The present invention relates to insect-trapping devices for attracting and trapping biting flies (e.g. mosquitoes, sand flies, and biting midges) and nuisance flies (e.g. house flies, filth flies, and fruit flies).
Biting flies and nuisance flies are major pests because of their troublesome biting behavior, and the general irritation they cause. Furthermore, some species are carriers of various human and animal diseases. Current control methods for these flies include: source reduction by removal and/or modification of breeding habitats, the use of pesticides to reduce larval and adult populations, and removing adults by trapping devices and toxic bait stations.
There are numerous specialized traps in the prior art available to attract and kill all kind of insects; nevertheless, no trap in the prior art has been shown to be equally good at eliminating biting flies and nuisance flies. Typically, traps have a combination of attracting features (e.g. optical parameters, heat, CO2, and chemical odors) and catching/killing features (e.g. suction, sticky paper, electric grids, and pesticides). Apart from some simple sticky traps, all insect traps depend on external energy sources. Small existing traps using solar power have not proven to be effective at catching and controlling mosquitoes. Energy for the various components of conventional traps (e.g. light sources, suction, and heat) is either provided by batteries, an electrical-outlet connection, or combustion.
The most important long-distance attracting feature is CO2, produced in conventional traps by combustion, release of CO2 from bottles, chemical reactions, and/or catalytic processes. Some of the major problems in the designs of prior-art traps, especially large outdoor traps, include the energy source, the airflow, the air turbulence, and the availability of CO2. Specifically, the problems, associated with existing traps based on conventional features, include the following:
Traps dependent on propane tanks, carbon dioxide tanks, or electricity make the trap more difficult to install and use. Furthermore, carbon dioxide tanks are not readily available to the average consumer.
Most small and large indoor and outdoor mosquito traps operate using a source of suction (e.g. a ventilator). The resulting air turbulence often repels small insects, especially blood-sucking flies. So-called bug zappers are effective at killing large fast-flying insects, but small slow-flying insects (e.g. biting flies and most nuisance flies) are repelled by the fields generated by the electric grid.
Examples of trapping methods are: EP1477061 discloses an apparatus having a body carrying an insect-collecting bag impregnated with an insecticide and connected to a suction inlet, the suction action being effected through the inside of the apparatus by means of a motor-driven unit, the body of the apparatus supporting at the top a dome carrying a series of high-luminosity LEDs and a chemical-action attraction support, capable of attracting the insects toward the entrance inlet subjected to the suction action for their collection in the inner bag with insecticidal effect. FR2851721 discloses a portable device for destruction of biting/flying insects that uses a battery-powered electric motor with a flexible cutter line attached to a rotor.
It would be desirable to have more effective insect-trapping devices for attracting and trapping mosquitoes and other blood-sucking flying insects.
It is the purpose of the present invention to provide insect-trapping devices for attracting and trapping mosquitoes and other blood-sucking flying insects that improve on the prior art. Specifically, insect-trapping devices utilizing: shape and color patterns as a visual target; heat, CO2, and chemical attractants to attract biting and nuisance flies toward the device; UV light to knock out the flies' orientation; and improved suction and shielded electric grids to eliminate the flies from the vicinity.
The present invention discloses insect-trapping devices having several configurations. Some preferred embodiments of the present invention include an item of electrical/electronic equipment for eliminating, by means of attraction and suction, any type of insect, especially dipterous insects (e.g. flies and mosquitoes). Preferred embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus for outdoor use and an apparatus for indoor use. Such indoor use includes homes, hotels, hospitals, food outlets, and more generally the interior and exterior of any space where it is desired to remove insects in the space. To attract the insects, two or more complementary senses (e.g. smell, sight, and taste) are used.
According to the present invention there is provided a system for attracting and catching insects, especially biting flies and nuisance flies. The system features improved attracting and catching capability, and attractant dissipation. The combination of the features mentioned is important as there are numerous known parameters which are synergistic in attracting and catching biting flies and nuisance flies.
Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided for the first time an insect-trapping device for catching biting and nuisance flies, the device including: (a) at least two heat-emitting elements for attracting insects; (b) a light-emitting element, positioned below the heat-emitting element in the trap, for disorienting sensory perceptions of the insects; (c) a transparent grill for covering the light-emitting element; (d) an attractant-emitting element configured to emit at least one attractant in a vicinity of the trap, the attractant-emitting element positioned below the heat-emitting element in the device; (e) a collection compartment, positioned below the ventilator, for desiccating and storing trapped insects; (f) a ventilator, positioned below the light-emitting element in the device, configured: (i) to create an airflow through the device; (ii) to disperse at least one attractant; and (iii) to draw in attracted insects into the collection compartment; and (g) a device housing for housing at least two heat-emitting elements, the light-emitting element, the transparent grill, the attractant-emitting element, the collection compartment, and the ventilator; wherein at least two heat-emitting elements, the light-emitting element, the transparent grill, the attractant-emitting element, and the ventilator are operative to synergistically effect an attraction of the insects into the device.
Preferably, the housing is configured to be a visual attractant for the insects using alternating dark and light color-patterns on a three-dimensional shape.
Preferably, at least two heat-emitting elements includes a heating film, configured to produce a heating pattern having at least two separated parallel strips, covered by a dark sheath.
Preferably, at least two heat-emitting elements are configured to be combined to form a concave surface that is tilted in an angle of 20-70° toward a base of the device, the surface having at least one center-portion slit through which the insects are drawn into the trap.
Preferably, the attractant-emitting element is configured to store and emit different types of at least one attractant, wherein the types are at least one type selected from the group consisting of: a liquid form, a dry solid form, a moist solid form, an embedded form, a cartridge form, a slow-release form, and wherein the attractant-emitting element is configured to have an adjustable airflow regulator adapted to select a release rate and a dispersion rate of at least one attractant.
Preferably, the light-emitting element includes an ultraviolet light source, having an emission wavelength of 280-320 nm, wherein the light source is centered in a gap between at least two heat-emitting elements.
Preferably, the transparent grill is transparent to UV light, and is configured to allow the light to be directed toward at least two heat-emitting elements.
According to the present invention, there is provided for the first time an insect-zapping device for catching biting and nuisance flies, the device including: (a) a light-emitting element for attracting and disorienting insects; (b) a zapper base for supporting the light-emitting element; and (c) an electric grid for zapping the insects, the electric grid oriented parallel to the zapper base and positioned below the light-emitting element.
Preferably, the device further includes: (d) a ventilator for drawing in attracted insects toward the electric grid.
Preferably, the electric grid is configured to be powered when the ventilator is being powered.
More preferably, the device further includes: (e) a funnel for causing the attracted insects to fall toward the electric grid.
More preferably, the device further includes: (e) a metal mesh for shielding electric and magnetic fields generated by the electric grid.
More preferably, the device further includes: (e) a collection compartment for storing zapped insects.
Most preferably, the device further includes: (f) a metal mesh for shielding electric and magnetic fields generated by the electric grid, and for preventing human contact with the electric grid.
More preferably, the device further includes: (e) at least one panel for causing the attracted insects to fall toward the electric grid.
Most preferably, at least one panel is configured to be heated and to have a dark color.
According to the present invention, there is provided for the first time an insect-trapping device for catching biting flies, the device including: (a) a cover having an integrated solar panel and control unit; (b) a collection compartment, positioned below the cover, for storing trapped insects; (c) a light-emitting element, positioned below the collection compartment, for disorienting sensory perceptions of attracted insects by emitting light; (d) a ventilator, having apertures on top and bottom, configured: (i) to create an airflow through the device; (ii) to push the attracted insects from above toward the collection compartment; and (iii) to pull the attracted insects from below toward the collection compartment; and (e) an emitter ring, having an attractant chamber and a CO2 generator, positioned in close contact to the ventilator, the emitter ring for releasing CO2 and at least one attractant into a vicinity of the device; (f) a heat-emitting element, positioned in close contact to the emitter ring, for heating the CO2.
Preferably, the cover is configured to be tilted in to a desired angle for optimizing utilization of sunlight.
Preferably, the cover has a bottom alignment rim for diverting about 80% of the airflow, coming from the ventilator and attractant chamber, towards an upper portion of the device.
Preferably, the control unit has different pre-programmed operational modes including at least one mode selected from the group consisting of: an energy-saving mode, regular mode, short-term mode, long-term mode, a high-performance mode, a day mode, a night mode, and a day/night mode.
Preferably, the collection compartment includes an air baffle, having an internal labyrinth/valve system, for enabling the attracted insects to enter the collection compartment while the ventilator is operational, and for preventing the trapped insects from emerging from the collection compartment while the ventilator is not operational.
Preferably, the device further includes: (g) an airflow director for directing the airflow into the collection compartment.
Preferably, the light-emitting element is configured to produce light having an emission wavelength of 280-320 nm.
Preferably, the light-emitting element is shielded by a reflector for redirecting light from the light-emitting element toward a lower portion of the device in order to reduce an attraction of non-target insects.
Preferably, the light-emitting element, the heat-emitting element, the ventilator, the CO2 generator, and the attractant chamber are each configured to synchronously operate according to independent on/off duty cycles.
These and further embodiments will be apparent from the detailed description and examples that follow.
The present invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present invention relates to insect-trapping devices utilizing: shape and color patterns as a visual target; heat, CO2, and chemical attractants to attract biting and nuisance flies toward the device; UV light to knock out the flies' orientation; and improved suction and shielded electric grids to eliminate the flies from the vicinity. The principles and operation for such insect-trapping devices, according to the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and the drawings.
Referring now to the drawings,
The heating arrangement of heated surface 1 includes multiple strips of heating film with about 1-4 cm between each strip, making sure to have sufficient heat, as well as a unique, fluctuating heating pattern with a temperature gradient from 42° C. to ambient room temperatures. The maximum temperature on the surface of ComboTrap 100 is about 42° C.
The requirements for such a controlled and patterned heating arrangement comes from the need to imitate the body-heat pattern of warm-blooded prey for biting flies (e.g. about 37-44° C.), as well as the heating patterns emitted by rotting organic matter (e.g. several degrees above ambient temperature) for house and filth flies. An attractant-dispersant outlet 12, shown in
In
Examples of attractants include lactic acid, octenol, flowers extracts, and fruit extracts. Even water will enhance the attraction of mosquitoes due to the presence of moisture. The unique configuration of ComboTrap 100 allows the attractants emitted by the trapped insects to blend with attractants contained in the attractant cell 10. Some trapped insect species, especially house flies before and even after their death, emit attractants through their body. Furthermore, attractant cell 10 serves to isolate trapped insects from the attractants (especially liquid attractants) in order to avoid possible rotting of the trapped insects (and by this to avoid producing a foul odor).
ComboTrap 100 includes an electronic board 17 for controlling all electrical functionality of ComboTrap 100 including current regulation and temperature control, and a power socket 18. A collection-compartment cover 19, having a mesh cone, enables insects to enter collecting portion 11, but gives the insects only a very small aperture (e.g. 8-15 mm) to leave (e.g. “fish basket” principle). Collection-compartment cover 19 keeps trapped insects inside ComboTrap 100, and makes sure that the airflow forces the insects into collecting portion 11. A lower airflow director 20 and an upper airflow director 21 are two sleeves which direct the airflow, and keep the airflow in one flow path. A grid, located on lower airflow director 20, prevents fingers from contacting ventilator 9 even when collection compartment 101 is exposed.
The trap according to the present invention includes an attractant which may be suitable for all kinds of insects, especially for mosquitoes. An attractant “cocktail” can be yielded from fermentation processes with different types of yeast. Among these attractants, the most potent ones are lactic acid, acetone, 3-methylbutanol, glutamic acid, tyrosine, lysine, and phenylalanine. These attractants (as well as others not specified here) are collected from the fermentation process (by collecting the emitted gases), and are enriched and embedded in ethanol, aqua dist., or other suitable carriers including all kinds of slow-release substances. The attractants, with the carrier, can be packed in a variety of cartridges to ensure easy handling and long shelf-life. The attractants that are based on food products and processes are also FDA-exempt.
The attractants are either released in the main air-stream, or released through attractant-dispersant outlet 12 towards the front of ComboTrap 100 with the help of a specially-diverted partial air-stream, or by passive diffusion only. Attractant-dispersant outlet 12 diffuses the air at an angle of approximately 30° relative to the x-z plane, as shown in
Such magnetic and electric fields act as a repellant toward other insects as well; however, because such insects are flying at such high speeds, the insects to not have enough time to redirect their course. Thus, the insects collide into the electric grid, and are zapped. In contrast, mosquitoes tend to have a hovering and swarming flight pattern as they assess their prey. Thus, when the mosquitoes feel the presence of the fields, they are repelled, and redirect their course before colliding into the electric grid.
A better view of the internal components of SolarTrap 300 can be seen in
Heating element 304 is a small, circular component that heats emitter ring 303 (e.g. 39-44° C.) by surrounding the release valve of the CO2 generator of emitter ring 303 to attract biting flies into the capture zone of SolarTrap 300. A ventilator 305 is used to “push/pull” the mosquitoes. Ventilator 305 works in pulses of about 5-10 sec. on, followed by about 15-60 sec. off. The use of such pulses increases the efficiency of SolarTrap 300 as mosquitoes are disturbed by strong air streams and air turbulences, as well as noises. Emitter ring 303 is situated in close contact with ventilator 305.
A UV light source 306 (e.g. 280-320 nanometer emission wavelength) enhances the performance of SolarTrap 300 by disorienting attracted insects. A reflector 307 is used to intensify and direct the UV light emitted from light source 306. UV light from light source 306 is shielded by protruding, concave reflector 307, and redirected toward the ground to reduce the attraction of non-target species that might otherwise be attracted from a far distance to the ultraviolet light emanating from SolarTrap 300. The emitted UV light shines downward in a conical shape toward the ground.
So, while the mosquitoes approach the released CO2 and attractant, hovering around the capture zone of SolarTrap 300, the UV knocks out their orientation, the air pulses take the mosquitoes by surprise and force the mosquitoes into a collection compartment 308. The push/pull function is used to account for the fact that mosquitoes, located above and below ventilator 305, are affected by the air pulses, and pushed/pulled into collection compartment 308. By nature of the configuration and push/pull operation, the “capture area” is doubled compared to conventional suction traps which only “pull” mosquitoes into the collecting section. Collection compartment 308 makes sure that the airflow will not crumble the trapped and desiccated (i.e. fragile) mosquitoes. Attractant cartridges (e.g. octenol and/or lactic acid) can be hung on a hook below ventilator 305.
Synchronization of heat, light, airflow, CO2, and attractant release occurs as follows: heating element 304 is continuously operational, the UV light and airflow are pulse-programmed, the CO2 is released in short pulses every 5 to 10 seconds, and the attractant is evenly and continuously released.
An exemplary program cycle is provided here for illustrative purposes. Light source 306 is programmed to operate in pulses of about 5-10 sec., followed about 1-2 sec. later by ventilator 305 operating for about 5-10 sec., followed by an interval of about 10-60 sec. without any airflow or light. The length of the intervals depends on the various modes that can be selected. CO2 is only emitted while there is no airflow. The pulsed features significantly increase the performance of SolarTrap 300 to catch mosquitoes because biting flies are disturbed considerably by airflow and noise (from ventilator 305). The off-duty intervals (of ventilator 305 and light source 306) allow the attractants and CO2 to form highly-attractive plumes in the vicinity of SolarTrap 300. Furthermore, the off-duty intervals allow mosquitoes to approach such plumes undisturbed. After which, the UV light knocks out the mosquitoes orientation, making it easy for ventilator 305 to push/pull them toward collection compartment 308.
An air baffle 309, forming an internal labyrinth/valve system, is integrated into collection compartment 308. The labyrinth/valve-system structure enables mosquitoes to enter, but ensures that the mosquitoes cannot emerge from air baffle 309. An airflow director 310 (resembling downward-pointing funnel) forces the air above into collection compartment 308. A wire mesh 311 lines the walls of collection compartment 308, and enables maximum air to flow through SolarTrap 300. A solar panel 312 is used to energize heating elements 304, ventilator 305, light source 306, the magnetic field used for the CO2 generator, and the rechargeable batteries over time.
A transparent protective cover 313 can be opened in order to access control center 302. Cover 313 can be tilted to a desired angle (depending on the latitude SolarTrap 300 is deployed at) in order to ensure an optimal utilization of sunlight, and proper alignment of the bottom of cover 313 to divert about 80% of the airflow coming from emitter ring 304 and ventilator 305) toward the top of SolarTrap 300.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications, and other applications of the invention may be made.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IL07/00631 | 5/24/2007 | WO | 00 | 11/23/2008 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60747820 | May 2006 | US |