Fire ant colony killer

Abstract

A mechanized system for exterminating and several embodiments thereof are presented. Steam is generated and transported to a movable applicator. The applicator is positioned over a designated area of ground and the steam is applied exterminating the insects on and/or under the designated area of ground.

1 . A mechanized system for exterminating insects on and/or under a designated area of ground comprising:
 a steam power source;   a movable applicator for applying steam to the designated area of ground;   steam transport means for delivering steam from the steam power source to the applicator; and   wherein, when the applicator is moved into position over the designated area of ground and steam is transported from the steam power source to the applicator, insects on and/or under the designated area of ground are exterminated.   
   
   
       2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising;
 means coupled to the movable applicator for remotely controlling the movement of the applicator.   
   
   
       3 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the steam power source comprises:
 a tank for storing a steam source; and   means for converting the steam source into steam.   
   
   
       4 . The system as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the steam source is water. 
   
   
       5 . The system as set forth in  claim 3  further comprising:
 means for sensing the amount of the steam source in the tank.   
   
   
       6 . The system as set forth in  claim 5  further comprising;
 means coupled to the sensing means for shutting off the steam converting means when the steam source has dropped to predetermined level.   
   
   
       7 . The system as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the means for converting the steam source into steam comprises:
 a burner for heating the steam source in the tank for converting the steam source into steam; and   a fuel source coupled to the burner for delivering fuel to the burner.   
   
   
       8 . The system as set forth in  claim 7  further comprising:
 means for igniting the fuel at the burner.   
   
   
       9 . The system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the fuel is a gas. 
   
   
       10 . The system as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the means for converting the steam source into steam comprises:
 one or more electrodes immersed in the steam source in the tank for converting the steam source into steam; and   means for applying electrical power to the electrodes.   
   
   
       11 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising:
 system transport means for transporting the system to and from designated areas of ground.   
   
   
       12 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising:
 means for remotely operating and/or monitoring the system.   
   
   
       13 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising:
 means for manually lowering and raising the applicator.   
   
   
       14 . The system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the means for manually lowering and raising may be used for transporting the system. 
   
   
       15 . A method of exterminating insects on and/or under a designated area of ground with a mechanized system comprising the steps of:
 generating steam;   transporting the steam to an applicator; and   moving the applicator over the designated area of ground.   
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 15  further comprising the step of:
 transporting the mechanized system to and/or from the designated area of ground.