The invention relates to an insect removal trap and more particularly to a trap for bed bugs and the like having a climb-up pitfall trap and sensory lures (e.g. heat, carbon dioxide and/or a chemical lure).
The trap of the present invention provides a more effective approach to attracting and capturing blood-sucking insects, particularly bed bugs. It combines a number of collection techniques with improved efficacy due to a synergistic combination of elements. It also reduces the amount of sprayed or broadcast chemicals that are used because ubiquitous non-toxic agents boost the effect of small amounts of chemicals.
The bed bug, cimex lectularius, is a small crawling blood-sucking insect that feeds on human, bird and bat blood. In the 1940s and 1950s, the widespread use of DDT and other residual pesticides caused a drastic decline in the bed bug population. However, bed bugs have developed resistances to these chemicals and are a rising threat to the commercial health of resort hotels, apartments, college dormitories, cruise ships and airplanes.
One approach to capturing insects has been the use of pitfall traps. The essential components of a pitfall trap are a container or pit and an interior wall that cannot be climbed. For example, a bug that falls into the trap will be unable to escape because it cannot climb up the interior wall, and is captured. Rough surfaces are easily climbed by bed bugs. Using their hook-like tarsal claws to engage fibres and surface roughness, bed bugs are capable of navigating vertical surfaces, for example, the underside of beds and even the human body. In fact, bed bugs exhibit behavior that seems to favor climbing inclined surfaces. In contrast, smooth surfaces can prove insurmountable and may even repel bed bugs. Smooth, hard surfaces can be made from glass, ceramics, metals, finished treatments on polished wood, finished treatments on paper, plastics and polymers. Insect and arthropod pitfall traps are known in the art, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,062 to Spragins discloses an adapted outdoor pitfall trap for crawling and flying insects; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,774 to Sherman discloses an indoor pitfall trap for cockroaches.
Another approach to capturing insects is the use of sensory lures. One such sensory lure is heat. Bed bugs are attracted to heat since heat can indicate a warm-blooded body. A temperature in the range of 43 to 45 degrees Celsius (109.4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit) will attract bed bugs up to a distance of 25 mm at which point the bed bug will change path. Whereas a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) will attract bed bugs to make direct contact with the heat source, and then be repelled after making contact. Insect and arthropod heat lures are known in the art, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,576 to Nicosia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,436 to Nolen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,766 to Nolen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,559 to Simchoni, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,632 to Lin each disclose the use of simulated human body heat to attract mosquitoes; U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,176 to Keenan discloses the use of heat to attract fleas and ticks; and published U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0044372 to Lang discloses the use heat in the range of 26.6 to 37.7 degrees Celsius (80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) to attract bed bugs.
Another sensory lure is a chemical attractant. Bed bugs are attracted to chemical signals emitted by the hosts upon which they feed. Such chemical signals take the form of odor molecules, which drift away from the source by diffusion and by being carried in an air flow.
One chemical attractant is carbon dioxide, which is given off by respiring animals. Carbon dioxide is a ubiquitous gas in the atmosphere, with normal ambient background outdoor levels of 300 to 400 p.p.m. For example, normal adult human respiration expires around 200 ml/min of carbon dioxide, at a concentration of 45,000 p.p.m. in the expired air. Insects and arthropods that feed on host organisms are sometimes attracted to the increased carbon dioxide levels that are created by and thus surround the host. For example, tsetse flies and yellow fever mosquitoes are attracted by increased carbon dioxide levels over the ambient environment; blood-sucking conenose bugs are attracted by carbon dioxide levels between 300 and 400 p.p.m. over ambient levels; and mosquitoes are attracted linearly by carbon dioxide release rates up to 1,000 ml/min. Bed bugs are likewise attracted by carbon dioxide levels above ambient level.
Another chemical attractant detected by the olfactory senses of insects is an odor molecule such as L-lactic acid. L-lactic acid is a volatile component of human sweat that ranges in concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/l. In some blood-sucking arthropods, L-lactic acid, when presented as a single stimulus, has only a slight or non-attractive effect. But when presented with carbon dioxide, L-lactic acid acts as a synergist and increases the attractiveness of the gas. The use of lactic acid as an attractant is known in the art, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,366 to Balfour discloses a trap for attracting mosquitoes using a composition consisting of lactic acid, carbon dioxide, water and heat.
Other chemical attractant odor molecules are the group of chemicals known as fatty acids, and, in particular, short chain fatty acids. Fatty acids are a volatile compound that include, but are not limited to, compounds such as acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric and valeric acids, all of which are present in human waste. The use of fatty acids as an attractant is known in the art, for example, Japan Patent No. JP-A-59062504 to Yasushi discloses an attractant composition for non-bloodsucking onion flies consisting of propionic acid, n-butyric acid, isobutyric acid, n-valeric acid, isovaleric acid, isocaprionic acid and 2-phenylethanol. See, also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,526 to Wilson and U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,176 to Keenan.
Another such attractant odor molecule is 1-Octen-3-ol (octenol). Octenol is a volatile component of cattle and human breath and sweat. Octenol is a potent olfactory attractant for tsetse flies and some mosquito species when combined with increased levels of carbon dioxide; for blood-sucking conenose bugs even at ambient carbon dioxide levels; and for mosquitoes, some of which are synergistically attracted by octenol and increased levels of carbon dioxide together. Others are attracted by octenol at ambient carbon dioxide levels. Bed bugs are attracted by octenol, but octenol is not an essential element in attracting bed bugs as evidenced by the fact that octenol is not emitted by birds, one of the other hosts of bed bugs. The use of carbon dioxide and/or octenol as an attractant of mosquitoes, no-see-ums, biting flies and ticks is known in the art from, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,064 to Nolen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,422 to Dieguez, U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,436 to Nolen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,766 to Nolen, U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,243 to Wigton, U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,316 to Coventry, U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,122 to Iwao, U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,559 to Simchoni, published U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0025412 to Simchoni, U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,687 to Robison, U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,896 to McBride, U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,830 to Durand, U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,458 to Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,830 to Montemurro, and European Patent No. 1745697 to Geier.
Attractant chemical odor molecules can take on many forms and combinations. See, for example, European Patent No. WO 9826661 to Justus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,244 to Howes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,821 to Baker, U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,299 to Bennett, U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,279 to Bernier, U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,858 to Nolen, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,716 to Kollars.
Insect response to olfactory sensory neuron stimulation is dose dependent. For instance, the same compound may repel at one concentration and attract at another concentration.
The combination of highly effective chemical attractants with efficient traps allows for an improved control method to be developed. However, as is clear form the diversity of prior art, it is not possible to predict which compounds at which dosage levels will be effective attractants of a particular insect species. Accordingly, an effective trap for capturing bed bugs and the like, a lure composition for attracting bed bugs and the like, and a method for attracting and capturing bed bugs and the like is herein disclosed.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel trap, lure composition, lure arrangement, and method for attracting and capturing bed bugs and the like.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a climb-up pitfall trap for bed bugs and the like is provided. The trap comprises a rough exterior surface serving as an upward climbing wall. A precipice lines the inside edge of the exterior surface. A smooth interior surface is connected to the precipice and slopes downward from the precipice. A heat source and a carbon dioxide source are provided within an area surrounded by the interior surface. In addition, a lure composition may be provided.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a lure composition for attracting bed bugs and the like is provided. The lure composition comprises a combination of (a) L-lactic acid, and (b) a fatty acid selected from the group consisting of: (1) propionic acid, (2) butyric acid, and (3) valeric acid.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a lure arrangement for attracting bed bugs and the like is provided. The lure arrangement comprises a heat source, a carbon dioxide source, and a lure composition. The lure composition comprises a combination of (a) L-lactic acid, and (b) a fatty acid selected from the group consisting of: (1) propionic acid, (2) butyric acid, and (3) valeric acid.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, a method for attracting and capturing bed bugs and the like is provided. The method comprises positioning a climb-up pitfall trap in an infested environment. Then, providing the climb-up pitfall trap with a heat source, a carbon dioxide source and a lure composition. And then, activating the trap to expose the environment to heat from the heat source, carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide source and gaseous vapors from the lure composition.
Some aspects of the invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The receptacle 5 is defined by the interior surface 4 and a smooth, sloped retaining surface 6. The smooth retaining surface 6 extends upward to a center stage 7. The center stage 7 provides a supporting surface for sensory attractants and lures mounted or placed thereon.
It should be appreciated that a pitfall trap 1 that is not provided with a retaining wall 6 or a center stage 7 may still be provided with attractants and lures by placing the sensory attractants and lures in the environment enclosed within the interior surface 4.
The pitfall trap 1 is provided with sensory attractants and lures on the center stage 7, such as a heat source 8 and a carbon dioxide source 9. The heat source 8 and the carbon dioxide source 9 generate or emit heat and carbon dioxide, respectively, both of which mimic a human body to attract bed bugs and the like. In addition, the trap 1 may be provided with a lure composition 10. The lure composition 10 evaporates or emits an air born chemical composition specifically formulated to attract bed bugs and the like. Preferably, the heat source 8, the carbon dioxide source 9 and the chemical composition 10 are all placed proximate one another so that the emissions of each drift in approximately equal proportion and direction throughout the environment.
Referring to
The precipice 3 is, preferably, a smooth narrow edge less than 2 mm wide. The precipice 3 can be made from, covered by or coated by any smooth material. For example, the precipice 3 may be made from smooth materials including high-density polyethylene, polypropylene or glass.
Preferably, the interior surface 4 is a smooth downward-sloping four-sided structure. Referring to
Preferably, the retaining surface 6 is substantially vertical and smooth. However, the retaining surface 6 may slope at an acute angle, be vertical or slope at an obtuse angle. The retaining surface 6 may be polygonal or rounded. The only requirement placed on the shape of the retaining surface 6 is that the slope be sufficiently vertical to cause a bed bug to slip and, thus, confine the bed bug to the receptacle 5. The requirement placed on the slope of the retaining surface 6 is therefore interrelated with the smoothness/roughness of the retaining surface 6. A retaining surface 6 having surface roughness less than 100 microinch is sufficient to prevent a bed bug from gaining traction with a substantially vertical retaining surface 6. For example, the retaining surface 6 may be made from smooth materials including high-density polyethylene, polypropylene or glass.
Preferably, the center stage 7 is a substantially raised horizontal-plane supporting surface that is slightly lower than or equal in height to the precipice 3. Elevating center stage 7 allows the heat source 8, the carbon dioxide source 9, and/or the lure composition 10 to be isolated from contact with bed bugs and the like.
Preferably, the heat source 8 is an electric or chemical heat source that simulates or exceeds the temperature of the human body, for instance, in the range of 37 to 50 degrees Celsius (98.6 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit). Examples of electric heat sources include electrical heating pads for reptile cages and aquaria, therapeutic heat pads for human skin contact, and automobile rear-view mirror defrosters. Examples of chemical heat sources include exothermic reaction heating pads for food heating and medical compresses.
Preferably, the carbon dioxide source 9 is a compressed carbon dioxide gas or canister with a controlled release valve that emits carbon dioxide into the area circumscribed by the interior surface 4 so as to elevate the carbon dioxide level above the ambient level, for instance, between 300 p.p.m. and 1,000 p.p.m. Alternatively, any form of carbon dioxide source may be used, for example, solid carbon dioxide (i.e. dry ice) placed in an insulated mug with a small opening in a lid of the mug, or a carbonate salt combined with an aqueous acid solution. It has been shown that the carbon dioxide source 9 may emit between 2 and 1,000 ml/min of carbon dioxide while maintaining operability.
The lure composition 10 is a composition for attracting bed bugs and may comprise a combination of L-lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and/or octenol.
A preferred lure composition 10 comprises bed bug attracting amounts of L-lactic acid. L-lactic acid (CAS #50-21-5) is a carboxylic acid with a chemical formula of C3H6O3. L-lactic acid has a hydroxyl group adjacent to the carboxyl group, making it an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). In solution, L-lactic acid can lose a proton from the acidic group, producing the lactate ion CH3CH(OH)COO—. L-lactic acid is chiral and has two optical isomers. One is known as L-(+)-lactic acid or (S)-lactic acid and the other, a mirror image, is D-(−)-lactic acid or (R)-lactic acid. L-(+)-Lactic acid is the biologically important isomer used in the present invention. L-lactic acid is also called (+)-Lactic acid, (+−)-2-Hydroxypropanoic acid, (+/−)-Lactic acid, (R)-2-hydroxypropanate, (R)-lactate, (RS)-2-Hydroxypropionsaeure, (S)-(+)-Lactic acid, (S)-2-Hydroxypropanoic acid, (S)-2-Hydroxypropionic acid, (S)-2-Hydroxypropionsaeure, (S)-lactate, (S)-Lactic acid, (S)-Milchsaeure, 1-Hydroxyethanecarboxylic acid, 10326-41-7, 152-36-3, 1715-99-7, 2-Hydroxy-2-methylacetic acid, 2-hydroxy-propionic acid, 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, 2-hydroxypropionic acid, 26100-51-6, 28305-25-1, 29870-99-3, 31587-11-8, 4-03-00-00633 (Beilstein Handbook Reference), 50-21-5, 598-82-3, 72-17-3, 79-33-4, 814-81-3, Acidum lacticum, Acidum sarcolacticum, Aethylidenmilchsaeure, Al3-03130, alpha-Hydroxypropanoic acid, alpha-Hydroxypropionic acid, Biolac, BRN 1720251, BRN 5238667, C01432, CCRIS 2951, CHEBI:28358, Chem-Cast, Copper lactate (ic), Copper lactate Cu(O3H5C3)2, D-LACTATE, D00111, DL-Lactic acid, DL-Milchsaeure, E 270, EINECS 200-018-0, EINECS 201-196-2, EINECS 209-954-4, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 128929, Espiritin, Ethylidenelactic acid, FEMA No. 2611, FEMA Number 2611, Fleischmilchsaeure, HSDB 800, Indium lactate, Kyselina 2-hydroxypropanova [Czech], Kyselina mlecna [Czech], L( )-2-Hydroxypropionsaeure, L(+)-lactate, L-(+)-alpha-Hydroxypropionic acid, l-(+)-Lactic acid, L-LACTATE, L-Lactic acid, lac, Lacolin, Lactacyd, lactasol, lactate, Lactate (TN), lactic acid, Lactic acid (7Cl,8Cl), Lactic acid (JP14/USP), Lactic acid (natural), Lactic acid monosodium salt, Lactic acid USP, Lactic acid [JAN], Lactic acid, calcium salt (2:1), L-, Lactic acid, copper (2+) salt (2:1), Lactic acid, L-, Lactic acid, monosodium salt, Lactic acid, sodium salt, Lactic acid, strontium salt (2:1), Lactovagan, LMFA01050002, LS-180647, LS-2145, Milchsaeure, Milchsaure [German], Milk acid, Monosodium lactate, NCIOpen2—000884, NSC 367919, NSC112239, NSC112240, NSC112243, NSC122003, NSC31718, NSC367919, NSC370148, NSC77164, NSC97377, Ordinary lactic acid, Paralactic acid, Paramilchsaeure, Per-glycerin, PH 90, Poly(lactic acid), Polylactic acid, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-(9Cl), Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (+−), Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (+−)-, homopolymer, PROPANOIC ACID, 2-HYDROXY-, (.+−.)-, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (2S)-, PROPANOIC ACID, 2-HYDROXY-, (S)-, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (S)-(9Cl), Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, calcium salt (2:1), (S)-, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, homopolymer, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, monosodium salt, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, strontium salt (2:1), Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (.+−.)-, Propel, Propionic acid, 2-hydroxy-, PURAC, Purac FCC 88, PYR, Pyruvic Acid, Racemic lactic acid, Sarcolactic acid, Sodium .alpha.-hydroxypropionate, Sodium lactate, Sodium lactate, injection, Sodium lactic acid, Strontium lactate, SY-83, Tisulac and Tonsillosan.
Preferably, the lure composition 10 comprises bed bug attracting amounts of propionic acid. Propionic acid (CAS #79-09-4) is a volatile fatty acid, CH3CH2COOH. Prepared synthetically from ethyl alcohol and carbon monoxide, propionic acid is used chiefly in the form of its propionates. Propionic acid is also called propanoic acid, metacetonic acid, methylacetic acid carboxyethane, hydroacrylic acid, ethylformic acid, ethanecarboxylic acid, 1/C3H6O2/c1-2-5-3-4/h3H,2H2, 1H, 109-94-4, Aethylformiat, Aethylformiat [German], Al3-00407, Areginal, Carboxylic acid oxaethane, Caswell No. 443A, EINECS 203-721-0, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 043102, Ethyl formate, Ethyl formate (natural), Ethyl formate [UN1190] [Flammable liquid], Ethyl formic ester, Ethyl methanoate, Ethyle (formiate d') [French], Ethyle (formiate d') (FRENCH), Ethylester kyseliny mravenci [Czech], Ethylformiaat, Ethylformiaat [Dutch], Etile (formiato di) [Italian], Etile (formiato di) (ITALIAN), FEMA No. 2434, FEMA Number 2434, Formic acid, ethyl ester, FORMIC ACID, ETHYL ESTER, Formic ether, HSDB 943, Mrowczan etylu, Mrowczan etylu [Polish], NSC 406578, NSC406578, NSC8828, UN1190 and ZINC01648253.
Preferably, the lure composition 10 comprises of bed bug attracting amounts of butyric acid. Butyric acid (CAS #107-92-6) is either of two colorless isomeric volatile fatty acids, CH3CH2CH2COOH. Butyric acid is also called 1-Butyric acid, 1-propanecarboxylic acid, 1/C4H8O2/c1-2-3-4(5)6/h2-3H2,1H3,(H,5,6, 107-92-6, 156-54-7, 2-butanoate, 4-02-00-00779 (Beilstein Handbook Reference), 5434-68-4, Al3-15306, AIDS-096140, AIDS096140, BEO, Bio1—000444, Bio1—000933, Bio1—001422, BRN 0906770, BUA, Butanic acid, butanoate, butanoic acid, Butanoic acid, nickel (2+) salt, Butanoic acid, sodium salt, butoic acid, Buttersaeure, Buttersaeure [German], butyrate, Butyrate sodium, Butyrate, sodium salt, Butyric acid (natural), Butyric acid [UN2820] [Corrosive], Butyric acid [UN2820] [Corrosive], Butyric acid, nickel(II) salt, Butyric acid, sodium salt, C00246, CCRIS 6552, CH3-[CH2]2-COOH, CHEBI:30772, EINECS 203-532-3, ethylacetic acid, FEMA No. 2221, FEMA Number 2221, HSDB 940, IMET 3393, Kyselina maselna [Czech], LMFA01010004, LS-443, n-Butanoic acid, n-Butyric acid, NCI60—001424, NCIMech—000707, NSC 8415, NSC174280, NSC7701, NSC8415, propylformic acid, Sodium butanoate, Sodium butyrate, Sodium n-butyrate and UN2820.
Preferably, the lure composition 10 comprises bed bug attracting amounts of valeric acid. Valeric acid (CAS #109-52-4) is a volatile fatty acid, CH3CH2CH2 CH2COOH. Valeric acid is also called 1-Butanecarboxylic acid, 1/C5H10O2/c1-2-3-4-5(6)7/h2-4H2,1H3,(H,6,7, 109-52-4, 12124-87-7, 19455-21-1, 4-02-00-00868 (Beilstein Handbook Reference), 42739-38-8, 5434-69-5, 556-38-7, 56767-12-5, 6106-41-8, 70268-41-6, Al3-08657, AIDS-017600, AIDS017600, BRN 0969454, Butanecarboxylic acid, C00803, CH3-[CH2]3-COOH, CHEBI:17418, EINECS 203-677-2, FEMA No. 3101, HSDB 5390, Kyselina valerova [Czech], LAEVULINIC ACID, LEA, LEVULINIC ACID, LMFA01010005, LS-3150, n-Pentanoate, n-Pentanoic acid, n-Valeric acid, NSC 406833, NSC122828, NSC406833, NSC7702, PEI, Pentanic acid, Pentanoate, Pentanoic acid, Pentanoic acid Valeric acid, Pentanoic acid, nickel (2+) salt, pentoic acid, Propylacetic acid, SHF, Valerate, Valerianic acid, Valeriansaeure, Valeric acid, VALERIC ACID, N-, Valeric acid, nickel(II) salt, Valeric acid, normal and ZINC05955167.
Preferably, the lure-composition 10 comprises bed bug attracting amounts of 1-octen-3-ol (octenol). Octenol (CAS #3391-86-4) is mushroom alcohol, with a chemical formula C8H16O. Octenol is also called 1-Octen-3-ol (natural), 1-Okten-3-ol [Czech], 1-Vinylhexanol, 3-Hydroxy-1-octene, 3-Octenol, 3391-86-4, 50999-79-6, Al3-28627, Amyl vinyl carbinol, Amylvinylcarbinol, BRN 1744110, EINECS 222-226-0, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 069037, FEMA No. 2805, Matsuica alcohol, Matsutake alcohol, Matsutake alcohol [Japanese], NSC 87563, NSC87563, Oct-1-en-3-ol, Oct-1-ene-3-ol, Pentyl vinyl carbinol, and Pentylvinylcarbinol and Vinyl amyl carbine. In the present invention, R-(−)-1-octen-3-ol, which is a single isomer from the racemic mixture, is also operable. Racemic octenol (CAS #3687-48-7) is also known as EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 069038.
As stated above, the lure composition 10 comprises bed bug attracting amounts of a combination of L-lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and/or octenol. In particular, the lure composition 10, preferably, comprises a combination of L-lactic acid and a short chain fatty acid. The fatty acid may be taken from the group consisting of propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid. In addition, the lure composition 10 may also comprise octenol.
When combined in a specific ratio, the lure composition 10 has a synergistic effect. Preferably, the lure composition 10 comprises 300 parts L-lactic acid, 100 parts propionic acid, 1 part butyric acid, 1 part valeric acid, and 300 parts octenol, by weight with an acceptable variance of ±20% for each constituent.
As is well understood in the art, substitution of lure compounds may be highly desirable for effecting volatility properties. Reference to a material as a compound having a central nucleus of a stated formula may include any compound which does not alter the bond structure of the specified formula.
Compositions of the lure may comprise one or more compounds that have one or more chiral centers. Such compounds may exist and be isolated as optically active and racemic forms. Some compounds may exhibit polymorphism. It is to be understood that the present invention may encompass any racemic, optically-active, polymorphic, or stereoisomeric form, or mixtures thereof, of a compound of the invention, that possesses the useful properties described herein, it being well known in the art how to prepare optically active forms (for example, by resolution of the racemic form by recrystallization techniques, by synthesis, from optically-active starting materials, by chiral synthesis, or by chromatographic separation using a chiral stationary phase) or using other tests which are well known in the art.
The lure composition may be provided in any of a number of forms, solutions or carriers. For example, the use of L-lactic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid or valeric acid salts may be appropriate. Acceptable salts may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art. Alkali metal (for example, sodium, potassium or lithium) or alkaline earth metal (for example, calcium) salts of carboxylic acids can be made.
The lure composition 10 may be suspended in an aqueous solution, a gel matrix, a solid or a compressed gas form, as well.
The lure composition 10 formulations may be placed in any suitable container or device for dispensing the attractant compound and attracting or trapping bed bugs. For example, the formulations can be placed in a suitable device so that one can obtain evaporation of the attractant compound from a porous medium or wax-like medium containing the attractant compound positioned within the dispensing device.
As another alternative, the attractant lure composition 10 may be employed in any formulation suitable for dispensing effective amounts of attractant compounds. The compounds will generally be employed in formulations comprising a carrier containing the attractant compounds. An example of a suitable carrier is a gel matrix material which can be a hydrolyzed protein gel material such as gelatin or a polysaccharide gel as disclosed by Williams in U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,436 in 2004.
Another example carrier is a cooled paraffin wax and octenol solution mixed with salts of L-lactic acid, proprionic acid, butyric acid, and/or valeric acid. The attractant lure compounds may also be volatized from the liquid state directly from a wicking material with release rates controlled by head space and orifice size of a container.
In the lure arrangement 11 of
A method of using the pitfall trap 1 for attracting and capturing bed bugs and the like comprises the step of positioning a pitfall trap 1 in an environment suspected or known to be infested by bed bugs or the like. For example, the trap 1 may be placed on the floor in a bedroom known to be infested with bed bugs near or under a bed. The trap may be constructed with a central well in which the leg of a bed is set to capture bed bugs as they travel to or from the bed. Bed bugs are known, for example, to leave a bed during daylight hours only to return at night. The trap 1 may also be placed on the floor of a cargo bay or passenger cabin of a ship or airplane suspected of containing bed bugs. The climb-up pitfall trap 1 is loaded with the sensory lures comprised by the heat source 8, the carbon dioxide source 9 and the lure composition 10, as described above. The sensory lures are activated thereby exposing the environment to heat from the heat source 8, carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide source 9 and gaseous vapors from the lure composition 10. Bed bugs and the like will, then, be attracted towards the pitfall trap 1 and captured therein upon crossing the precipice 3 and becoming detained by the smooth interior surface 4 in the receptacle 5. The contained bug can then be disposed of in any number of ways.
Referring to
A molded polypropylene dog dish was turned upside down to form a climb-up pitfall trap 1 as shown in
The trap 1 was positioned on the floor of an apartment building known to be infested by bed bugs.
Referring to the chronological chart of
The trap 1 was then loaded with an octenol lure in addition to the heat source 8, but excluding lactic acid. The heat blanket again generated heat. The trap 1 with heat source 8 and octenol lure was tested for 14 days with the results shown in
The trap 1 was then loaded with an octenol and L-lactic acid lure as described above, in place of the octenol lure. The heat blanket again generated heat. The trap 1 with heat source 8 and octenol and L-lactic acid lure was tested for 14 days with the results shown in
All traps caught bed bugs, as shown in
A molded polypropylene dog dish was turned upside down to form climb-up pitfall trap 1 as described in Example 1. The exterior surface 2 was covered with Pellon® featherweight fusible interfacing to form a climbing surface. The surface of the receptacle 5 had a satin finish and was measured using a Mahr Federal Pocket Surf III probe to reveal a surface roughness of 33 to 96 microinch.
The trap 1 was positioned on the floor of an apartment building known to be infested by bed bugs.
As indicated in the bar chart of
The trap was then loaded with an octenol lure without L-lactic acid. The heat blanket again generated heat. The trap with heat source 8 and octenol lure was tested several times for 14 days with less effective results than heat alone.
The trap was then loaded with an octenol and L-lactic acid lure, in place of the octenol lure. The heat blanket again generated heat. The trap with heat source 8 and octenol and L-lactic acid lure was tested several times for 14 days and showed a mean trap count greater than heat or octenol alone.
The trap was then loaded with an experimental lure consisting of a combination of 100 micrograms of L-lactic acid, 33 micrograms of propionic acid, 0.33 micrograms of butyric acid, 0.33 micrograms of valeric acid and 100 micrograms of octenol (lure composition 10), the experimental lure being combined in a fragrance releasing gel. The heat blanket again generated heat. The trap with heat source 8 and the experimental lure (lure composition 10) was tested several times for 14 days, and on average caught two (2) times as many bed bugs as the other traps.
A molded polypropylene dog dish was turned upside down to form the climb-up pitfall trap 1 as described in Example 2.
The trap 1 was positioned on the floor of an apartment building known to be infested by bed bugs, and was tested without any lure. This served as the control test illustrated as Test 6 in
The trap was loaded with a heat blanket (heat source 8). The heat blanket generated temperatures of 44.8 to 47.3 degrees Celsius (112.6 to 117.1 degrees Fahrenheit). The trap 1 with heat source 8 was tested with results shown as Test 2 in
The trap was then loaded with a flexible tube connected to a 5 lbs. compressed carbon dioxide cylinder (carbon dioxide source 9). The carbon cylinder emitted 500 ml/min of carbon dioxide through a tube to the area over the center stage 7 of the trap. The trap with carbon dioxide source 9 was tested with the results shown as Test 4 in
The trap was then loaded with an experimental lure comprising: 100 micrograms of L-lactic acid, 33 micrograms of propionic acid, 0.33 micrograms of butyric acid, 0.33 micrograms of valeric acid and 100 micrograms of octenol (i.e., “lure composition 10”), the experimental lure being combined in a fragrance releasing gel. The trap with experimental lure (lure composition 10) was tested with the results indicated in Test 5 of
The trap was then loaded with the heat blanket and the carbon dioxide cylinder. The trap with heat source 8 and carbon dioxide source 9 was then tested with the results indicated in Test 3 of
The trap was then loaded with the heat blanket, the carbon dioxide source, and the experimental lure of test 5. The trap with heat source 8, carbon source 9 and experimental lure (lure composition 10) was then tested with the results indicated in Test 1 of
Each trap arrangement in
As indicated in
As indicated by the results shown in
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional patent application No. 60/992,836 filed on Dec. 6, 2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
109282 | Williams | Nov 1870 | A |
140954 | Rubarth | Jul 1873 | A |
280291 | Bunnell | Jun 1883 | A |
400460 | Jennings | Apr 1889 | A |
602410 | Selvidge | Apr 1898 | A |
898852 | Duggan | Sep 1908 | A |
1024767 | Dempster | Apr 1912 | A |
1135159 | Cox | Apr 1915 | A |
1265481 | Mosby | May 1918 | A |
1471986 | Voges | Oct 1923 | A |
1515094 | Cumbie | Nov 1924 | A |
1521323 | Reeder | Dec 1924 | A |
1569170 | Braun et al. | Jan 1926 | A |
1614157 | Schneider | Jan 1927 | A |
1621318 | Edwards et al. | Mar 1927 | A |
1667048 | Rawlings | Apr 1928 | A |
1772989 | Emley | Aug 1930 | A |
1944784 | Cook | Jan 1934 | A |
1971367 | Brooke | Aug 1934 | A |
2162502 | Goulard | Jun 1939 | A |
2167978 | Balthasar | Aug 1939 | A |
2255360 | Miller | Sep 1941 | A |
2345408 | Martin | Mar 1944 | A |
2435317 | McGrew | Feb 1948 | A |
2606391 | McGrew | Aug 1952 | A |
3550308 | Ibach | Dec 1970 | A |
4030233 | Wunsche | Jun 1977 | A |
4223012 | Anderson et al. | Sep 1980 | A |
4263740 | Hemsarth et al. | Apr 1981 | A |
4328637 | Eichmuller et al. | May 1982 | A |
4423564 | Davies et al. | Jan 1984 | A |
4506473 | Waters, Jr. | Mar 1985 | A |
4522190 | Kuhn et al. | Jun 1985 | A |
4600581 | Aldrich | Jul 1986 | A |
4608774 | Sherman | Sep 1986 | A |
4698934 | Gonzalez et al. | Oct 1987 | A |
4747230 | Zalesky | May 1988 | A |
4803954 | Welch et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
4818526 | Wilson et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
4907366 | Balfour | Mar 1990 | A |
5042192 | Osteen | Aug 1991 | A |
5069166 | Ahuna | Dec 1991 | A |
5090153 | Mullen et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
5189830 | Montemurro | Mar 1993 | A |
5193302 | Rusco et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5205064 | Nolen | Apr 1993 | A |
D335940 | McGrath et al. | May 1993 | S |
5253450 | Muramatsu | Oct 1993 | A |
5253609 | Partelow et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5258176 | Keenan | Nov 1993 | A |
5277149 | East | Jan 1994 | A |
5339563 | Job | Aug 1994 | A |
5382422 | Dieguez et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5392559 | Long | Feb 1995 | A |
5414954 | Long | May 1995 | A |
5560315 | Lampe | Oct 1996 | A |
5561941 | Long | Oct 1996 | A |
5566500 | Long | Oct 1996 | A |
5577461 | Sebastian et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5657575 | Miller et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5657576 | Nicosia | Aug 1997 | A |
5771628 | Nobbs | Jun 1998 | A |
5799436 | Nolen et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5855185 | Scott | Jan 1999 | A |
5900244 | Howse | May 1999 | A |
5926999 | Vernon et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5979360 | Tharp | Nov 1999 | A |
5996531 | Anderson | Dec 1999 | A |
6055766 | Nolen et al. | May 2000 | A |
6106821 | Baker et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6145243 | Wigton et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6199316 | Coventry | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6305122 | Iwao et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6327810 | Howse | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6505433 | Roberts | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6510648 | Roberts | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6513280 | Roberts | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6516559 | Simchoni et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6593299 | Bennett et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6718687 | Robison | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6790436 | Williams et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
6800279 | Bernier et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6860062 | Spragins | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6866858 | Nolen et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6898896 | McBride et al. | May 2005 | B1 |
6920716 | Kollars et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
7074830 | Durand et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7117632 | Lin | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7171778 | Thompson, III | Feb 2007 | B1 |
7243458 | Miller et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7299587 | Metcalfe | Nov 2007 | B1 |
7343710 | Metcalfe | Mar 2008 | B2 |
7591099 | Lang et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
D668314 | MacKay et al. | Oct 2012 | S |
8402690 | Schneidmiller et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
8635807 | Frisch et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8677679 | Black et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
20020112396 | Nyberg | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20040025412 | Simchoni et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20050138858 | Lyng | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20060150473 | Bette | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20070044372 | Lang | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20080017775 | Gary | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080072830 | Wrigge | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20090056633 | McDaniel et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090145019 | Nolen et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090145020 | McKnight | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090223115 | Lang et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090229528 | McMurtry | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090260276 | Kirsch et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090282728 | McKnight et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100212213 | Hope et al. | Aug 2010 | A1 |
20100223837 | Borth et al. | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20110041385 | Faham et al. | Feb 2011 | A1 |
20110047860 | Black et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110072712 | Black et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110138678 | Smith | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110209665 | Rizk et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110225873 | McKnight et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20120204477 | Fairleigh et al. | Aug 2012 | A1 |
20120246998 | Vasudeva et al. | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20130047495 | Frisch | Feb 2013 | A1 |
20130180161 | Vasudeva et al. | Jul 2013 | A1 |
20130180162 | Vasudeva et al. | Jul 2013 | A1 |
20130219771 | Black et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20130318861 | Roeder | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20140075825 | Vasudeva et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140250766 | Singh et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140311016 | Wang et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
10108179 | Sep 2002 | DE |
1745697 | Jan 2007 | EP |
2463953 | Apr 2010 | GB |
07203821 | Aug 1995 | JP |
08154553 | Jun 1996 | JP |
08256658 | Oct 1996 | JP |
10229801 | Sep 1998 | JP |
11346628 | Dec 1999 | JP |
11346629 | Dec 1999 | JP |
2000139318 | May 2000 | JP |
2003061541 | Mar 2003 | JP |
2005065631 | Mar 2005 | JP |
59062504 | Jan 2007 | JP |
2007074908 | Mar 2007 | JP |
9826661 | Jun 1998 | WO |
WO9926471 | Jun 1999 | WO |
WO2005120224 | Dec 2005 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/013431 filed Dec. 5, 2008 (3 pages). |
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/013431 filed Dec. 5, 2008 (5 pages). |
Aboul-Nasr, A.E.; Erakey, M.A.S., “Behavior and Sensory Physiology of the Bed-Bug, Cimex lectularius L., to Some Environmental Factors: Chemoreception”, Bull. Soc. Entomol. Egypte., 1968, pp. 353-362, vol. 52. |
Aboul-Nasr, A.E.; Erakey, M.A.S., “The Effect of Contact and Gravity Reactions Upon the Bed-bug, Cimex lectularius L.”, Bull. Soc. Entomol. Egypte., 1968, pp. 363-370, vol. 52. |
Aboul-Nasr, A.E.; Erakey, M.A.S., “On the Behavior and Sensory Physiology of the Bed-bug”, Bull. Soc. Entomol. Egypte., 1967, pp. 43-54, vol. 51. |
Busvine, James, “Insects and Hygiene: The Biology and Control of Insect Pests of Medical and Domestic Importance in Britain”, 1951, pp. 221-232, Methuen & Co. Ltd., London. |
Cwilich, R.; Nier, GG; Meron, AV; “Bedbugs Resistant to Gamma BHC (lindane) in Isreal”, Nature, Mar. 23, 1957, p. 636, vol. 179. |
Doggett, Stephen, “A Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestations in Australia (Draft)”, Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association, Oct. 20, 2005, pp. 1-47. |
Doggett, Stephen L.; Geary, Merilyn J.; Russell, Richard C. “Encasing Mattresses in Black Plastic Will Not Provide Thermal Control of Bed Bugs, Cimex spp. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)”, J. Econ. Entomol., 2006, pp. 2132-2135, vol. 99, No. 6, Entomological Society of America. |
Fletcher, M.G.; Axtell, R.C. “Susceptibility of the Bedbug, Cimex lectularius, to Selected Insecticides and Various Treated Surfaces”, Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 1993, pp. 69-72, vol. 7. |
Hartnack, Hugo “Unbidden House Guests”, 1943, pp. 60-62, Hartnack Publishing Co., Tacoma, Wash. |
Hebert, Michael “Get the Roll Surface Right”, Plastics Technology (www.PTOnline.com), 2007, Gardner Publications, Inc. |
Lehane, M.J. “The Biology of Blood-Sucking in Insects”, 2004, pp. 32-43, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press. |
Lofgren, C.S.; Keller, J.C.; Burden, G.S. “Resistance Tests with the Bed Bug and Evaluation of Insceticides for Its Control”, Journal of Economic Entomology, Apr. 1958, pp. 241-244, vol. 51, No. 2, Entomological Society of America. |
Mallis, Arnold “Handbook of Pest Control: The Behavior, Life History, and Control of Household Pests”, 1960, pp. 392-418, Third Edition, MacNair-Dorland Co., New York. |
Marshall, Adrian G., “The Ecology of Ectoparasitic Insects”,1981, pp. 165-203, Academic Press, New York. |
Marx, Ruth “Ober Die Wirtsfindung Und Die Bedeutung Des Artspezifischen Duftstoffes Bei Cimex lectularius Linne”, 1954, pp. 40-72. |
Mellanby, Kenneth “The Physiology and Activity of the Bed-bug (Cimex lectularius L.) in a Natural Infestation”, Parasitol, 1939, pp. 200-211, vol. 31. |
Moore, David J.; Miller, Dini M. “Laboratory Evaluations of Insecticide Product Efficacy for Control of Cimex lectularius”, Journal of Economic Entomology, 2006, pp. 2080-2086, vol. 99, No. 6, Entomological Society of America. |
Murlis, John; Elkinton, Joseph S.; Carde, Ring T. “Odor Plumes and How Insects Use Them”, Annu. Rev. Entomol, 1992, pp. 505-532, vol. 37, Annual Reviews Inc. |
Overal, W.L.; Wingate, L.R. “The Biology of the Batbug Stricticimex antennatus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) in South Africa”, Ann. Natal. Mus., 1976, pp. 821-828, vol. 23(3). |
Panagiotakopulu, Eva; Buckland, Paul C. “Cimex lectularius L., the Common Bed Bug from Pharaonic Egypt”, 1999, Antiguity Publications, Ltd. |
Quarles, William “Bed Bugs Bounce Back”, The IPM Practitioner: Monitoring the Field of Pest Management, Mar./Apr. 2007, pp. 1-8, vol. XXIX, No. 3/4. |
Rivnay, Ezekiel “Studies in Tropisms of the Bed Bug Cimex lectularius L.”, Parasitology, 1932, pp. 121-136, vol. 24. |
Romero, Alvaro; Potter, Michael F.; Potter, Daniel A.; Haynes, Kenneth F. “Insecticide Resistance in the Bed Bug: A Factor in the Pest's Sudden Resurgence?”, Journal of Medical Entomology, 2007, pp. 175-178, vol. 44(2). |
Schofield, Steven W.; Sutcliffe, James F. “Human Individuals Vary in Attractiveness for Host-Seeking Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) Based on Exhaled Carbon Dioxide”, Journal of Medical Entomology, 1996, pp. 102-108, vol. 33, No. 1. |
Sutcliffe, James F. “Distance Orientation of Biting Flies to Their Hosts”, Insect Sci Applic., 1987, pp. 611-616, vol. 8, Nos. 4:5:6, ICIPE Science Press. |
Usinger, Robert L. “Monograph of Cimicidae (Hemiptera-Heteroptera)”, 1966, pp. 16-49, vol. VII, The Thomas Say Foundation. |
Wainwright, S.A.; Biggs, W.D.; Currey, J.D.; Gosline, J.M. “Mechanical Design in Organisms”, 1976, 100-101, A Halsted Press Book, John Wiley & Sons, New York. |
Wright, Lawrence “Warm & Snug: The History of the Bed”, 1962, pp. 131-134, pp. 165-167, Sutton Publishing. |
Barrozo, RB; Lazzari, CR. 2004a. “The Response of the Boold-sucking Bug Triatoma infestans to Carbon Dioxide and other Host Odours”. Chem. Senses. 29:319-329. |
Barrozo, RB; Lazzari, CR. 2004b. “Orientation Behaviour of the Blood-sucking Bug Triatoma infestans to Short-chain Fatty Acids: Synergistic Effect of L-Lactic Acid and Carbon Dioxide”. Chem. Senses. 29:833-841. |
BioSensory.com, NightWatch, http://www.biosensory.com/nightwatch.html (last visited Sep. 30, 2008). |
Bosch, OJ; Geier, M; Boeckh, J. 2000. “Contribution of Fatty Acids to Olfactory Host Finding of Female Aedes aegypti”. Chem. Senses 25:323-330. |
Bosch, OJ; Geier, M; Boeckh, J. 1999. “Ammonia as an Attractive Component of Host Odour for the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti”. Chem. Senses 24:647-653. |
Miller, DM “Your Bed Bug Questions Answered” http://www.msnbc.com/id/12133597 (last visited on Sep. 30, 2008). |
Munoz, SS; “New Tactic Take a Bite Out of Bedbugs”, The Wall Street Journal, Mar. 20, 2008, pp. 1-3. |
Reinhardt, M; Siva-Jothy, M; 2007. “Biology of the Bed Bugs (Cimicidae)”. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 52:351-374. |
Smallegange, R; Qiu, YT; Van Loon, JJ; Takken, W. “Synergism between ammonia, lactic acid adn carboxylic acids as kairomones in teh host-seeking behaviour of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Diptera: Culcidae)”. Chem. Senses 30:145-152. |
Bennett, GW; Wang, C; Mcgraw, G.; El-Nour, MA. “Traps and Attractants for Monitoring Bed Bug Infestations” S. McKnight, Biosensory, Inc. |
An Office Action issued in corresponding Canadian Appln. No. 2,723,624 dated Jun. 13, 2012 (3 pages). |
An Office Action issued in corresponding Canadian Appln. No. 2,707,490 dated Jul. 9, 2012 (2 pages). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20090145020 A1 | Jun 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60992836 | Dec 2007 | US |