Durable pest-repelling formulations

Abstract

Formulations usable in repelling pests from objects are provided. The formulations contain a tacky polymeric composition and can be aqueous formulations and/or formulation that are devoid of an organic solvent. The formulations exhibit exceptional durability when applied to objects such as plants.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A formulation comprising a tacky polymeric composition, an emulsifying agent or system and water, wherein an amount of said water is at least 20 weight percents of the total weight of the formulation, and wherein a weight ratio of said polymer and said surface active agent or system is at least 10:3, the formulation being devoid of an organic solvent. 
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein said tacky polymeric composition comprises or consists of a tacky polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein said tacky polymer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein an amount of said tacky polymeric composition is at least 40 weight percents of the total weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein said tacky polymeric composition is characterized by tackiness of at least 400 N/m 2 , or at least 480 N/m 2 . 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein an amount of said emulsifying agent or system ranges from 0.1 to 27 weight percents, of the total weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein said emulsifying agent or system features an HLB value lower by at least 5% or by at least 10%, or by at least 20%, from the HLB value required for forming a stable formulation of said tacky polymeric composition and water. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein said emulsifying agent or system features an HLB value lower than 15. 
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 1 , further comprising a thixotropic agent. 
     
     
         10 . A method of repelling a pest from an object, the method comprising applying the formulation of  claim 1  on a surface of the object and/or near at least a portion of the object. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pest is an insect. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said object is a plant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising re-applying the formulation after a first time period, said first time period being at least 1 month. 
     
     
         14 . A formulation comprising a thixotropic agent and a tacky polymeric composition, wherein an amount of said thixotropic agent ranges from 1 to 10 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation, the formulation being devoid of an organic solvent. 
     
     
         15 . The formulation of  claim 14 , being a non-aqueous formulation. 
     
     
         16 . The formulation of  claim 14 , wherein said tacky polymeric composition comprises or consists of a tacky polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The formulation of  claim 16 , wherein said tacky polymer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         18 . The formulation of  claim 14 , being configured for dispensing by brushing or smearing, wherein an amount of said thixotropic agent ranges from 3 to 7 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation, and an amount of said tacky polymeric composition ranges from 50 to 70 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         19 . The formulation of  claim 14 , being configured for dispensing by spraying, wherein an amount of said thixotropic agent ranges from 5 to 10 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation, and an amount of said tacky polymeric composition ranges from 80 to 95 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         20 . A method of repelling a pest from a plant, the method comprising applying the formulation of  claim 14  to a trunk of the plant, thereby repelling the pest from the plant. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said pest is an insect. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said applying is by brushing or smearing, and wherein an amount of said thixotropic agent ranges from 3 to 7 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation, and an amount of said tacky polymeric composition ranges from 50 to 70 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said applying is by spraying, and wherein an amount of said thixotropic agent ranges from 5 to 10 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation, and an amount of said tacky polymeric composition ranges from 80 to 95 percent by weight of the total weight of the formulation. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising re-applying the formulation after a first time period, said first time period being at least 1 month.