 25 °C in incubators having 5-mm-thick glass covers. For the time of the experiments the incubators were stored outdoors, exposed to the effects of sunlight. The incubators are adapted for tracking the consistency and other properties of the different composition samples under controlled conditions (constant humidity etc.) during the test period. Thereby, the samples underwent an "aging" process in the incubators.

Another part of test results was obtained by removing the samples from the incubator (or, in case more than one relative humidity values were tested, from the incubators) at specific intervals (in the experiments according to the examples, once in every week), and placing them in another container or multiple containers, wherein the insects to be killed had been prepared. In case of the experiments herein described the second containers were 50-litre terrariums wherein 100-100 housefly pupae were made to hatch each week (i.e. every week 100 flies were available in each terrarium). A dose of each composition according to the comparative examples, as well as a dose of each composition according to the invention presented in the examples, were applied to a respective 5*5-cm square area in the terrariums. After a given period of time (in our tests, two hours) passed, we established how many flies of the 100 were killed as a consequence of consuming the compositions, and this kill rate was given as the value of efficacy (i.e. the number of flies that were killed of the original 100). When the wait period was over, the samples were removed from the terrariums and the dead and living flies were counted.

Table 1 1 Besides efficacy and consistency the initial moisture content is also given in Table

11. Table 1 1 comprises the data measurable after the test time (in our tests, 2 hours) has elapsed after the first application of the compositions according to the invention (that is, the results of the so-called initial test). According to Table 1 1 , (in correspondence with the above discussion) moisture content is 22 % by weight relative to the weight of the composition for all compositions according to the comparative examples (Comparative Examples 1-5) and for the compositions of the examples according to the invention (Examples 6-10). The combination of Tables 5-10 and Table 1 1 shows that, at the time of initial application, the examples according to the invention fulfil the requirements set by the invention (they have adequate ingredients and corresponding amounts, and moisture content). During the experiment, the moisture content may change - although in many cases only slightly - implying that the composition can fall out of the moisture content range specified according to the invention. As it will be seen in relation to Example 6, this is not necessarily a problem, provided that the consistency of the composition allows for sufficient efficacy. Of course, from the aspect of the usability of the composition consistency is optimal in case the moisture content remains within the range of 17-25 % by weight (relative to the weight of the composition) specified by the invention. The ratio of dry matter content and moisture content is 78:22 in the compositions illustrated by the examples, in which case, the consistency of the composition was found optimal within the corresponding dry matter content and moisture content ranges of 75-83 % by weight and 17-25 % by weight.

Tables 12-21 comprise the experimental results obtained with the compositions according to the examples presented above, shown in weekly breakdown (results measured 1 week after the initial application of the composition are shown in Table

12, Table 13 comprises the results measured 2 weeks after initial application, and so on until Table 21 which comprises results measured 10 weeks after applying the compositions; the number of weeks elapsed are shown at the top of the table). The experimental results included in Tables 12-21 show the remaining efficacy a few weeks after application of the compositions having the dry matter composition detailed in Tables 1-10 applied at test locations having the indicated relative humidity values. In all of Tables 12-21 the consistency and moisture content values are specified for rH=30 and rH=75 (relative humidity of 30% and 75%). The effect stability seems to correlate with measurable consistency, since - compared to certain compositions according to the comparative examples, exhibiting deliquescing or recrystallising consistencies - the composition according to the invention, having a well-preserved creamy gel consistency, exhibits outstanding effect stability.

Tables 12-21 also comprise data representing the efficacy of the individual compositions. The efficacy value give the percentage of flies that got killed a given period of time (the "test time") after the sample was made available to the flies. Since the number of flies was controlled (the experiments were carried out using a given number of flies in a closed space), the decrease of a given size population in a given time period (the wait time) was scrutinised in each case. Corresponding to the definition of efficacy, the closer the efficacy value is to 100, the more efficient the composition. Initially - except for the blind control sample which did not comprise any active agent - the efficacy value is 100 for all tested materials (because the consistency has not yet started to deteriorate). Evaluating Tables 12- 21 the rate of efficacy degradation during the weeks after initial application can also be detected.

As it can be seen in Tables 12-21 , at the beginning the efficacy is 100 for all the materials except for the blind control sample. The reason for this is that the compositions are so attractive for flies that after initial application of the compositions 100% of the given number of flies are killed during the wait time (in case of the examples, 2 hours). As the compositions undergo "aging", really good efficacy values are shown only by the composition according to the invention. In the three bottommost rows of Table 1 1 and Tables 12-21 the initial data and experimental results of a blind control sample - i.e. a sample which did not comprise any active agent -, and two commercially available compositions. The ingredients and their amounts in the blind control sample is the same as the composition according to Example 6 with the difference that the blind control sample does not comprise any active agent. The data related to the blind control sample are intended to show that the fly killing effect of the compositions according to the invention was provided really by the active agent content and not by other components of the composition.

The two bottommost rows of Tables 1 1 -21 comprise data on two commercially available products. The experimental results are summarised below Tables 12-21 based on the data included therein.

1 week

efficacy at rH=30 at rH=75

moisture

composition moisture consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Comparative

Example 2 100/100 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Comparative

Example 3 100/100 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 22 according to

Comparative

Example 4 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Comparative

Example 5 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 6 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 7 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 8 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 9 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 10 100/100 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 Agita

(commercial) 100/100 pulp N/A pulp N/A

Quick Bayt

(commercial) 100/100 pulp N/A pulp N/A

Table 12

2 weeks

at rH=30 at rH=75

moisture moisture composition efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 100/100 creamy gel 23 creamy gel 25 according to

Comparative

Example 2 100/100 creamy gel 17 creamy gel 23 according to

Comparative

Example 3 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 25 according to

Comparative

Example 4 98/98 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Comparative

Example 5 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 6 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 7 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 8 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 9 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 according to

Example 10 100/100 creamy gel 20 creamy gel 23 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 22 Agita

(commercial) 82/88 "matting" pulp N/A pulp N/A

Quick Bayt desiccating

(commercial) 84/84 pulp N/A brightening pulp N/A

Table 13

3 weeks

at rH=30 at rH=75

moisture

composition moisture efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 27 according to

Comparative

Example 2 100/100 dessicating gel 18 creamy gel 24 according to

Comparative

Example 3 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 27 according to

Comparative

Example 4 92/92 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Comparative

Example 5 95/95 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 6 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 7 100/100 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 8 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 9 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 10 100/100 creamy gel 19 creamy gel 24 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 Agita desiccating brightening

(commercial) 68/84 pulp N/A pulp N/A

Quick Bayt crystalline

(commercial) N/A / N/A powder N/A fluid pulp N/A

Table 14

4 weeks

at rH=30 at rH=75

moisture moisture composition efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 95/95 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 28 according to

Comparative

Example 2 85/95 crystallising gel creamy gel 24 according to

Comparative

Example 3 95/95 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 28 according to

Comparative

Example 4 85/85 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Comparative

Example 5 88/90 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 6 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 7 100/100 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 8 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 9 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 10 95/95 creamy gel 18 creamy gel 24 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 Agita crystalline

(commercial) N/A / 78 powder N/A liquescent pulp N/A

Quick Bayt

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 15

5 weeks

at rH= 30 at rH=75

moistur moisture e composition efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 95/81 creamy gel 21 gel-like 30 according to

Comparative crystalline /

Example 2 N/A / 92 unsuitable N/A creamy gel 24 according to

Comparative

Example 3 95/95 creamy gel 22 gel-like 29 according to

Comparative

Example 4 72/72 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Comparative

Example 5 84/84 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 6 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 7 100/100 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 8 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 9 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 10 95/92 creamy gel 17 creamy gel 24 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 Agita

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Quick Bayt

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 16

6 weeks

at rH =30 at rH=75

moistur moisture e composition efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative deliquescent

Example 1 93/74 creamy gel 21 gel 35+ according to

Comparative

Example 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 3 95 / 92 creamy gel 21 gel-like 31 according to

Comparative

Example 4 60/58 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Comparative

Example 5 74/74 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 6 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 7 100/100 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 8 99/99 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 9 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 according to

Example 10 93/90 creamy gel 16 creamy gel 25 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 23 Agita

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Quick Bayt

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 17

7 weeks

at rH=30 at rH=75

moisture moisture composition efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 89/68 creamy gel 20 unsuitable N/A according to

Comparative

Example 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 3 92 / 88 creamy gel 20 deliquescent gel 34 according to

Comparative

Example 4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 5 60/60 N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Example 6 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 7 100/100 creamy gel 20 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 8 98/98 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 9 100/100 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 24 according to crystallising

Example 10 93/89 gel 15 creamy gel 26 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 24 Agita

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Quick Bayt

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 18

8 weeks

at rH=30 at rH=75

moisture moisture composition efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 3 92 / 85 creamy gel 20 unsuitable 35+ according to

Comparative

Example 4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Example 6 98/98 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 7 98/98 creamy gel 20 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 8 95/95 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 9 98/98 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 24 according to crystallising

Example 10 92/88 gel 14 creamy gel 26 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 22 creamy gel 24 Agita

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Quick Bayt

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 19

9 weeks

at rH=30 at rH=75

moisture moisture composition efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 3 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Example 6 97/97 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 7 97/97 creamy gel 20 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 8 93/93 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 9 97/97 creamy gel 20 creamy gel 24 according to

Example 10 90/85 crystallising gel 13 creamy gel 27 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 24 Agita

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Quick Bayt

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 20

10 weeks

at rH=30 at rH=75

moisture moisture composition efficacy consistency consistency

content content according to

Comparative

Example 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 3 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Comparative

Example 5 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A according to

Example 6 97/97 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 25 according to

Example 7 97/97 creamy gel 20 creamy gel 25 according to

Example 8 93/93 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 25 according to

Example 9 97/97 creamy gel 19 creamy gel 25 according to crystallising

Example 10 88/83 gel/ unsuitable 13- creamy gel 28 blind control 0/0 creamy gel 21 creamy gel 25 Agita

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Quick Bayt

(commercial) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 21

The abbreviation "N/A" in the tables means that no data were available because the experiment was not be carried on due to the composition of the given example becoming unsuitable for further use. The abbreviation "13-" means that the moisture content fell below 13 % by weight, while the + sign after a figure indicates that the given value was exceeded by the composition.

In the rows of Tables 12-21 corresponding to Comparative Example 1 , the effect stability of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 which is included in the tests for the purposes of comparison with the invention can be followed. In case of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 , a gradual increase in moisture content was detected at an rH of 75 (at a relative humidity of 75) as more and more test weeks have passed. At such humidity values the moisture content (in case of the present examples, water content) of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 was increasing rapidly, while the figures representing efficacy were falling continually. The reduction of efficacy results from the degradation of the active agent, which starts together with the deterioration of consistency. This implies that the composition according to Comparative Example 1 is not able to retain the active agent in a stable manner for a prolonged period of time. In case of Comparative Example 1 , after 5 weeks (cf. Table 16) efficacy fell to 95/81 (data measured at rH=30 / rH=75), while after 6 weeks (cf. Table 17) it already fell to a value of 93/74. During week six the water content of the composition was more than 35 % by weight at an rH of 75; the consistency of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 at that humidity being deliquescent gel-like. Until week seven (cf. Table 18) the efficacy deteriorates further (to 89/68); at the same time the consistency of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 becoming completely unsuitable for further use (due to complete deliquescing). The carrier of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 thereby becomes completely liquid, spreads out and desiccates, disadvantageously causing the active agent - in case it does not degrade in the process - to become a solid residue.

Therefore, after week 8 no data could be gathered on the composition according to Comparative Example 1 (cf. Tables 19-21). It is important to note that the efficacy of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 shows a drastic reduction from as early on as week 4 (see Table 15 and below). Beet sugar and molasses, which make up the bulk of the dry matter content of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 , therefore, are not capable of providing a sufficient effect stability. In accordance with the above, this can be explained by that the fructose content of the composition according to Comparative Example 1 is low, the composition according to Comparative Example 1 comprising predominantly disaccharides.

Due to its high glucose content, the composition according to Comparative Example 2 is also prone to recrystallisation, the higher glucose content resulting in a "crystallising gel" consistency at an rH of 30 as early as test week 4 (cf. Table 15). By week 5, the composition according to Comparative Example 2 has become unsuitable for further application (cf. Table 16).

The next line of Tables 12-21 comprise results obtained from tests with the composition according to Comparative Example 3. As with the composition of Comparative Example 1 , the composition according to Comparative Example 3 comprises disaccharides to a large extent (in the form of cane sugar). Because cane sugar is not capable of providing a prolonged effect stability, the composition according to Comparative Example 3 also deliquesces in a manner similar to Comparative Example 1. The water content of the composition according to Comparative Example 3 also increases at an rH of 75 as test weeks pass, its consistency at rh 75 being "gel"-like on week 5 (cf. Table 16), then by week 7 it becomes "deliquescing gel" with the moisture content having significantly increased to 34 % by weight (cf. Table 18). In parallel with the deterioration of consistency, the efficacy of the composition according to the example is also significantly deteriorated, especially at an rH of 75 in a manner similar to Comparative Example 1. In case a given exemplary composition becomes unsuitable for use at one of the two tested relative humidity values, then it is declared completely unsuitable because usability cannot depend on the actual relative humidity. In order for a given composition to be regarded functional (operable), it must be suitable for use at both tested humidity values simultaneously. The 5th composition-related row of Tables 12-21 shows results as a function of time obtained from tests with the composition according to Comparative Example 4. The dry matter content of the composition according to Comparative Example 4 is provided predominantly (98 % by weight of the dry matter content) by molasses. In contrast with the composition according to the invention, with such ingredients and corresponding amounts it is not possible to stably retain the active agent for a prolonged period of time. Accordingly, the efficacy of the composition according to Comparative Example 4 starts to deteriorate relatively quickly already at the beginning of the use period (2nd week: 98/98, 3rd week: 92/92, 4th week: 85/85, and on week 6 only 60/58). This means that in the course of week 6 the material becomes unsuitable for further use. Besides the reduction of efficacy, a slow change in moisture content can also be detected.

Molasses predominantly comprises disaccharides and can only comprise low amounts of fructose that would contribute to prolonging the effect stability and thereby to preventing the active agent from degradation. Molasses may also comprise low amounts of glucose. Thereby, the composition according to Comparative Example 4 can only show a rapidly deteriorating characteristics as far as efficacy is concerned.

The dry matter content of the composition according to Comparative Example 5 consists of brown sugar - which comprises cane sugar and molasses - in 75 % by weight. These components mainly consist of disaccharides, and thus they are not capable of prolonging the effect stability. As with the previous comparative examples, the efficacy of the composition according to this comparative example also shows a considerable decrease with the number of weeks passed, but the rate of reduction of efficacy is slower than what was shown by the composition according to Comparative Example 5. The subsequent rows of Tables 12-21 show the behaviour of the above presented embodiments of the composition according to the invention. The composition according to Example 6 exhibits long effect stability with passing weeks. Its moisture content (in case of the exemplary compositions according to the invention, water content) staying at the initially set 22 % by weight value in a very stable manner. Efficacy starts to deteriorate to a very small extent only on week 8 (changing from 100/100 to 98/98; cf. Table 19). The water content of the composition is then 22 % by weight at an rH of 30, and 24 % by weight at an rH of 75, very close to the initial values, showing a slight change (increase) at the higher relative humidity value. The efficacy value of the composition according to Example 6 excellent even during week 10 at 97/97, moisture content also staying within the desired ranges for both tested relative humidity values (cf. Table 21 ). Consistency is appropriate (creamy gel) during the entire test period.

The composition according to Example 7 exhibits effect stability results that are very similar to the values measured with the composition according to Example 6. The moisture content of the composition according to Example 7 changes to a slightly greater extent with time compared to the composition according to Example 6. However, in sum of the above it can be maintained that the exemplary compositions according to the invention perform outstandingly in comparison with the other tested examples. The exemplary compositions according to the invention have an appropriate efficacy even at the end of the 10-week test period (i.e. the composition according to the invention can fulfil its function even weeks later than that, cf. Table 21). In contrast to that, all of the compositions applied for purposes of comparison (Comparative Examples 1-5) with the composition according to the invention become unsuitable for use during the 10-week test period.

Analysing the experimental results of Tables 12-21 , it can be seen that the compositions according to Examples 6 and 8, differing only in active agent (and gelatin) content, give identical results for consistency and water content (these properties are determined by the ingredients and their amount of the sugar content), while the measured efficacy of the composition according to Example 8 is lower than the efficacy of the composition according to Example 6, corresponding to its lower active agent content. The efficacy of the composition according to Example 8 is still very high, even after 10 weeks (93/93, cf. Table 21 ). The experimental data may help to properly selecting the active agent content of the composition.

As it can be understood by contemplating the corresponding rows of Tables 12-21 , the composition according to Example 9 has similarly outstanding efficacy values, even at the end of the 10-week test period, as the compositions according to Examples 6 and 7. This supports the observation that the disaccharide component does not deteriorate the efficacy-stabilising effect induced by the fructose content. The efficacy-stabilising effect can be reduced slightly only in case in addition to the required fructose content aldose, or a special type thereof, aldohexose (cf. Example 10), is present in an overly high extent (more than 30 % by weight of the dry matter content).

Of the illustrated examples, the composition according to Example 10 has the lowest fructose content; the fructose content according to Example 10 is 49 % by weight relative to the weight of the dry matter content. In accordance with that, as it is shown by the experimental results included in the corresponding rows of Tables 12-21 , compositions having such a low fructose content (and at the same time, such high glucose content) stay efficient for a shorter period of time. Compared to the compositions according to the comparative examples, the composition according to Example 10 still possesses outstanding effect stability, becoming unsuitable for use only after 10 weeks. By week 0 its consistency will have changed and its efficacy will have been reduced, but in comparison with the comparative examples and with the commercially available compositions its effect stability is outstandingly long. These conclusions are supported by the data included in the two bottommost rows of Table 2, representing the efficacy values of known compositions. We have tested two known, commercially available compositions, namely Agita and Quick Bayt. Both Agita and Quick Bayt are water-soluble granules which can be applied especially by wiping/rubbing in the form of a pulp or thin pulp, and typically have an active agent of 0.5-10 % by weight relative to the weight of the products. As shown in Table 1 1 , these compositions have a pulp-like initial consistency. Their water content was not specified, because thanks to the pulp-like consistency they comprise little water, and thus the exact value of the moisture content of these compositions is irrelevant for testing their efficacy. One week after the initial application both commercially available compositions have an efficacy of 100/100, but during the subsequent test weeks their efficacy falls rapidly, while their consistency changes, too. After two weeks, Agita shows a "matting pulp" consistency, and Quick Bayt shows a "desiccating pulp" consistency at an rH of 30. Meanwhile, at an rH of 75 Agita retains it pulpy consistency (efficacy is 82/88), and Quick Bayt has a "brightening pulp" consistency (efficacy is 84/84). After three weeks, consistency has deteriorated further, Quick Bayt becoming unsuitable for use with a "crystalline powder" consistency at an rH of 30. At the same rH of 30, Agita became unsuitable after four weeks by assuming a "crystalline powder" consistency. While these commercially available products stay suitable for use for a bit longer at an rH of 75, after 3-4 weeks a deliquescing consistency can be detected at this relative humidity as well. After these compositions became recrystallised or deliquesced, testing was not carried on as the compositions became unsuitable for further use. After three or four weeks, their efficacy also becomes reduced to low values. It can be concluded that the composition according to the invention shows considerably better performance than the commercially available compositions, especially if efficacy is also included in the comparison in addition to consistency. It should be emphasised that, while the efficacy of the tested commercially available compositions falls to a value near 80 in two weeks, the compositions according to the invention possess an efficacy near 100 even after ten weeks.

In case of the commercially available compositions, therefore, a crystalline powder-like consistency appears already after a few weeks, the powder being present in free-form, in high concentrations.

EXAMPLE 12 Producing a composition comprising fragrance Applying the above described method, i.e. in a manner analogous to the process described in Example 6, a composition having a moisture content of 22 % by weight, and having the dry matter composition according to Table 22 was prepared. In a manner similar to the addition of the active agent, the fragrance was added to the carrier.

The composition having the dry matter ingredients and corresponding amounts according to Table 22 below comprises a fragrance suitable for attracting pests, i.e. in this case, flies. In the present example the fragrance is tricosene, a pheromone. The ingredients and their amounts of the composition according to the present example is only slightly different from the composition of Example 6, comprising slightly less inverted sugar, with the 1000 g of the dry matter content also comprising 10 grams of tricosene. As with the other examples, the composition according to this example also comprises 282 g of water. Compared to the composition of Example 6 the slightly lower inverted sugar content of the composition of Example 1 1 essentially does not deteriorate the effect stability and the efficacy properties of the composition.

Table 22

EXAMPLE 13

Applying the above described method, i.e. in a manner analogous to the process described in Example 6, compositions A-G, having a moisture content of 22 % by weight and the dry matter composition according to Tables 23A and 23B were prepared. In addition to the appropriate amount of fructose, these compositions further comprised different sugars. The sugars applied in these compositions were selected from the group comprising beet sugar, molasses, cane sugar, and brown sugar. The addition of such sugars to the composition is advantageous because they have essentially no effect on the effect stability, but they can be purchased very cheaply, at much lower prices than fructose. In case, therefore, the fraction of the composition not constituted by fructose (or fructose and glucose collectively) is provided by such sugars, then the resulting composition is very cost-efficient in addition to having a favourable effect stability. In addition to that, in specific cases the compositions also comprise inverted sugar, which yields a significant amount of the fructose content.

Table 23A dry matter

ingredients and Composition Composition Composition their amount E F G

material quantity [g] quantity [g] quantity [g] beet sugar 0 130 150 glucose 0 0 0 fructose 200 300 480 molasses 0 0 150 cane sugar 150 0 0 inverted sugar 580 550 0 brown sugar 0 0 0 gelatin 10 10 10 starch syrup 50 0 200

active agent 10 10 10 total 1000 1000 1000

Table 23B

In addition to the sugars referred to above as added components, the compositions D, E, G also comprise starch syrup.

EXAMPLE 14 Experiments illustrating the resistance to UV light were also performed.

The experiments involving UV irradiation were carried out inside a quartz reactor using a 125-watt medium-pressure mercury-vapor lamp, at 25°C, utilising instrumental analytics. A reactor having quartz walls was applied in order that the reactor walls let through the entire light spectrum, i.e. that the reactor walls do not filter out the UV part of the spectrum. The results of these experiments are comprised in Tables 24A and 24B below. Table 24A comprises results for a testing duration of 0-80 minutes, while Table 24B shows data for a testing duration of 90- 270 minutes. The values given in the tables illustrate the degradation process of the active agent, specifying the amount (in percents) of the active agent still available (i.e. not yet degraded) after the given UV irradiation time has elapsed. Because the radiation power density of natural UV sources is much lower than the radiation power density of the above specified UV light source, under natural conditions the active agent of the composition according to the invention degrades much more slowly. The reason for applying such a high-power UV source in the experiments presented in Tables 24A-24B was illustrating that in the composition according to the invention the active agent has much higher UV stability than in known compositions. time

5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 composition 0 min min min min min min min min min min aqueous

solution

comprising

0.4 % by

weight of

imidacloprid 100 85 68 48 22 2 0.1 0 0 0 composition

according to

Example 6 100 100 99 98 96 95 93 91 89 87 composition

according to

Example 8 100 100 100 100 96 95 92 90 87 86

Table 24A

Table 24B

In Tables 24A and 24B the behaviour of three different compositions is compared under the conditions detailed above, inside the quartz reactor. It can be discerned from the data of Tables 24A and 24B that, as a result of UV irradiation, the active agent undergoes much faster degradation in the known composition (an aqueous solution comprising 0.4 % by weight of imidacloprid) than in the compositions according to the invention. In the aqueous solution comprising 0.4 % by weight of imidacloprid there is no active agent left after 60 minutes, while in the examples according to the invention the active agent is degraded completely after 270 minutes have passed.