Insect/Bird/Animal Deterrence in the Utility Environment - South Carolina Electric and Gas
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ICORP ± IFOAM Specialty Products Corporation Insect/Bird/Animal Deterrence in the Utility Environment South Carolina Electric and Gas May 27, 2010
Insect/Bird/Animal Deterrence in the Utility Environment
By Phil Landers, President of ICORP – IFOAM Specialty Products Corp.
Table of Contents:
Critter Control Problem…………………………….………………………………..3
How Pheromones Work...………………..………….……………………………..3
What are Pheromones Made of ………………………….………………………4
Primary vs. Ancillary (Pseudo) Pheromones…………………………….…5
Sniff ‘n’ Stop Pseudo Pheromone Products…………….……………….7
Field Test Studies……………………..…………………………………….…………11
Overhead Transmission…………………………………………………….….12
Substations…………………………………………………………………………..17
Enclosures………………………………………………………………….………...20
On-going Research………………………………………………..……………………21
Contact Us with Ideas…………………………………………………………………21
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Critter Control – A World-Wide Maintenance Issue
Controlling and preventing damage from insects, birds, and other critters is
a continuing problem in virtually every industry throughout the world.
Whether ants in a utility’s pad-mounted transformer or roaches under a
kitchen sink, the objective is the same, the need for a safe and cost-effective
method for controlling these pests. Such a method has been discovered
that uses the species sense of smell, or olfactory system, to indirectly
control their behavior.
How A Critter’s Sense of Smell Works
The sense of smell is animal’s and insect’s primary sense. It is also the
only sense whose neurons transmit information directly to the brain.
Smells, known as pheromones, (a term that was first introduced in 1959
and stems from the Greek words pherein, meaning to transport, and
hormone which means to stimulate) are naturally secreted chemical
signals that stimulate a response or behavior in members of the same
species. Pheromones act as a type of chemical signal from one living
creature to another. They are used to bring creatures together, lead
them to food, signal danger, attract a mate, and influence sexual
development.
When pheromones are released, they pass through the nose until special
sensors in the nasal passage detect them. These sensors send signals to
the brain, eliciting a behavioral response from the other living creature.
They are detected in a special cluster of cells located at the very tip of the
nose, and play a key role in the daily life of insects, birds, and mammals
in activities such as identification of foods; detection of impending
danger, such as the presence of a predator; recognition of their mate,
parents, and offspring; and detecting signals for a variety of social
behaviors. Pheromones are not detected consciously as odors, but
trigger autonomic behavioral responses in response to signals sent
directly from the brain. They can also be carried some distance by air
currents, potentially much farther than a visual or auditory display. An
example can be found in female animals and insects. Female
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pheromones are regarded as one of the best tools for the female species
to attract a possible mate. According to scientists, females, regardless of
their species can send out a message via the female pheromones to let
the males know that they are ready for reproduction. The radius of reach
of the pheromones can be up to 6.2 miles.
Researchers have estimated that more than 400,000 different
compounds are unique to the human nose. Just as a fingerprint is a
unique identification mark, so is a scent. More surprisingly, no two
compounds have ever been found to have exactly the same odor quality,
suggesting that in humans alone, the olfactory system can detect and
discriminate more than 400,000 different compounds.
What are Pheromones made of?
Pheromones are made up of numerous families of organic chemicals. With
hundreds of thousands of odorous compounds detectable by the olfactory
system, researchers have found that the active ingredients in many of the
Primary Pheromones are from a family of organic chemicals called Ketones.
Ketones are used as building blocks for more complex organic compounds
and are also formed in the human body. In addition, they are commonly
found in certain berries, such as cranberries, and used in the manufacture of
organic compounds, known as plastics.
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Primary vs. Ancillary (Pseudo) Pheromones
Primary Pheromones
While there are many pheromones unique to each species, primary
pheromones are those to which the species is regularly exposed, and have
therefore become familiar. Such pheromones include:
1. Aggregation pheromones - function in defense against predators,
mate selection, and overcoming host resistance by mass attack
2. Alarm pheromones - a volatile substance released by some species
that can trigger a response such as aggression in members of the
same species
3. Epideictic pheromones - used by some female insects to signal to
other females of the same species they should lay their eggs
elsewhere
4. Information pheromones - announce an animal's identity or territory
5. Primer pheromones - trigger a change of developmental events
6. Releaser pheromones - cause an alteration in the behavior of the
recipient
7. Sex pheromones - indicate the availability of the female for breeding.
Male animals may also emit pheromones that convey information
about their species and genotype
8. Signal pheromones - cause short term changes in some animals
9. Territorial pheromones - mark the boundaries of an organism's
territory
10. Trail pheromones - common in social insects
11. Warning pheromones - used to warn others of its species against
impending danger such as predators.
While animals deal with the effects of Primary Pheromones effectively
throughout their daily activities, it’s the combination of odorous organic
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compounds that the species are not familiar with that holds the key to this
breakthrough technology.
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Pseudo Pheromones
In the early 1970’s, a successful Research and Development Program was
undertaken to find a safe and economical product to keep woodpeckers off
of wood poles. After nearly 40 years of testing, a product was developed
that has proven to be harmless, yet successfully effective not only with
woodpeckers, but also with most insects, birds, and animal species on which
it was tested.
Once research confirmed the technology’s effectiveness, efforts moved
towards explaining how and why it worked on such a broad range of
organisms. The explanation was found in the chemical composition of the
pheromone. A study was undertaken to review and identify the important
chemicals in known pheromones that had been used successfully in the
control of various organisms. These results were then compared to the
Sniff’n’Stop® formulation.
Many of the key biologically active chemical compounds found to exist in
particular species of organisms were also found to be present in the
Sniff’n’Stop® essential oils. Continued review of these individual chemical
compositions led to a pattern that ultimately led to the explanation. A
combination of biologically active chemical compounds found to exist in
many of the Primary Pheromones, had been used in the manufacture of
Sniff’n’Stop®. The effect of these pseudo-pheromone chemical
combinations was confusion for the organism since they were no longer the
familiar Primary Pheromones.
This theory was tested on one particular problem critter, a “crazy ant”. This
critter has the reputation of nesting in very large numbers, capable of killing
livestock in the western United States. Close
in appearance to the common fire ant, a crazy
ant can be distinguished by one particular
peculiar behavior - it’s like for onions. The
ant’s receptors respond to the odor of the
ant’s food source, onions. Initial exposure to Sniff’n’Stop® showed no
behavioral change. However, when Sniff’n’Stop® was enhanced with the
fragrance of onions, behavior changes were exhibited. Depending upon the
concentration of the onion fragrance used, the ant’s behavioral responses
changed from being attracted to, to being deterred by, the product.
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For years, scientists have successfully used pheromones in agricultural
applications to control pests and various species of insects such as wasps,
bees, ants, termites, and beetles, and mammals such as hamsters, snakes,
elephants, monkeys, and even humans. One proven technique used has
been to confuse the organism for the purpose of inducing a brain-triggered
reflexive response in the targeted species. This technique forms the basis of
ICORP’s Sniff’n’Stop® Insect/Bird/Animal Deterrent products.
Sniff’n’Stop Products:
Research has shown that the brain is capable of identifying and responding
to a range of odorous pheromone compounds individually. However, when
confronted with fragrances from a variety of different sources the organisms
become overwhelmed and confused. When confronted with the
unrecognized and unfamiliar odors, it instinctively responds by excreting a
Warning Pheromone of its own, warning others of its same species of the
potential for eminent danger. The result is they flee from the source.
Sniff’n’Stop® uses a combination of common odors that we find in our
everyday experiences. Odors, including fragrances from such common
items as PVC’s and other plastics to fruits and vegetables like cranberries
and onions, are combined to form one pseudo-pheromone odor that
organisms aren’t use to or can’t identify. The result is confusion.
Just as pheromones evaporate or dissipate rapidly in the environment, so do
many of the pseudo-pheromone fragrances found in Sniff’n’Stop.
A key breakthrough leading to the success of Sniff’n’Stop® was the ability to
extend the effectiveness of these fragrances over a long period of time. This
was accomplished by developing and patenting a process for encapsulation
and time-release of these fragrant, organic volatile chemicals. The process
traps and time-releases the odor from inside an environmentally friendly
vinylized epoxy plastic that doesn’t hurt wildlife or harm the environment.
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There are currently four primary means of dissemination for the pseudo-
pheromone odorant found in Sniff’n’Stop®:
Diffusion
1. Sniff’n’Stop® Odorant Pads are timed release pads that, when applied in
confined spaces such as pad mounted transformers, switches, and
handholds, are highly effective against fire
ants, spiders, mice, rats, snakes, roaches,
Africanized bees etc. They are
environmentally-friendly and long lasting.
They are available in various sizes and perfect
for enclosed pad mounted equipment and
cabinets.
Close Encounter
1. Sniff’n’Stop® Animal Chewing Deterrent Putty is a perfect application
for deterring woodpeckers from overhead transmission line poles and
other above ground uses. Squirrels must
constantly chew to keep their teeth ground
down and sharpened. The problem arises
when this chewing is directed toward utility
equipment (e.g. overhead and underground
cables, weather heads, and cables in risers).
This product works best for minimizing
damage done to utility equipment by squirrels. Sniff’n’Stop® Animal
Chewing Deterrent is also available in an easy-to-use caulk tube.
2. Sniff’n’Stop® Animal Chewing Deterrent Paint is used effectively on
utility poles and any outside structure to eliminate the pecking of birds,
chewing of squirrels and porcupines and even the territory marking of
bears. Utility companies report that porcupines can be more damaging
than beavers to wood poles at ground line.
93. Sniff’n’Stop® Animal Chewing Deterrent Sponges are coated sponges
and available in various sizes. They are used inside risers to stop squirrels
from chewing though cables and wires. The sponge is pushed into the
mouth of the duct around the cable with the barrier-side out.
Sniff’n’Stop® odorant diffuses down the pipe protecting its contents
from rodent damage.
Single- and double-side coated sponges are used to protect cable trays
carrying control wires and conductors from outside high voltage
electrical equipment, through the building walls. Animals use these cable
trays as access routes into the control building. Once inside, they can do
extensive damage to the sensitive cabling and equipment. A simple and
effective rodent barrier has been designed that uses Sniff’n’Stop®
deterrent. An open-cell sponge coated on both sides with Sniff’n’Stop®
can be cut to the desired size and packed into the opening. This same
coated-sponge technique can be used to direct Sniff’n’Stop® odorant
into ducts and conduits.
Direct Contact
4. Sniff’n’Stop® Sticky Bird Deterrent is used wherever bird intrusion is a
problem. This can be poles, lights, rooftops, etc. The non-toxic deterrent
merely “teaches” the intruding
birds to not return to the area.
Broad Area Application
1. Sniff’n’Stop® Animal Deterrent Granules The image part with relationship ID rId11 was not found in the file.
safely repel snakes, rats, skunks, raccoons,
etc. around substations, storage garages,
garbage cans, and virtually any other area.
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Published Field Test Studies
Following are several Field Test Studies identifying problems with various
insects/birds/animals and results following the use of Sniff’n’Stop®
products:
12Overhead Transmission and Distribution Studies
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative – Squirrel Field Test
Background:
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative supplies electric service in Anderson,
Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and a small portion of Spartanburg counties
located in Upstate South Carolina. Aside from tree trimming and right-of-
way issues, squirrel damage was one of the foremost causes of outages.
The squirrels were eating through the service wire, entrance cable and
neutrals, right down to the steel.
Results:
Sniff’n’Stop® was applied to the problem areas and after several years in
the field no squirrel activity has been identified on the treated areas.
The image part with relationship ID rId13 was not found in the file.
After
Before
13Ocala Electric Utility – Squirrel Field Test 2
Background:
Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) services 1,136 miles of power lines in a 160
square mile service territory. They serve more than 50,000 customers in
Ocala and Marion County Florida. According to their Field
Superintendent, squirrels were traveling down through electric pole
risers and into the underground conduit where they were chewing the
jackets off of the cabling. The squirrels were not injured because they are
so well isolated, so they continued to create a lot of damage. He also
noted that underground cable repair is many more times expensive than
above ground repair. With the cost of 4 or 5 people on the repair job, not
to mention the cost of the equipment, cost could be close to a thousand
dollars per hour.
Results:
OEU first used Sniff’n’Stop® in the two part putty form with excellent
success. Later they worked with ICORP to develop the Sniff’n’Stop®
Animal Chewing Deterrent Sponges. After several years, no further
squirrel activity has been reported where Sniff’n’Stop® has been applied.
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Penelec – Porcupine Study
Background:
Penelec is one of seven subsidiaries owned by FirstEnergy headquartered
in Akron, Ohio. Its seven electric utility operating companies comprise
the nation's fifth largest investor-owned electric system, serving 4.5
million customers within 36,100 square miles of Ohio, Pennsylvania and
New Jersey; and its generation subsidiaries control more than 14,000
megawatts of capacity. ICORP was contacted because Penelec was
having a tremendous problem with porcupines eating the bases of their
wooden transmission poles.
Results:
After repairing the base of the poles with ICORP’s IFOAM Structural
Epoxy Foam and painting them with Sniff’n’Stop Paint, no further
damage has been reported. The pictures below show the before and after
effect of the Sniff’n’Stop® Paint.
Before After
16Streetlight Intrusion Field Study
Gainesville Regional Utilities – Bats, flying squirrels, and insects
Background:
Due to wildlife intrusion, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) had been
experiencing an extremely costly problem replacing street lights that
should have been lasting years longer. Any cracks or crevices at any
point from the ground to the light head can provide entry points for a
wide range of animals and insects including lizards, snakes, bats, flying
squirrels, spiders, fire ants, wasps and bees. Not only will the intrusion
cause reliability issues, it can
also pose risks to the crews
that work on these lights.
Results:
Sniff’n’Stop® Animal Deterrent
Sponges were safely and simply
installed by crews into the end
of the arm where the street
light head attaches. Die cuts in
the sponges allowed it to be fitted around wires. See Figure above. The
odorant on the sponge served as a barrier to critters coming up from
within the hollow arm. The odorant trapped in the light head chased
away the other problem animals and insects. In five years since installing
the sponges, GRU has not had to return to any of the lights being treated.
In addition, the globes are much cleaner as a result of no insects being
found in the lights. Money and time were saved without any harm to
wildlife or the environment.
17Substation Field Study
Penelec - Substation – Rodents and Snakes Study
Background:
Penelec’s Blue Mountain Substation is located along a desolate portion of
the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Substation had for years been
experiencing outages caused by wildlife including snakes and rodents.
The animals would enter the substation through conduit and travel into
the cabinets. Once there, they would travel through a bus tray leading to
the transformers where snakes would pursue them and lay across the
phases causing outages.
Results:
After two serious outages at this location that occurred within one month
of each other and typical monthly problems, the substation installed
Sniff’n’Stop® Odorant Pads on the plates of the trays and on the tops of
the cabinets to protect from intrusions. It has been more than a year
since the installation and no further problems have been reported.
Sniff’n’Stop Odorant Pad Installation
18Substation Field Study
Santee Cooper and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, South Carolina –
Snakes
Background:
Santee Cooper and Blue Ridge Electrical Cooperative were experiencing
significant problems with snakes that were nesting and proliferating near
substation equipment. Sniff’n’Stop® Animal Deterrent Granules were
broadcast around fences and the perimeter of the concrete bases of the
substation structural supports.
Results:
Since the Granules were spread, snake infestation and nesting have
ceased.
19Substation Field Study
Penelec Substation Cable Trough – Mice and Snakes
Background:
In the summer of 2007 Penelec agreed to treat several substations with
Sniff’n’Stop® products. Four locations were selected due to their serious
degree of animal problems. The primary culprits in each case were mice
and as a consequence, snakes. Corry East and Grandview substations,
both located in northwestern PA, and Roxbury and Blue Mountain
Substations in south central PA were partially treated in June of 2007.
Results:
Follow up at these sites has shown the treatments to be effective. At
Corry East Substation
the application of
double-sided foam
sheeting at the cable
trough entry has
proven to keep pests
out at this point on the
building. Deterrents
were also applied at
certain points in trays inside of the building. These have been effective in
keeping mice out of the cabinets.
20Enclosure Field Study
Georgia Electric Utility Cooperative Training Center – Spiders, Mice,
Snakes and Ants
Background:
The Georgia Electric Utility Cooperative Underground Training Center was
experiencing severe problems with spiders, mice, snakes and fire ants
building nests and infesting transformer enclosures and cabinets. The
fire ants, in particular, were causing serious concerns for crews who were
servicing equipment.
Results:
Sniff’n’Stop® Odorant Pads were placed inside the cabinets. Within a
short time, the presence of all pests, including the fire ants, was
deterred. Their deterrence has remained permanent.
Before After
21Ongoing Sniff’n’Stop® Research
The applications for Sniff’n’Stop® are endless. Following are a few:
1. Coatings/paints for equipment and structures
2. Rooftop sealants
3. Additives to manufactured plastics
4. Cable coatings
Contact us with your ideas at:
Website: http://www.sniffnstop.com
Phone: 877-548-7748
E-mail: sales@sniffnstop.com
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