Aquatic organism treatment method and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and the associated method which includes means for controlling an invasive organism. The means including a trolling apparatus, for attachment to an associated vehicle. The trolling apparatus is pulled through a body of water in response to movement of the associated vehicle. The housing carries a plurality of UV-C light sources for producing UV-C light at a wavelength of substantially 254 nm, whereby invasive organisms proximate to light emanating from at least one of said UV-C light source whereby invasive organisms are exposed to UV-C light at a wavelength of substantially 254 nm resulting in controlling an invasive organism. Other embodiments, attract organisms such as mosquitos and then expose them to UV-C light. The invention facilitates reduced use of herbicide.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus which comprises: means for controlling an invasive aquatic organism, said means including a trolling apparatus for trolling through a body of water, for attachment to an associated vehicle, said trolling apparatus having a housing having a means for attachment to an associated vehicle, such that the housing is pulled through a body of water in response to movement of the associated vehicle, said housing further including a surface;
 a plurality of UV-C light sources for producing UV-C light at a wavelength of substantially 254 nm, carried on said surface whereby invasive organisms proximate to light emanating from at least one of said UV-C light source whereby invasive organisms are exposed to UV-C light at a wavelength of substantially 254 nm resulting in controlling an invasive organism.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein said trolling apparatus has a surface that is elongated and dimensioned and disposed for movement in a direction that is aligned with the direction of elongation thereof. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein said trolling apparatus has a surface that is flexible enough to at least partially conform to an irregular surface on which an invasive organism is disposed whereby the increased effectiveness of the UV-C light is achieved because of the greater proximity. 
     
     
         4 . The trolling apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of UV-C light sources are LED devices. 
     
     
         5 . The trolling apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein said means for attachment cooperates with an associated hoist to facilitate lifting of said surface, followed by lateral movement and depositing said surface in a different part of a virtual grid defined on a body of water. 
     
     
         6 . A method which comprises: providing means for controlling an invasive aquatic organism, providing means for controlling that includes a trolling apparatus, providing an attachment for an associated vehicle, providing the trolling apparatus with a housing having a means for attachment to an associated vehicle, whereby the housing is pulled through a body of water in response to movement of the associated vehicle, providing the housing with a surface; and
 providing a plurality of UV-C light sources for producing UV-C light at a wavelength of substantially 254 nm, including providing the light sources on the surface whereby invasive organisms proximate to light emanating from at least one of said UV-C light source whereby invasive organisms are exposed to UV-C light at a wavelength of substantially 254 nm resulting in controlling an invasive organism.   
     
     
         7 . The method as described in  claim 6  wherein the step of providing a trolling apparatus includes providing a surface that is elongated and dimensioned and disposed for movement in a direction that is aligned with the direction of elongation thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method as described in  claim 6  wherein the step of providing a trolling apparatus includes providing the apparatus with a surface that is flexible enough to at least partially conform to an irregular surface on which an invasive organism is disposed whereby the increased effectiveness of the UV-C light is achieved because of the greater proximity. 
     
     
         9 . The method as described in  claim 6  wherein the step of providing a plurality of UV-C light sources includes providing LED light sources. 
     
     
         10 . The means as described in  claim 6  as described in  claim 6  wherein the step of providing means for attachment cooperates with an associated hoist to facilitate lifting of said surface, followed by lateral movement and depositing said surface in a different part of a virtual grid defined on a body of water. 
     
     
         11 . A method which comprises: providing means for controlling mosquitos, which comprises providing means for attracting mosquitos with UV-C light and means for controlling mosquitos that includes utilizing UV-C light as well as any larval proximate to the mosquitos. 
     
     
         12 . A method as described in  claim 11  further including providing a solar collector to power the UV-C light. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 12  further including providing means for storing electrical power, provided by the solar collector, and selected from the group consisting of a battery and a capacitor. 
     
     
         14 . A method which comprises: providing means for controlling mosquitos, which comprises providing means for attracting mosquitos with movement of physical structure and means for controlling mosquitos that includes utilizing UV-C light exposure as well as utilizing UV-C light exposure to the boxes any larval proximate to the mosquitos. 
     
     
         15 . A method as described in  claim 14  further including providing a solar collector to power the UV-C light. 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 15  further including providing means for storing electrical power, provided by the solar collector, selected from the group consisting of a battery and a capacitor. 
     
     
         17 . A method which comprises: providing means for controlling mosquitoes which comprises:
 means for attracting mosquitoes selected from the group consisting of providing UV light, dark colors including but not limited to black, CO 2 , a particular scent, body heat, warm temperatures, object movement, and air motion;   means for controlling mosquitos that are attracted that includes exposing the attracted mosquitoes to UV-C light as well as exposing any larval proximate to the mosquitos to UV-C light.   
     
     
         18 . The method as described  claim 17  further including providing a solar collector to power the UV-C light. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 18  further including providing means for storing electrical power, provided by the solar collector, selected from the group consisting of a battery and a capacitor.