月: 2023年2月

What Is a Scoop?

A scoop is a tool used for digging and scooping earth and sand.

A shovel is also sometimes called a shovel, but the JIS standard clearly distinguishes between the two. Specifically, a shovel is defined as a tool with a flat blade that can be pushed deeper into the soil by placing a foot on it, while a shovel is defined as a tool with a curved blade that cannot be placed on a foot and has a straight tip.

Uses of Scoops

Scoops are used for agricultural and civil engineering work, as well as for gardening, digging up soil in the garden, and planting and transplanting garden plants. Another use is for mixing soil and fertilizer.

Scoops used for gardening and other gardening purposes are often small enough to be used with one hand. Therefore, shovels can be easily used for digging holes for planting seedlings or transplanting seedlings.

Scoops used for shoveling snow in areas where there is snowfall are called snow shovels. Scoops are also useful for shoveling ashes from a fire pit or fire pit, or for digging trenches.

Features of Scoops

Advantages

Scoops can be used to dig up large amounts of soil at a time or to make just the right hole for planting saplings. Scoops also allow you to work without getting your hands dirty.

Disadvantages

Scoops according to JIS standards are shaped in such a way that you cannot put your foot on the top of the blade, so you cannot dig with your body weight. Therefore, if you want to dig up a large area of soil, you should use a shovel that allows you to put your feet on top of the blade to reduce the burden on your arms.

Types of Scoops

1. Sword-Shaped

A shovel with a pointed tip is called a sword-shaped shovel. Because the tip is pointed, the shovel can dig comfortably even on hard ground or ground covered with weeds and other roots. If the tip becomes rounded after long use, it can be brought back to sharpness by grinding.

2. Square Type

A flat tip is called a square tip. Because of its large area, it is ideal for scooping and transporting large quantities of soil or other materials at a time. It is also useful for mixing soil and fertilizer.

3. Perforated Type

A perforated type is a type with holes in it. They are useful for scooping wet soil, as water can fall out through the holes. Also, when carrying sticky soil, it is difficult for soil to remain in the scoop. Another advantage is that the holes are lightweight, which reduces fatigue from the work.

4. Empi

A shovel with an elongated vertical shape is called an empi. They are strong and can dig deep holes, making them suitable for planting saplings. Also, its long and narrow shape offers less resistance when digging in the soil, making it easier to dig a hole than other types.

How to Select a Scoop

Since there are many different types of Scoops, it is important to choose the right one for your purpose. A collapsible scoop is suitable if you want to use it on the go or keep it in your car at all times.

Scoops also vary in properties depending on the material they are made of. If strength is important, a stainless steel shovel is recommended; if lightness is important, an aluminum shovel is recommended; and if a plastic shovel is used for shoveling snow, a plastic shovel is recommended.

How to Use a Scoop

Scoops are mainly used to dig up the soil. In agricultural work, shovels are useful for tilling the soil, mixing in fertilizer, and planting saplings. Efficient work can be done by using a large scoop and a small one that can be used with one hand.

What Is a Coupler?

A coupler is a nozzle at the end of a hose or a connection between hoses.

It is made of metal, and a little damage to the body will not cause damage or loss of performance. A wide variety of sizes are available to match the diameter of the hose to be connected.

The coupler can be easily connected to or disconnected from the grease nipple by squeezing the lever on the main body of the coupler. The coupler supplies grease to the grease nipple without waste and helps improve the efficiency of greasing operations.

Uses for Couplers

Couplers are often used when watering agricultural fields or applying liquid fertilizer. They are necessary to secure a nozzle to the end of a hose. In addition, the hoses can be connected and their lengths can be freely adjusted, even in remote areas.

The hose can be used in any agricultural area, but it is most useful in areas and seasons where rainfall is relatively low and water is supplied by sprinkling. The connection itself is a one-touch connection and is an effective tool because it does not leak. Since it does not require special tools or force, it can be handled by women, children, and older people with arm strength.

Features of Couplers

Pros

Couplers have the advantage that anyone can quickly and easily connect and disconnect pipes and hoses. They can also be attached precisely with a single touch without the need for difficult operations, eliminating the risk of leakage.

The socket and plug are locked by fitting them together, and the valve opens and closes automatically as they are attached and detached. Thus, while liquids and other liquids flow when connected, they automatically stop and do not leak when the coupler is disconnected.

Although rarely used in agriculture, they can be used to transport not only liquids but also gases and oil, making them useful in a variety of situations.

Disadvantages

Couplers must be the right size for the diameter of the hose or pipe. Because they are not adjustable, they cannot be used with hoses or pipes of different diameters.

Before purchasing a coupler, measure the diameter in advance, and also be careful when replacing hoses.

Types of Couplers

Couplers are available in a variety of sizes to match the diameter of the hose or pipe.

Materials include silicone, steel, brass, and stainless steel. When used in the field, you do not need to worry too much about the temperature of the liquid because the temperature change of the liquid is small, but you need to consider whether it is suitable for the temperature of the liquid to be flowed.

How to Select a Coupler

The most important factor in choosing a coupler is its diameter. Since the size cannot be adjusted after purchase, it is necessary to measure the diameter of the hose or pipe and select the correct size.

Also, different materials can handle different temperatures of fluids, so it is important to check carefully before selecting the right one. The pressure of the fluid must also be considered. If the pressure is considered to be strong, a product with excellent pressure resistance should be selected.

When connecting two hoses, a standard straight coupler is used, but if three hoses need to be connected, a coupler for three hoses should be selected.

How to use a Coupler

Couplers consist of a male part called a plug and a female part called a socket. Each plug is attached to a hose, and the couplers are connected. When you want to stop the flow, disconnect the couplers and the valve will automatically close to stop the flow.

If the couplers on the hoses you want to connect are either male or female, you will not be able to connect them. However, some products have male or female couplers on both ends for connecting these hoses.

Currently, many couplers can be connected with a one-touch connection, allowing for easy installation and use. If the coupler is not installed properly or is shallow, the pressure of the fluid may cause the coupler to come off, leading to an accident. It is important to confirm that the coupler is securely attached before starting to use it.

What Is a Hydroponic System?

A hydroponic system is a method of cultivating crops without soil. It involves growing plants using various techniques such as water culture, solid media, and spray culture.

Uses of Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponic systems, unlike traditional soil-based cultivation, allow almost complete artificial control of the growing environment. They are commonly used in plastic greenhouses and vegetable factories, offering advantages in facility investment and reduced daily labor compared to soil cultivation.

Types of Hydroponic Systems

1. Hydroponics

In hydroponics, crops grow with their roots immersed in a nutrient-rich water solution. This method is ideal for indoor cultivation with LED lighting, suitable for plants like leafy greens, spring onions, and lettuce due to their short harvest cycles.

2. Solid Media Cultivation

This method uses inorganic materials such as rock wool or organic materials like coconut shells as a growth medium. It’s effective for cultivating fruits, vegetables, and flowers, including peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, and roses.

3. Spray Cultivation

Spray cultivation nourishes crops by misting the roots with a nutrient solution. It requires less water and fertilizer and is suitable for various crops, including leafy greens, tomatoes, and strawberries.

How to Choose Hydroponic Systems

The choice of hydroponic system should align with the specific needs of the crops. For instance, crops with short growth cycles like lettuce benefit more from water-based hydroponics than solid media cultivation.

Characteristics of Hydroponic Systems

Advantages

1. Reduced Disease Risk: The absence of soil lowers the risk of disease and crop failure, eliminates the need for soil disinfection, and reduces labor-intensive tasks like plowing and weeding.

2. Faster Harvest Time: Hydroponic systems enable rapid growth and shortened harvest times through precise control of water and nutrients, reducing plant stress and potentially increasing crop quality.

3. Scalability: Hydroponics allows for large-scale cultivation with stable crop quality, independent of natural environmental factors, facilitating business stability.

Disadvantages

1. High Initial Costs: The installation of equipment like liquid supply systems can be expensive, with ongoing costs for fertilizers and potential difficulties in recouping initial investments.

2. Specialized Management: These systems require specialized knowledge, especially during power outages or equipment malfunctions, which can quickly affect crops.

3. Disease Propagation: If pathogens enter the irrigation system, they can spread rapidly across the field, necessitating proactive measures.

What Is an Electric Fence?

An electric fence applies an electric current to deter living creatures from touching it. This current, delivered approximately once per second, produces an electric shock upon contact.

Touching an electric fence results in a sensation similar to static electricity. It’s generally harmless if contact is brief and the person quickly withdraws their hand.

Uses of Electric Fences

Electric fences are primarily used to contain livestock and deter pests. Animals tend to avoid electric fences after experiencing shocks, enhancing the fence’s effectiveness.

Features of Electric Fences

Advantages

Electric fences offer the advantage of controlling the movement range of animals. They can deter wild animals from entering certain areas and confine livestock to designated grazing zones.

Disadvantages

The primary disadvantage of electric fences is their cost. This includes both the financial investment and the need for regular maintenance checks.

How to Choose Electric Fences

Selecting the right electric fence depends on its intended use and the target animals. Consider the following when choosing an electric fence:

1. The Perimeter of the Field

Consider the size of your field and ensure the wire length can fully enclose it. Account for any unique terrain or steps, and choose a wire length that accommodates these features, including the required fence height.

2. Target Animals

Select fence posts suitable for the target animals and ensure you have the necessary wire-fixing devices. The positioning and height of the fence posts should be tailored to the specific animals, as follows:

Wild Boar Control: For wild boars, use posts about 3 ft high, spaced approximately 8 inches apart, with two lines of wire.

Deer Control: For deer, use posts at least 6 ft high, spaced 8-10 inches apart, with four lines of wire.

Anti-Monkey Measures: Against monkeys, use posts over 7 ft high, spaced 8-10 inches apart, with five lines of wire.

Other Information About Electric Fences

1. Installation Considerations

Pay attention to the following when installing electric fences:

Grass Interference: Overgrown grass touching the wire can cause electricity leakage. Regularly trim grass around the fence to prevent hiding spots for animals.

Wire Height: Ensure the electric wire is high enough to prevent ground contact, which could disrupt the electrical flow.

Metal Proximity: Metals near electric fences can accidentally conduct electricity. Avoid placing conductive materials, such as metal, close to the fence.

2. Management During Inactivity

When not in use, electric fences are typically dismantled. Leaving them in place without electricity might make animals less fearful of the fences, reducing their effectiveness. If dismantling is not feasible, keep the electricity on and conduct periodic checks.

What Is Steel Wire?

Steel wire is a material made by elongating hard steel wire rods to make them easier to process by hand.

For agricultural use, steel wire is mainly plated on the outer coating, and is characterized by its resistance to rust. Plating is mainly applied with zinc, which has excellent corrosion resistance, and there are grades of plating such as Type 3 and Type 4 plating depending on the amount.

A material similar to steel wire is resin-coated wire. Steel wire or wire is coated with resin, which has a smooth surface that will not damage fruit trees or curtain materials. Steel Wire is less expensive, more widely distributed, and more versatile.

Uses of Steel Wire

Steel wire is used as curtain rails for sheet curtains and other curtains because it can be freely stretched in a variety of locations. Steel wire is also useful in cultivating grapes and other fruits that grow on vines.

By stretching steel wire to cover trees, fruit trees can grow and spread their branches. In addition, the vines will spread out in areas where enough steel wire has been installed to provide sufficient space for work, making harvesting easy.

It is frequently used as a wire with excellent durability and workability suitable for trellising in orchards.

Features of Steel Wire

Pros

Steel wire is soft among wires and is easy to process by individuals. steel wire includes wire, wire rope, cable, and piano wire, each of which has a different shape and strength, and is used in various fields.

In the agricultural field, wire is often used to prepare the environment and equipment in the field. They can be used over a wide area, such as in orchards, and are relatively inexpensive and available among wire materials, so costs can be kept low.

Many galvanized steel wires are deployed, and these have excellent corrosion resistance, so they are rust-resistant and can be used for a long period. They also have excellent appearance and do not damage the landscape of the field.

Covered steel wire for fruit tree trellises is also available with a thicker coating of black plastic for electric wires, providing superior strength, corrosion resistance, and weather resistance.

Disadvantages

Steel wire with a galvanized coating has the disadvantage that chemicals such as acids and alkalis can dissolve the plating. Once the plating is peeled off, it is difficult to make partial repairs, so it is important to use the wire in such a way that it does not come into contact with chemicals.

Steel wire is thin and lightweight, but when used for curtain rails, it may not hold its shape due to the weight if the distance between the wires is too wide. When stretching steel wire, it is necessary to consider not only the length of the steel wire, but also the weight of the vines when using it for vines, and the weight of the sheet curtains when using it as curtain rails, and adjust the number of posts supporting the steel wire.

Types of Steel Wire

Steel wire is used for curtain rails for sheet curtains and orchard shelving, and is available in a variety of fabrication treatments. Examples are galvanized only or galvanized combined with a plastic coating. They are also distinguished by the thickness of the plating.

Steel wire comes in a variety of thicknesses and is used for different purposes depending on the wire diameter. The larger diameter wire is strung as the parent wire, which is used as a standard or post, and the smaller diameter wires are branched off as child wires.

How to Select Steel Wire

There are two points to be checked when selecting steel wire.

1. Plating or Coating Material

Most steel wires are galvanized and are classified into 7 types according to the thickness of the plating. The greater the thickness of the plating, the greater the corrosion resistance, so the choice must be made in accordance with the environment in which the wire will be used.

Products coated with special materials such as black plastic for electric wires are also available, so they can be used for different purposes.

2. Steel Wire Diameter

The wire diameter should be selected based on the size of the load expected to be applied when the wire is used. By selecting a product with a description of the intended use, you can utilize steel wire without making a mistake.

How to Use Steel Wire

Steel wire is used for curtain rails and shelf stretchers. The basic principle is to set up a post in a stable place and stretch it while considering the placement of the parent and child wires. Since it is often coiled and difficult to handle, it is necessary to work with great care.

What Is a Gravimeter?

A gravimeter is a specialized scale used in agriculture to weigh harvested crops. Typically made of stainless steel for rust resistance and easy cleaning, these scales can vary significantly in their maximum load capacity, ranging from a few kilograms to several hundred kilograms. Some models include a sorting function that assists in categorizing produce by weight.

Uses of Gravimeters

Gravimeters are employed for weighing and sorting agricultural produce by weight, making them versatile for various types of crops, as long as the scale specifications match the produce’s weight. They are often used in combination with a box to hold the crops during the weighing process.

Types of Gravimeters

1. Platform Scale Type

Platform scales are commonly used for a wide range of crops and feature a table where items are placed for weighing. Consider the installation location due to their size. There are also foldable models for compact storage.

2. Upper Pan Weigher Type

This type places the item on an upper weighing pan and is available in both analog and digital forms. The digital models may offer wireless communication for managing weighing data and are often dustproof.

3. U-Shape Type

U-shaped gravimeters use a hand-held pallet as a weighing pan, ideal for measuring large quantities of products like rice bags. These models are slim and space-saving.

4. Hanging Scales

Hanging scales measure the mass of items suspended in midair, useful for crops stored in flexible container bags like rice husks and corn. They often come with a controller and display for easy operation.

How to Select a Gravimeters

1. Weighing Range

Choose a gravimeter based on the range of weights it can measure, from light to heavy loads.

2. Minimum Display Unit

Consider the smallest weight increment the gravimeter can display, which varies among different models.

3. Transaction Proof

If the gravimeter is to be used for selling crops by weight, ensure it is certified for transaction proof and undergoes regular inspections as required by the Measurement Law.

Characteristics of Gravimeters

Advantages

Gravimeters aid in accurately determining the weight of agricultural products, facilitating efficient pre-shipment sorting. By selecting an appropriate gravimeter for specific needs, weight measurement becomes more efficient.

Disadvantages

Selecting the wrong type of gravimeter may result in missing necessary functions. It’s important to check the features and storage requirements before use.

Other Information on Gravimeters

Functions of Gravimeters

Gravimeters come with various functionalities, such as:

• Unit Price Calculation: Calculates the price of products based on weight.
• Total Amount Calculation: Computes the total value of multiple items.
• Tare Function: Deducts the weight of packaging materials to measure the net weight of the crop.
• Rank Sorting: Allows detailed sorting by pre-setting weight categories.
• Voice Function: Announces the measured weight and rank, enhancing work efficiency.

What Is a Heat Reflecting Paint?

A heat reflecting paint is a paint that increases the solar reflectance of a house’s exterior walls, roof, and asphalt. By applying heat reflecting paint, sunlight is reflected at a high reflectance, preventing temperature increases and equipment deterioration.

Applying heat reflecting paint to a house increases energy efficiency and saves on utility costs. According to a study by the Ministry of the Environment, applying heat reflecting paint to a roof can lower the room temperature by approximately 1.8°C.

Related to heat reflecting paint is “heat insulating paint. A heat reflecting paint is a paint that increases solar reflectance, whereas insulating paint reduces thermal conductivity. Thermal insulating paints are effective against both heat and cold.

Uses of Heat Reflecting Paints

Heat reflecting paints, officially called high solar reflectance paint, is used to avoid increases in indoor air temperature by reflecting the sun’s heat. It is mainly used for roofing, exterior walls, waterproof surfaces, and other four applications.

1. For Roofs / Exterior Walls

Heat reflecting paints for roofs and exterior walls are generally made of resins such as urethane. Applying heat reflecting paints to roofs and exterior walls can prevent the room temperature from rising. It also prevents deterioration of the roof and exterior walls to some extent.

2. For Waterproof Surfaces

In addition to roofs and exterior walls, heat reflecting paints may also be used on flat roofs and balconies. Many heat reflecting paints used for these locations have waterproofing properties.

3. Other Applications

In addition to the above applications, heat reflecting paints are used to prevent temperature rises in a variety of other locations, such as corridors and parking lots.

In areas with strong direct sunlight in summer, the effect is even more beneficial. Roof forms that can benefit from heat reflecting paints include straight tiles, metal roofs, vaulted buildings, and tall buildings. These structures are more susceptible to solar heat gain, which is easily transferred to the interior. In the agricultural industry, they are used for buildings that require temperature control, such as agricultural warehouses for storing harvests and grains, and material storage areas.

What Is an Agricultural Polymer?

Agricultural polymer is a sheet-like material used mainly for mulching, tunnel cultivation, and in-house tunnel cultivation.

Because of its weather resistance, agricultural polymer is effective in protecting crops from direct sunlight, cold winds, and rain. Agricultural film sheets can be broadly classified into soft and hard, with agricultural polycaps being classified as soft. Rigid film, on the other hand, is used for roof-type greenhouses.

Uses of Agricultural Polymers

Because of its versatility and softness, agricultural polymer is used as a versatile agricultural material for small tunnel films, plastic greenhouse curtains, and other applications. It can also be used as a mulching material by covering ridges to prevent weeds, mud splashes, frost protection, heat and moisture retention, and more.

To prevent the agricultural poly from peeling off in the wind, it is best to hold it down with soil, house bands, or clips.

Features of Agricultural Polymers

Agricultural polymer is an abbreviation for agricultural polyethylene, which is made from a soft polyethylene film material.

The difference between Agricultural PO (trademark registered), a member of the Agricultural Poly family, is in the material. Agricultural PO is characterized by its multilayer molding of polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate.

Pros

Although the thickness of polyethylene-made Noh-PO is very thin (0.02 mm to 0.1 mm), its advantages are its strength, durability, dust resistance, and transparency.

It is also less expensive than other covering materials, about half the price of agricultural vinyl. Its lightweight and low stickiness makes it easy to handle.

Disadvantages

While it can be expected to increase temperatures, it does not retain heat as well as agricultural vinyl. Although it is strong enough, Nou-Poly is thin and has little elasticity, so care must be taken not to stretch it too tightly.

Although Nou-Poly is susceptible to sulfur contained in agricultural chemicals, products with a sulfur resistance function have been developed for Nou-Poly.

Types of Agricultural Polymers

There are many types of agricultural polystyrene, including those used for tunnel cultivation, weed avoidance during mulch cultivation, and colored, and specially processed polystyrene. There are also multiple colors for mulch, including transparent, black, and silver, as well as types and sizes with holes.

Although there are many different types and names depending on the manufacturer, here are some typical types of agricultural polymers.

1. General Agricultural Polypropylene for Tunnel Cultivation

Lightweight and durable general agricultural polypropylene is useful for growing vegetables, flowers, and rice seedlings in tunnels. For rain protection of fruits such as grapes and cherries, and for softening the sun in summer, agricultural polypropylene with enhanced weather resistance is suitable, and for long-term use, agricultural PO is often used.

2. Agricultural Polypropylene for Mulch

Agricultural polypropylene used for mulch comes in a variety of colors, including transparent, black, black-white, green, and silver. The transparent type of mulch sheet allows light to penetrate easily, making it suitable for disinfecting soil in mid-summer and for crops that require an increase in soil temperature.

Black and black-white types suppress the rise in soil temperature and are therefore effective for use in summer and for low-temperature crops. Green mulch sheets combine weed and insect repellency and reduce farm labor.

Silver mulch is also used in low pesticide cultivation because its light-reflecting effect makes it less likely to attract pests.

3. Silver Polyethylene

Silver polyethylene is used for rice seedling cultivation and grafting. Compared to general agricultural polypropylene, it has superior temperature control properties and is non-sticky.

Silver polycarbonate with high light-shielding properties and a low-foaming sheet welded to one side is also used.

4. Agricultural Polypoly Used for Greenhouses, Etc.

Nou-Poly is also used as an inner curtain for vinyl greenhouses. For example, the special microporous and non-drip treated types are effective in preventing crops from getting wet and thus preventing diseases caused by wetting the crops.

Other products on the market include agricultural PO for greenhouses, which creates an air layer between the film and the film to keep the temperature 4 degrees Celsius higher than the outside temperature at night, and specially formulated applied agricultural PO that is suitable for long-term extension.

How to Choose Agricultural Polymers

The basic rule of thumb is to choose agricultural polypropylene based on its intended use, such as whether it is to be used for tunnel cultivation or as a greenhouse material. It is also recommended to select environmentally friendly products, such as non-polluting special agricultural polypropylene, agricultural polypropylene that does not contain heavy metals or chlorine and does not produce toxic gases when incinerated, and agricultural polypropylene that is highly biodegradable.

Other Information on Agricultural Polymers

1. Standards for Agricultural Polymers

The JIS standards for agricultural polyethylene terephthalate (ATP) specify standards for thickness, dimensions, material, strength, and other specifications. There are five thickness classifications, ranging from 0.1 mm for Type 1 to 0.02 mm for Type 5.

Dimensions range from 950 mm (width) x 50 m (length) to 1,800 mm (width) x 100 m (length), but the use of dimensions other than those specified in the standards is not allowed.

2. Use of Agricultural Polymers

Although Nou-Poly is an agricultural material, it is also used in unique ways for outdoor activities. In some cases, it is used as a ground sheet when camping because it can keep out moisture from the ground.

It is also used as a tarp to protect against wind and dew in outdoor activities.

What Is an Insect Trap?

An insect trap are devices used to catch insects such as flies and mosquitoes. Insects are lured by ultraviolet light and pheromone triggers and then captured with adhesive tape or other means.

Similar to insect trap are the electric insect trap, which kill insects by electric shock and emit sound and light when insects come into contact with its electrodes.

Therefore, there are some disadvantages: when used in restaurants, the light and sound of the electric bug killer may be bothersome, and it cannot be used in places where fire is strictly prohibited, such as gasoline stations.

Compared to the insecticides mentioned above, insect traps can quietly capture insects after they have been induced, and can be used in any location for highly effective insect removal.

How Insect Traps Work

The structure of insect traps are simple, consisting of a light source and an adhesive.

The light source is an insect lamp, and the adhesive is also called insect trapping tape.

There are two types of insect traps mechanisms: suction type and sheet type. The suction type captures insects by sucking and storing them at the bottom of the device and has a high capture rate, while the sheet type directly adheres insects to the adhesive sheet and is characterized by its quiet operation.

Insects have the property of traveling light, and tend to be attracted to light of specific wavelengths. Flies respond to ultraviolet rays in the 300 to 400 nanometer wavelength range, and insect traps use light sources that emit ultraviolet rays in these wavelengths.

In addition,insect traps have also been developed for use against the mushroom-feeding Pseudomonas nipponica fly, which uses a purple LED and a near-ultraviolet LED.

• Fluorescent Lamps
  Fluorescent lamps are frequently used as the light source for insect traps. Fluorescent lamps attract insects by emitting ultraviolet light around 365 nm.

  The life of a fluorescent lamp is about 6 months, and although the brightness of a deteriorated lamp does not change visually, the intensity of the ultraviolet light decreases, so the attraction of insects declines, requiring periodic replacement.

  Since there is a risk that fluorescent lamps may fall or break during replacement, shatterproof lamps are also available.

• LED Lamps
  As in the case of ordinary lighting, LEDs are sometimes used in insect traps instead of fluorescent lamps.

  LEDs have a longer lifespan than fluorescent lamps, reducing the need for lamp replacement. They use wavelengths of 365 nanometers of ultraviolet light and 395 nanometers of ultraviolet light, which can attract a wide range of insects.

Insect Traps Locations

Insect traps are used in food factories, convenience stores, supermarkets, as well as parks and parking lots. It is difficult to prevent insects from entering buildings completely as long as people are coming and going. Therefore, insect traps are installed in each section of the building to remove insects. Light sources for insect control are also used in areas where insects should not be allowed to approach, thereby preventing insects from entering the merchandise.

In order to use insect traps effectively, it is important to select one with the appropriate capacity. Each insect trap has a defined effective area, and the space to which it is applied should be smaller than the effective area. In addition, the power consumption and power supply system also differ among insect traps, so it is necessary to consider the distance from the installation site to the power outlet and the quietness of the device.

Height

The location of the insect traps are important to ensure that insects are caught. It is effective to place the traps in places where insects are likely to occur, such as near building entrances, windows, water and garbage, etc. In addition, it is recommended that the height of the traps be as low as 5–6 feet, as most small insects do not fly high.

Outdoor Installation

When installing insect traps outdoors, as mentioned above, it is effective to install them in areas where insects are likely to congregate, such as building entrances, near water, and near garbage. When using insect traps for camping or barbecues, it is recommended to use suction type traps that attract insects from all directions.

What Is a Repellent?

A repellent is a chemical substance used to deter harmful organisms from encroaching on human habitats. It is particularly effective against diverse species, including insects such as lice, mosquitoes, and mites; animals like rabbits, rats, and wild boars; and birds including sparrows, crows, and starlings.

Uses of Repellents

Repellents play a crucial role in protecting humans from various harmful organisms. Their specific applications include:

1. Repellents for Insects

Insect repellents, containing active ingredients like dimethyl phthalate and diethyl toluamide, are applied to the skin or used as area sprays. Different repellent forms, such as water-resistant powders, are also utilized for insects that invade through crevices and underfloor spaces.

2. Repellents Targeting Animals

For deterring animals, chemicals like creosote and beta-naphthol are used for their strong odors. Additionally, products utilizing the urine of natural predators like wolves are effective, especially since they do not harm the soil in fields and rice paddies. The strong odor of such repellents, though pungent, is highly effective against animals with sensitive olfactory senses.

3. Repellents for Birds

Bird repellents often include chemicals such as ferric oxide and tetrahydrothiophene. These are applied to agricultural areas like fields, rice paddies, and orchards to prevent damage by birds. Natural ingredient-based repellents, which create odors unappealing to birds, are advantageous as they do not adversely affect the soil.

In urban settings, buildings employ solid or gel-type repellents to deter birds from perching on structures like roofs and railings.

Characteristics of Repellents

Pros

The primary advantage of repellents is their effectiveness in keeping pests at bay. There is a wide array of repellents designed for specific pests and locations. When used correctly, as per the guidelines, they can effectively prevent pest invasions.

Disadvantages

However, the cost of repellents can be a drawback. The price varies depending on the target organism and the application area, with higher effectiveness often correlating with higher cost. Safety is another concern, particularly in homes with infants or pets, due to the risk of accidental ingestion. Thus, careful consideration in the placement and usage of repellents is essential.

Types of Repellents

Repellents are available in various forms, such as solid, liquid, and spray. The choice should be based on the specific location and the pests being targeted. For example, in narrow passages, solid bait-type repellents may be more effective, while liquid or spray types are better suited for larger areas like fields. By appropriately selecting the type of repellent based on the situation, its effectiveness can be maximized.