WO2006092570A1

WO2006092570A1 - Insect expellant floor cleaner additive comprising a synthetic pyrethroid

Info

Publication number: WO2006092570A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/000681
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Andrew Thompson; Andrew Martin Scrivener; Graeme Bruce Smith
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Australia Pty Ltd; Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Australia Pty Ltd; Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-02
Filing date: 2006-02-27
Publication date: 2006-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2007-09-02
Also published as: BRPI0607415A2; AU2006219778B2; AU2006219778A1; GB0504296D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insect expellant floor cleaner additive comprising a synthetic pyrethroid. The additive is for addition to a solution of a floor cleaner such as a disinfectant for imparting insect expellency to the floor at the time of cleaning the floor with the disinfectant. The present invention also relates to a floor cleaning solution containing the additive, a method of making a floor cleaning solution and a method of cleaning a floor and imparting insect expellency thereto.

Description

INSECT EXPELLANT FLOOR CLEANER ADDITIVE COMPRISING A SYNTHETIC PYRETHROID

This invention relates to a floor cleaner additive. In particular, this invention relates to an insect expellant floor cleaner additive suitable for addition to a floor cleaner to impart expellant properties thereto. The invention also relates to a method of cleaning a floor (or other hard surface) and providing insect expellency therefrom.

In warmer climates, in particular in tropical and sub-tropical climates, the presence of insects such as cockroaches in households is common. These insects are classified as pests and numerous chemical pesticides for the eradication or reduction in numbers of these pests have been identified. One class of chemical compounds identified as having pesticidal properties are synthetic pyrethroids.

Chemical pesticides are used in a variety of known methods and devices for the control of pests such as cockroaches . Known methods and devices include ingestible pesticide-doped baits and application of pesticide to hard surfaces by spraying. Ingestible baits can be expensive and baits placed at floor level are easily accessible by pets and children. The application of pesticides to hard surfaces by spraying may result in unequal application and can be time consuming when application to a large surface area such as a floor is required. Furthermore, some spray devices include aerosol gases and, consequently, are expensive to manufacture and difficult to dispose of.

The inventors of the present invention have sought to provide an alternative means for controlling insect numbers, in particular insect numbers on floors and other hard surfaces.

Most floors and other hard surfaces are regularly cleaned using a floor cleaner containing detergent and/or disinfectant and the inventors have sought to provide an additive which can be added to the floor cleaner so that the process of cleaning the floor also leaves a pesticide residue on the floor (or other hard surface) .

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a floor cleaner additive comprising a synthetic pyrethroid.

The additive can be added to a floor cleaner and then applied to a floor (or other hard surface) to control insect numbers at the same time as cleaning the floor/surface. This reduces the time and effort involved in controlling insect numbers. Furthermore, the use of such an additive allows the pesticide to be applied using, for example, a mop (or cloth) and bucket which ensures that the synthetic pyrethroid is applied uniformly across the floor or surface. This allows easy control of the application rate thus ensuring that only levels of pesticide not considered a safety threat to children and pets are applied. Another advantage is that such an additive does not need packaging in an expensive aerosol device.

Throughout this specification, references to a floor, floor cleaner additive, floor cleaning mixture etc. are not intended to be limiting and the word "floor" should be construed as a reference to any hard surface.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Preferably the synthetic pyrethroid is selected from cypermethrin (including alpha-cypermethrin) , deltamethrin, permethrin, bifenthrin, lambdacyhalothrin and cyfluthrin (including beta-cyfluthrin) .

The successful use of a synthetic pyrethroid in a floor cleaner additive for addition to a floor cleaner is surprising. Many floor cleaners such as chlorine bleaches (e.g. sodium hypochlorite), quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g. benzalkonium chloride) and phenolic disinfectants (e.g. phenyle) form alkaline solutions (e.g. pH 8-11) and alkaline hydrolysis of the synthetic pyrethroid would be expected. Furthermore, bleach is an oxidising agent and oxidation of the synthetic pyrethroid would be expected in bleach solutions . However, the inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found that an additive comprising a synthetic pyrethroid can be used with such alkaline/oxidising floor cleaners without significant degradation of the pyrethroid.

The synthetic pyrethroid is preferably present in the additive in an amount of from 0.0003-50%, more preferably 0.01 to 2.5%, even more preferably in an amount from 0.05-0.25% and most preferably in an amount around 0.2% (for example 0.155%).

The synthetic pyrethroid is preferably present in an amount such that when the additive is included in a floor cleaning mixture, the concentration of the synthetic pyrethroid is 0.5 ppm to 500 ppm, more preferably 1 ppm to 50 ppm and most preferably the concentration of the synthetic pyrethroid is around 3 ppm.

As mentioned above, the stability of a synthetic pyrethroid in an alkaline (e.g. pH 8-11) and possibly oxidising environment is surprising but it is especially surprising that the low concentrations of synthetic pyrethroid preferably used in the present invention remain stable in alkaline/oxidising environments .

In preferred embodiments, the additive is formulated as a microemulsion, a solvent-based concentrate, a water- based concentrate, a wettable powder, an emulsifiable concentrate, a water dispersible tablet, water dispersible granules, a suspo-emulsion, a capsule suspension, an emulsifiable gel, or a suspension concentrate (flowable concentrate) .

The most preferred embodiment is formulated as a microemulsion. A microemulsion formulation is preferred over a macroemulsion formulation because it is thermodynamically stable and need not be agitated prior to its addition to the floor cleaner. Furthermore, a microemulsion will be of lower cost and allow for safer handling (less irritable, less flammable) when compared to an emulsifiable concentrate as a result of the lower levels of organic solvent present in a microemulsion. The low organic solvent content of a microemulsion formulation also allows for a low odour formulation.

A preferred microemulsion additive formulation preferably includes : a) synthetic pyrethroid -0.0003-50% b) organic solvent - 0.01-5% c) surfactant - 0.0001-10% d) water - balance The synthetic pyrethroid is preferably present in an amount of from 0.01 to 2.5%, more preferably in an amount of from 0.05-0.25%, and most preferably in an amount around 0.2% (for example 0.155%). The synthetic pyrethroid is preferably cypermethrin.

The organic solvent is preferably present in an amount of 0.03-1% and most preferably in an amount around 0.067%. The organic solvent may be aliphatic or aromatic but the organic solvent is preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon. Higher boiling aromatic hydrocarbons may be used such as those having a boiling point of between 180 °C and 210 ⁰C. Lower boiling aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene or xylene may also be used.

The surfactant is preferably present in an amount of 0.1-0.3% and most preferably in an amount around 0.19%. The surfactant may be a non-ionic, anionic or amphoteric surfactant or a blend thereof. The surfactant is preferably a non-ionic/anionic surfactant blend, for example Termul 3409® (Huntsman Chemicals) may be used.

Preferably, the composition further contains a preservative in an amount ranging from 0.0001% to 10%. The preservative may be an isothiazolinone blend such as Kathion CG® (Rohm & Haas) or Acticide FSN® (Thor Chemicals) . A most preferred additive formulation contains an isothiazolinone blend preservative at an amount around 0.2%. Alternatively any suitable preservative such as glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, diazolidinyl urea, methyl parabens or propyl parabens may be used.

The composition preferably includes a water-soluble dye to give a visual indication of the addition of the additive. The dye is preferably included in an amount of up to 1%. The dye may be of any colour but a preferred dye is CI 42090® which is blue in colour. CI 42090® is most preferably used in an amount around 0.0001%.

The formulation may contain additional components . For example, it may contain a perfume. The perfume is preferably included in an amount of from 0.01 to 10%. A preferred perfume is pine oil. Pine oil is most preferably used in an amount of around 0.3%. The formulation may additionally or alternatively contain a compound such as denatonium benzoate to prevent children from drinking the additive .

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a floor cleaning mixture comprising a floor cleaner additive according to the first aspect and a floor cleaner.

The concentration of the synthetic pyrethroid in the floor cleaning mixture is preferably 0.5 ppm to 500 ppm, more preferably 1 ppm to 50 ppm and most preferably around 3 ppm.

Throughout this specification, the term "floor cleaner" is used to define any liquid which can be used to clean a floor or other hard surface. The liquid may have detergent properties and/or disinfectant properties. The liquid may include or may be water.

Preferably the floor cleaner is a disinfectant such as a chlorine bleach (e.g. sodium hypochlorite), a quaternary ammonium compound (e.g. benzalkonium chloride) or a phenolic disinfectant (e.g. phenyle) which is diluted in water. As mentioned above, it has been surprisingly found that the alkaline solutions of these disinfectants do not render the synthetic pyrethroid of the additive unstable i.e. do not cause alkaline hydrolysis of the pyrethroid.

It has also been surprisingly found that the presence of a disinfectant enhances the efficacy of the synthetic pyrethroid. This enhancement is especially evident for phenolic disinfectants such as phenyle. This enhancement appears to be the result of some synergistic interaction.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing a floor cleaning mixture, the method comprising adding a floor cleaner additive according to the first aspect to a floor cleaner.

Preferably, the floor cleaner is a disinfectant such as a chlorine bleach (e.g. sodium hypochlorite), a quaternary ammonium compound (e.g. benzalkonium chloride) or a phenolic disinfectant (e.g. phenyle) diluted with water. It has been surprisingly found that the presence of a disinfectant enhances the efficacy of the synthetic pyrethroid. This enhancement is especially evident for phenolic disinfectants such as phenyle. This enhancement appears to be the result of some synergistic interaction.

In the case of a preferred microemulsion additive formulation comprising 0.155% synthetic pyrethroid, 15 ml (the typical volume of a bottle cap) of the formulation is preferably added to 8 litres of floor cleaner. This gives a concentration of 2.9 ppm synthetic pyrethroid. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of cleaning a floor and providing insect expellency therefrom, said method comprising applying to a floor (or other hard surface) a floor cleaning mixture according to the second aspect.

The mixture may be applied, for example, using a mop/cloth and bucket. This allows easy application of the mixture to cover a large area such as a floor and also assists in even application. Alternatively, the mixture may be applied using a pump sprayer.

Preferably, the synthetic pyrethroid residue level is sufficiently low so as to be non-repellent to insects i.e. the levels are sufficiently low that insects cannot detect the residue and avoid entering the area. Rather, the synthetic pyrethroid acts to expel the insects from the area once they have entered, probably as a result of nervous excitation (the "hot-foot effect") . It has been observed that a low synthetic pyrethroid residue level causes agitation amongst American and Australian cockroaches and causes them to exit the treated area.

The synthetic pyrethroid residue level remaining on a floor (or other hard surface) is preferably from 1.32 mg/m² to 0.01 mg/m², more preferably from 1.32 mg/m² to 0.044 mg/m². The preferred residue level is around 0.087 mg/m². The preferred low residue levels are not considered a safety concern for children and pets. The expellency effect at residue levels as low as 0.087 mg/m² and 0.044 mg/m² is surprising. At such low residual levels of synthetic pyrethroid, no observable effect on insects would be expected.

In the case of the preferred floor cleaning mixture containing 15 ml of a microemulsion additive formulation in 8 litres of a floor cleaner, the formulation comprising 0.155% synthetic pyrethroid, the mixture is applied at an application rate of 30 ml/m².

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides use of a floor cleaner additive according to the first aspect for addition to a floor cleaner to provide a floor cleaning mixture for cleaning a floor and imparting insect expellency therefrom.

Preferably the floor cleaner is a disinfectant such as a chlorine bleach (e.g. sodium hypochlorite), a quaternary ammonium compound (e.g. benzalkonium chloride) or a phenolic disinfectant (e.g. phenyle) diluted with water. It has been surprisingly found that the presence of a disinfectant enhances the efficacy of the synthetic pyrethroid. This enhancement is especially evident for phenolic disinfectants such as phenyle . This enhancement appears to be the result of some synergistic interaction.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising a floor cleaner additive according to the first aspect and instructions for addition of the floor cleaner additive to a floor cleaner to provide a floor cleaning mixture for cleaning a floor and imparting insect expellency therefrom.

The present invention will be illustrated by the following examples which are non-limiting. Various modifications will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art and are included within the scope of the present invention.

Example 1

An emulsifiable concentrate of cypermethrin (Scud 200 EC® - 20% cypermethrin) was diluted with water to give a macro-emulsion with a cypermethrin concentration of 0.000176% and 0.000088%. These emulsions were then applied at a rate of 50 ml/m² to a glazed tile or sealed concrete floor area in domestic properties using a pump sprayer. The treatment was repeated 3 days after the initial treatment. The numbers of American and/or Australian cockroaches present at the properties were assessed before the initial treatment, 1 day post initial treatment and 4 days post initial treatment (1 day after the second treatment) .

Cockroach populations were assessed using 500 ml glass food jars baited with an attractant comprising bread moistened with beer. The top one-third of the inner surface of the jar was coated with petroleum jelly to prevent escape. Any cockroaches caught in the jars were returned to their environment .

Table I

Active Spray rate Active Replication concentration ml/m2 mg/m2

0.000176% 50 0.087 4

0.000088% 50 0.044 4

_ 2

(control)

The results are shown in Tables II to IV. Table II - results for 0.087 mg/m² residue

Percentage reduction in cockroaches Treatment site 1 day post initial 4 days post treatment initial treatment

1 84.6 100 2 42.1 36.8 3 77.8 38.9 4 78.6 57.1

Average 70.8 58.2

Table III - results for 0.044 mg/m² residue

1 21.7 69.6 2 -30.0 70.0 3 38.9 55.6 4 80.0 73.3

Average 27.7 67.1

Table IV - results for control

1 -8.3 25.0

2 -38.5 -7.7 Average -23 . 4 8 . 7

It can be seen that residue levels of both 0.044 mg/m² and 0.087 mg/m² resulted in a decrease in the number of cockroaches at the treated domestic locations. The higher level had a more rapid effect. No dead cockroaches were observed at the treatment sites and thus it can be assumed that cypermethrin levels as low as 0.087 mg/m² are sub-lethal to cockroaches.

Example 2

Surfactant (Termul 3408® , 1.9 g) and cypermethrin 70% (70% cypermethrin in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, 2.22 g) were stirred until uniformly mixed. In a separate vessel, 994 ml of water was heated to a temperature of around 40 °C. The premixed cypermethrin, organic solvent and surfactant were added to the water at a steady rate over about 15 minutes whilst the water was stirred. Stirring was maintained whilst the mixture was allowed to cool to around 30 °C. Preservative ( Kathion CG®, 20 g) and a water soluble dye (CI 42090®, 1 mg) were added.

This results in a formulation containing: a) cypermethrin - 0.155% b) organic solvent - 0.067% c) surfactant - 0.19% d) preservative - 0.2% e) water soluble dye - 0.0001%. f) water - balance

To form a floor cleaning mixture, 15 ml of this formulation was added to 8 1 of water containing a disinfectant (the disinfectant being added in an amount dictated by the disinfectant manufacturer) . This resulted in a floor cleaning mixture containing 2.9 ppm cypermethrin. This floor cleaning mixture was then applied to a floor (or other hard surface) at a rate of 30 ml/m² to leave a residue of 0.087 mg/m² of cypermethrin.

Example 3

To demonstrate the non-repellent properties of 0.087 mg/m² levels of cypermethrin, one glazed white tile (20 x 20 cm) was sprayed with a floor cleaning mixture produced by diluting the microemulsion formulation produced in Example 2 in water to give 0.000348% (3.48 ppm) cypermethrin to give 0.087 mg/m² on the tile surface. A similar tile was sprayed with water. The tiles were allowed to dry and were then placed in a plastic storage container, with a base area of 1,785 cm² and a height of 19 cm (one tile at either end) . A plastic receptacle with a pre-weighed amount of solid food was placed in the middle of each tile. Ten adult American cockroaches were confined in the container for 24 hrs and consumption of food from each tile after 24 hours was determined by weight difference. There were 4 replicates. Results : Amount of food consumed per 10 cockroaches per 24 hours:

Treated tile: 0.2993 +/- 0.094 g (mean +/- SEM) Untreated tile: 0.3203 +/- 0.061 g (mean +/- SEM)

Ratio of treated: untreated 48:52.

If the 0.087 mg/m² was repellent to cockroaches it would be expected that a greater amount of food would have been eaten from the untreated tile as the cockroaches would be repelled from the treated tile. Thus it can be seen that that cypermethrin is non-repellent to cockroaches at 0.087 mg/m² using a 0.155% cypermethrin microemulsion concentrate diluted in water.

Example 4

A microemulsion formulation was produced as described in Example 2. This was diluted to 0.000348% (3.48 ppm) in tap water, or diluted disinfectants at room temperature. The diluted disinfectants were prepared as follows (all according to label instructions) : 1) 8.4% bleach solution (4% available chlorine) was diluted 1/100 to give a 0.084% solution

2) phenyle (2.9%) was diluted 1/50 to give a 0.058% solution

3) a 7% benzalkonium chloride concentrate was diluted 1/200 to give a 0.035% solution

The resulting floor cleaning mixtures containing 3.48 ppm cypermethrin were sprayed onto glazed while tiles (30 x 30 cm) to give a nominal level of cypermethrin of 0.087 mg/m². Tiles were allowed to dry and a glass ring (20 cm diameter) greased with silicon oil placed on the tile to prevent escape of cockroaches .

Cockroaches were introduced to each tile and behaviour recorded each 30 minutes for 2 hrs . The time taken for the "hot foot effect" to take place was recorded. This was defined as the onset of vigorous, but uncoordinated movement by all of the cockroaches present in the ring. The percentage of cockroaches suffering "knockdown" (KD) after 2 hours was recorded. KD is defined as a cockroach being unable to right itself if turned over on its back. Cockroaches were removed from each tile to a clean container after 2 hrs and mortality noted 24 hrs later. There were 2-4 replicates per treatment . Table V - Results for Example 4

Hot foot 2 hour KD % 24 hour kill effect onset /min

Water and 30 90 20 cypermethrin Bleach and 30 100 50 cypermethrin Phenyle and 30 100 90 cypermethrin Benzalkonium 30 100 70 chloride and cypermethrin Water only (control) Bleach only (control) Phenyle only (control) Benzalkonium chloride only (control)

n= 20 cockroaches per treatment (10 for benzalkonium chloride and controls) Thus it can be seen that surfaces treated with 0.087% cypermethrin in water or a diluted disinfectant provides expellency (as evidenced by the hot foot effect) to the surface in each case within 30 minutes. Synergism occurring between the cypermethrin and disinfectants results in a greater 24 hour kill rate as compared to cypermethrin added to water alone. The synergism is especially great for phenyle (a phenolic disinfectant) .

It is thought that the high kill percentages are a result of the confinement of the cockroaches on the tiles . However, it is expected that in domestic locations (where there will be no confinement) , the "hot foot effect" will result in the cockroaches leaving the treated area rather than receiving a lethal dose .

Example 5

To demonstrate the stability of the floor cleaning mixtures containing cypermethrin, Example 4 was repeated but instead of spraying the tiles immediately after preparation of the floor cleaning mixtures, the mixtures were stored at room temperature for an extended period of time . Table VI - Results for Example 5

Storage Hot foot 2 hour KD 24 hour period/ effect % kill % hours onset

/min

Benzalkonium 1 30 100 30 chloride and cypermethrin

Benzalkonium 2 30 100 50 chloride and cypermethrin

Benzalkonium 7 30 90 50 chloride and cypermethrin

Benzalkonium 24 60 80 20 chloride and cypermethrin

Benzalkonium 96 120 10 0 chloride and cypermethrin

Water and 96 30 90 20 cypermethrin

Bleach and 96 30 100 50 cypermethrin

Phenyle and 96 30 100 90 cypermethrin

n= 10 cockroaches per treatment

Thus it can be seem that the cypermethrin microemulsion formulation is stable and efficacious for at least 7 hrs at room temperature when diluted in a benzalkonium chloride solution and stable and efficacious for at least 96 hours at room temperature when diluted in water only and in solutions of bleach and phenyle.

Example 6

To determine the extent of the endurance of the expellency of the cypermethrin and water/bleach/phenyle mixtures after application, Example 4 was repeated but the treated tiles were left for 96 hours before the cockroaches were placed on the tiles.

Table VII - Results for Example 6

Hot foot 2 hour KD % 24 hour kill effect onset %

/min

Water and 30 100 20 cypermethrin Bleach and 30 100 60 cypermethrin Phenyle and 30 100 100 cypermethrin

n= 10 cockroaches per treatment

Thus it can be seen that residual cypermethrin applied in water and in diluted bleach and phenyle remained efficacious for at least 96 hrs . Example 7

The protocol as outlined in Example 1 was repeated using a macro-emulsion with cypermethrin concentration and cypermethrin residue as set out in Table VIII. The results are shown in Tables IX and X.

Table VIII

Active Spray rate Active Replication concentration ml/m2 mg/m2

0 . 00264% 50 1.32

Table IX

Average %

Treatment reduction in Expelled % Killed % site cockroaches 4 days post initial treatment

Glazed tiles 98 79 19 concrete 97 94 3

Table X

Average Average number of number of

Treatment cockroaches cockroaches Expelled Killed at start 4 days post site initial treatment

Glazed 14.25 0.25 11.25 2.75 tiles concrete 37 35

It can be seen that a residue level of 1.32 mg/m² resulted in a high degree of expellency. Expellency was the primary mode of action, accounting for 94% of the efficacy for the concrete surface and 79% for the tiles. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. An insect expellent floor cleaner additive comprising a synthetic pyrethroid wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is present in an amount such that when the additive is included in a floor cleaning mixture, the concentration of the synthetic pyrethroid is 1 ppm to 50 ppm.

2. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 1 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is present in an amount such that when the additive is included in a floor cleaning mixture, the concentration of the synthetic pyrethroid is around 3 ppm.

3. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is selected from cypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, bifenthrin, lambdacyhalothrin and cyfluthrin.

4. A floor cleaner additive according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is present in an amount of from 0.0003 - 50%.

5. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 4 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is present in an amount of from 0.01 - 2.5%.

6. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 5 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is present in an amount of from 0.0.5 to 0.25%.

7. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 6 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is present in an amount around 0.2%.

8. A floor cleaner additive according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said additive is formulated as a microemulsion, a solvent-based concentrate, a water-based concentrate, a wettable powder, an emulsifiable concentrate, a water dispersible tablet, water dispersible granules, a suspo-emulsion, a capsule suspension, an emulsifiable gel, or a suspension concentrate (flowable concentrate) .

9. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 8 wherein said additive is formulated as a microemulsion comprising: a) synthetic pyrethroid - 0.0003-50% b) organic solvent - 0.01-5% b) surfactant - 0.0001-10% d) water - balance

10. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 9 wherein said additive is formulated as a microemulsion comprising: a) synthetic pyrethroid - 0.05-0.25% b) organic solvent - 0.03-1% b) surfactant - 0.1-0.3% d) water - balance

11. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 10 wherein said additive is formulated as a microemulsion comprising: a) synthetic pyrethroid - 0.155% b) organic solvent - 0.067% b) surfactant - 0.19% d) water - balance

12. A floor cleaner additive according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid is cypermethrin .

13. A floor cleaner additive according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the organic solvent is an aromatic hydrocarbon.

14. A floor cleaner additive according to any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the surfactant is a non- ionic/ionic surfactant blend.

15. A floor cleaner additive according to any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein the formulation further comprises a preservative.

16. A floor cleaner additive according to any one of claims 9 to 15 wherein the preservative is provided in an amount from 0.0001-10%.

17. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the preservative is an isothiazolinone blend.

18. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 17 wherein the preservative is provided in an amount around 0.2%.

19. A floor cleaner additive according to any one of claims 9 to 18 wherein the formulation further comprises up to 1% of a water soluble dye.

20. A floor cleaner additive according to claim 19 including 0.0001% of a blue water soluble dye.

21. An insect expellent floor cleaning mixture comprising a floor cleaner, and a floor cleaner additive as defined in any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A floor cleaning mixture comprising 15 ml of a floor cleaner additive as defined in claim 11 and 8 litres of floor cleaner.

23. A floor cleaning mixture according to claim 21 or 22 wherein said floor cleaner is a diluted disinfectant.

24. A floor cleaning mixture according to claim 23 wherein the floor cleaner is a chlorine bleach, a quaternary ammonium compound or a phenolic disinfectant.

25. A floor cleaning mixture according to any one of claims 21 to 24 comprising 1 to 50 ppm synthetic pyrethroid.

26. A floor cleaning mixture according to claim 25 comprising around 3 ppm synthetic pyrethroid.

27. A method of preparing an insect expellent floor cleaning mixture, the method comprising adding a floor cleaner additive as defined in any one of claims 1 to 20 to a floor cleaner.

28. A method of preparing a floor cleaning solution, the method comprising adding 15 ml of a floor cleaner additive as defined in claim 11 to 8 L of a floor cleaner.

29. A method according to claim 27 or claim 28 wherein said floor cleaner is a diluted disinfectant.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein said floor cleaner is a chlorine bleach, a quaternary ammonium compound or a phenolic disinfectant.

31. A method of cleaning a floor and providing insect expellency therefrom, preferably cockroach expellency therefrom, said method comprising applying to a floor, a floor cleaning mixture as defined in any one of claims 21 to 26.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid residue level is between 1.32 mg/m² and 0.01 mg/m².

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid residue level is between 1.32 mg/m² and 0.044 mg/m².

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the synthetic pyrethroid residue level is about 0.087 mg/m².

35. A method according to claim 34 comprising applying 30 ml/m² of a floor cleaning mixture as defined in claim 22 to a floor.

36. Use of a floor cleaner additive as defined in any one of claims 1 to 20 for addition to a floor cleaner to provide a floor cleaning mixture for cleaning a floor and imparting insect expellency therefrom.

37. Use according to claim 36 wherein said floor cleaner is a diluted disinfectant.

38. Use according to claim 37 wherein said floor cleaner is a chlorine bleach, a quaternary ammonium compound or a phenolic disinfectant.

39. A kit comprising a floor cleaner additive as defined in any one of claims 1 to 20 and instructions for addition of the floor cleaner additive to a floor cleaner to provide a floor cleaning mixture for cleaning a floor and imparting insect expellency therefrom.

40. A floor cleaner additive substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the Examples excluding comparative examples .

41. A floor cleaning solution substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the Examples excluding comparative examples.

42. A method substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the Examples excluding comparative examples.

43. Use substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the Examples excluding comparative examples.