Slippery paints : Eco-friendly coatings that cause ants to slip

摘要: Abstract Many insects are considered to be pests and can serious threats buildings. Insecticides represent an effective way control pest but harmful the environment. As eco-friendlier alternative, we have formulated waterborne, organic paints which provided a slippery physical barrier for leafcutter ants ( Atta cephalotes ) on vertical surfaces. Different were produced by varying Pigment Volume Concentration (PVC) amount of TiO 2 CaCO 3 particles, characterised in terms contact angles, surface roughness scrub resistance. The paints’ slipperiness A. was evaluated climbing tests paint panels (by recording percentage fallen ants). Two main factors reduced insects’ attachment surfaces: (1) PVC: above critical PVC, more loose particles detach from coating thereby reduce insect attachment; (2) type, dimensions shape solid particles: easily than 2, probably due their larger size platelet shape. Paints at PVC 70 containing 20 wt% showed best performance slipperiness, as well providing good