Flying insect catcher

Abstract

A flying insect trap includes a housing for holding an insecticidal liquid and a basket removably mounted within the housing. The basket includes a plurality of holes, and the housing and the basket are arranged such that a portion of the insecticidal liquid within the housing can pass through the holes into the interior of the basket. Each of the housing and the basket includes at least one opening such that flying insects can travel from an exterior of the housing through the at least one opening of the housing and the basket to an interior of the basket. The basket is arranged such that if the housing holds the insecticidal liquid and one or more insect carcasses are present in the insecticidal liquid within the basket, when the basket is removed from the housing, the one or more insect carcasses remain within the basket and are removed from the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flying insect trap. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a flying insect trap having a housing for holding an insecticidal liquid in which the insects are killed. Background Art

[0002] A known type of trap for catching flying insects (e.g., flies) is called a "redtop" fly trap. This trap consists of a transparent plastic bag suspended from a rigid ring around the top of the bag, from which the trap is hung, for example, on a wall. The bag is filled with an insecticide that attracts and kills insects, such as flies (order Diptera) and gregarious wasps (order Hymenoptera). The lid has an opening through which insects can enter, where they are killed by the liquid. This trap is particularly useful for catching large numbers of annoying flying insects. The insecticide can be, for example, a sweet or meaty liquid that attracts insects by releasing volatile chemicals that attract them. Although the insecticide can "actively" kill insects by having a chemical effect on them (e.g., by poisoning them), it is often the case that the insecticide simply attracts the insects into the trap, where they cannot escape and eventually drown.

[0003] A disadvantage of this trap is that the dead insects, already killed by the liquid, are visible through the clear plastic bag, making the trap unsightly. Furthermore, to clean the trap, the liquid and the dead flies must be disposed of together, resulting in wasted liquid. The flexible nature of the clear plastic bag also makes it difficult to dispose of neatly.

[0004] The present invention seeks to solve or alleviate some or all of the above problems.Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved flying insect trap. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flying insect trap comprising:

[0006] a housing for holding an insecticide solution;

[0007] a basket removably mounted within the housing, wherein the basket includes a plurality of apertures, and wherein the housing and the basket are arranged such that a portion of the insecticide liquid within the housing can pass through the apertures into an interior of the basket;

[0008] wherein each of the housing and the basket includes at least one opening such that flying insects can travel from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the basket through the at least one opening of the housing and the basket; and

[0009] The basket is arranged such that when the housing holds insecticidal liquid and one or more insect carcasses are present in the insecticidal liquid within the basket, when the basket is removed from the housing, the one or more insect carcasses remain within the basket and are removed from the housing.

[0010] Because the basket includes multiple holes, it is liquid-permeable. This means that when the housing (which is impermeable to liquid) holds a sufficient volume of insecticide, a portion of the liquid will be inside the basket, while the remainder will be outside. Flying insects can then fly into the insecticide liquid inside the basket through at least one opening in the housing and the basket, where they die. Subsequently, particularly when a large number of insects have died in the insecticide liquid, the basket can be removed from the housing to empty the trap. When this is done, the insect carcasses remain inside the basket, making it easy to dispose of them and return the now empty basket to the housing. However, when the basket is removed from the housing, the insecticide liquid will flow through the multiple holes, leaving it inside the housing when the basket is removed. In addition to making it easier to empty the trap, this also allows the insecticide liquid to be reused, rather than being disposed of while the trap is being emptied.

[0011] The housing may be formed of a transparent or translucent material. This allows one to easily see how many flying insects have been caught in the trap and whether the insecticide solution needs to be replenished, for example because it has evaporated over time. For example, the housing may be made of a transparent plastic material.

[0012] The housing may be formed of a rigid material. Alternatively, the housing may be flexible, such as a flexible plastic bag.

[0013] The basket can be formed from an opaque material. In particular, when the housing is formed from a transparent material, this prevents the dead insects in the insecticide solution in the basket from being easily visible, thereby making the trap less unsightly. The basket can be formed from a rigid material. The basket can include a mesh, such as a wire mesh. The basket can be formed entirely or substantially from a mesh, or can have multiple mesh panels. The basket can be formed from a plastic material. The plurality of holes can be voids formed in the material of the basket. The diameter of the voids can be 3 mm to 4 mm. The size of the holes can be smaller than that of an adult fly, an adult wasp, or an adult mosquito.

[0014] Any openings in the housing may only allow insects to travel from outside the housing to inside the basket. In other words, there is no path for insects to travel from outside the housing to inside the housing but outside the basket, and especially to any liquid in the housing but outside the basket. This means that all insects die in the insecticidal liquid inside the basket.

[0015] The housing and at least one opening of the basket may be at least partially aligned. This provides a path for insects to pass directly from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the basket. The at least one opening may be fully aligned.

[0016] One or more of the at least one opening of the housing and the basket may include a funnel-shaped portion with the smaller end of the funnel facing the interior of the basket. This allows insects to easily enter the trap but not easily escape. The housing opening, the basket opening, or both may be funnel-shaped.

[0017] The basket can be removed from the housing through an opening in the housing, and the flying insect trap may further comprise a lid covering the opening. The lid may be hinged on the housing, for example, or may be completely removable from the housing to allow the basket to be removed from the housing.

[0018] The lid may include at least one opening, allowing flying insects to pass from the exterior of the housing through at least one opening in the lid, housing, and basket into the interior of the basket. The lid opening may partially or completely align with an opening in the housing and / or basket. The at least one opening in the lid may include a funnel, with the smaller end of the funnel facing the interior of the basket. This allows insects to easily enter the trap but not easily escape. The opening in the housing and / or basket may also be funnel-shaped.

[0019] The housing may include at least one additional opening on the side of the housing so that flying insects can travel from the outside of the housing through the at least one additional opening to the inside of the basket. The basket may include at least one additional opening on the side of the basket, which at least one additional opening may be partially or completely aligned with the at least one additional opening on the side of the housing. The at least one additional opening of the housing and / or basket may include a funnel. The "side" of the housing and basket refers to the horizontal side of the housing or basket when the trap is hung on a wall (as opposed to the top or bottom of the housing or basket). It has been found that wasps prefer to enter the holes in the side of the trap rather than the holes in the top.

[0020] The basket may be pink in colour. Pink has been found to be particularly attractive to wasps. The housing may alternatively or additionally be pink.

[0021] The flying insect trap may contain an insecticidal liquid within the housing. The insecticidal liquid may be an insect attractant. The insecticidal liquid may be, for example, a sugar solution, a protein-based solution, or a liquid bait formulated to attract specific flying insects. As with known red-top fly traps, the insecticidal liquid may be a sweet or meaty-smelling liquid that attracts insects by releasing volatile chemicals that attract the insects. The insecticidal liquid may actively kill the insects by having a chemical effect on them (e.g., by poisoning them), or it may simply attract the insects into the trap from which they cannot escape and ultimately drown.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for a flying insect trap as described above, the kit comprising:

[0023] a housing for holding an insecticide solution;

[0024] A basket is arranged to be removably mounted within the housing, the basket including a plurality of apertures.

[0025] The kit of parts may also include a cover for covering the opening in the housing.

[0026] Of course, it should be understood that features described with respect to one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1a A flying insect trap according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 1b shows the flying insect trap of FIG1 with its cover opened;

[0030] Figure 2 shows the housing of the flying insect trap of FIG1 ;

[0031] Figure 3 shows the basket of the flying insect trap of Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 4a shows the top of the cover of the flying insect trap of Figure 1;

[0033] Figure 4b shows the bottom of the cover of the flying insect trap of Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 5a The bottom of the funnel-shaped cover of the flying insect trap of FIG. 1 is shown;

[0035] Figure 5b shows the top of the funnel-shaped portion of the flying insect trap of FIG1 ;

[0036] Figure 6a shows the top of the cover of the lid of the flying insect trap of FIG. 1 ;

[0037] Figure 6b shows the bottom portion of the cover of the lid of the flying insect trap of FIG. 1 ;

[0038] Figure 7 A flying insect trap according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 8 Shown Figure 7 A housing for a flying insect trap;

[0040] Figure 9 Shown Figure 7 baskets for flying insect traps; and

[0041] Figure 10 Shown Figure 7 The side funnel of a flying insect trap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Now refer to Figures 1a to 6b A flying insect trap according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1a and Figure 1b The assembled flying insect trap 1 is shown, wherein Figure 1a In the closed configuration of the cover 4 and Figure 1b The cover is in the open configuration.

[0043] The flying insect trap 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 is Figure 2 The housing 2 is rectangular in cross-section and tapers at a constant rate from the open top to the closed bottom. The housing 2 is formed of a transparent plastic material. The housing 2 has markings on its side indicating the volume of liquid contained in the housing 2, such as a 1.5L mark 27. On one edge of the top of the housing 2 there is a hinged fitting 24, to which the lid 4 is hinged. The lid 4 is discussed in more detail below. In particular, Figure 1a and Figure 1b As shown, wall fixings 21 and 22 are provided on the rear side of the housing 2 , by means of which the housing 2 can be mounted on a wall or other suitable surface.

[0044] Within the housing 2 a basket 3 is positioned. Figure 3 The basket 3 is shown in more detail in FIG. Similar to the housing 2, the basket 3 has a rectangular cross section that tapers from the open top to the closed bottom. Figure 1b As shown, basket 3 is sized to be completely contained within housing 2, with space between the top of basket 3 and the top of housing 3, and between the bottom of basket 3 and the bottom of housing 2. The upper portion of basket 3 is sized to taper, specifically so that the outer surface of basket 3 contacts the inner surface of housing 2. In other words, the upper portion of basket 3 tapers at the same rate as the corresponding portion of housing 2. This ensures that when basket 3 is placed within housing 2, it is held in place by pushing the upper portion of basket 3 against the corresponding portion of housing 3. The lower portion of basket 3 tapers more rapidly than the corresponding portion of housing 2, resulting in gaps between the outer surface of the lower portion of basket 3 and the corresponding inner surface of housing 2, and between the bottom of basket 3 and the bottom of housing 2.

[0045] The lower half of the basket 3 includes six rows of holes 31 on each side. The diameter of these holes is 3mm to 4mm. The holes 31 provide an opening between the interior of the basket 3 and the gap between the exterior of the lower half of the basket 3 and the housing 2.

[0046] A handle 32 is provided within the top end of the basket 3, with posts 33 at each end extending through holes in the sides of the basket 3. This allows the handle 32 to be rotated between a horizontal storage position, in which the handle is completely within and below the top of the basket 3, and a vertical use position, in which the handle extends above the top of the basket 3 and can be used to remove the basket 3 from the housing 2.

[0047] As mentioned above, the flying insect trap 1 further includes a cover 4. The cover 4 is attached to the housing 2 by a hinge portion 44 engaged with the hinge fitting 24 of the housing 2 so that the cover 4 can be opened and closed. Figure 1a Closed position shown and Figure 1b Rotates between the open positions shown. Figures 4a to 6b The cover 4 is shown in more detail.

[0048] Lid 4 includes a cover 41 and a funnel 42. Funnel 42 extends downward from an open top to a hole 43 in the center of the funnel, so that when lid 4 is in the closed position on housing 2, funnel 42 extends downward into the interior of housing 2. Funnel 42 has posts 48 at each corner, into which corresponding posts 49 on cover 41 extend to secure cover 41 over the top of funnel 42. Posts 48 and 49 separate cover 41 and the top of funnel 42, providing a gap 45 around each side of lid 4. Therefore, when lid 4 is closed on housing 2, insects have a path from the outside of lid 4 through gap 45, hole 43, and into the interior of housing 2.

[0049] In use, the housing 2 of the trap 1 is partially filled with a certain volume of insecticide liquid, for example, 1.5 liters of insecticide liquid, so that the top of the insecticide liquid is at the 1.5 L mark 27. Because the housing 2 is transparent, the liquid level can be seen from the outside of the housing 2. Therefore, when the amount of insecticide liquid has decreased and needs to be replenished, it can be seen that the liquid level has decreased, for example due to evaporation of the insecticide liquid and / or when the trap 1 is emptied of the dead flying insects, as discussed in more detail below. For this purpose, the 0.5 L mark and the 1 L mark on the outside of the housing 2 can be used. For example, when the insecticide liquid level has dropped to the 1 L mark, the insecticide liquid can be replenished.

[0050] Housing 2 can be filled with insecticide liquid with basket 3 removed from or in place within housing 2. In either case, due to aperture 31 in basket 3, insecticide liquid can flow freely between the interior and exterior of basket 3 while basket 3 is within housing 2. Whether basket 3 is within housing 2 while housing 2 is being filled with insecticide liquid, or basket 3 is placed within housing 2 after being filled with insecticide liquid, this results in a certain volume of insecticide liquid within basket 3, with the remainder between the exterior of basket 3 and housing 2. The top of the insecticide liquid is at the same level both inside and outside of basket 3, i.e., approximately at the 1.5 L mark 27.

[0051] In order to be used to catch flying insects, the trap 1 is fixed to a wall or other suitable surface by means of the wall fixing members 21 and 22. The cover 4 is closed so that the trap 1 is in a Figure 1a The closed configuration is shown, in which the only route from the outside to the inside of the trap 1 is via the gap 45 in the cover 4 .

[0052] Over time, the insecticide liquid will begin to evaporate, a situation exacerbated by warm weather and / or when trap 1 is exposed to direct sunlight. The evaporated insecticide liquid will escape from trap 1 through gaps 45 in lid 4. Flying insects will be attracted by the evaporated insecticide liquid and will enter gaps 45, traveling down funnel 42 through holes 43 into the interior of housing 2, and specifically into basket 3. The flying insects will not easily escape back through holes 43 in funnel 42, but will, in due course, come into contact with the insecticide liquid in basket 3 and die therein.

[0053] In this way, the trap 1 will attract and kill flying insects. All flying insects will die in the insecticide liquid in the basket 3, so even if the shell 2 of the trap 1 is transparent and the level of the insecticide liquid in the shell 2 is visible from the outside of the trap 1, the bodies of the flying insects will not be visible from the outside of the trap 1.

[0054] When trap 1 needs to be emptied of dead flying insects, lid 4 is opened and basket 3 is removed from housing 2 using handle 32. As basket 3 is lifted from housing 2, the insecticide liquid in basket 3 flows through holes 31, so that the insecticide liquid (or at least the vast majority of it) remains within housing 2 and is not removed with basket 3. However, due to the size of holes 31, the dead flying insects killed by the insecticide liquid remain within basket 3. This allows the dead flying insects to be easily disposed of, and the insecticide liquid can continue to be used without having to be disposed of along with the dead flying insects.

[0055] Now refer to Figures 7 to 10 A flying insect trap according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 7As can be seen, the flying insect trap 100 is similar to the flying insect trap 1 of the first embodiment and, in particular, shares common components such as the cover 4. However, the flying insect trap 100 has a different housing 200 and basket 300, which are provided with additional holes through which flying insects can enter the housing 200 and are designed to be particularly attractive to wasps.

[0056] like Figure 8 As shown, the housing 200 is identical to the housing 2 of the first embodiment, except that the housing 200 has six holes 210 on its top (which corresponds to the top of the basket 300), each of which has a diameter of approximately 5 cm. The two long sides of the housing 200 each include two holes 210, and the two short sides of the housing 200 each include one hole 210.

[0057] like Figure 9 As shown, the basket 300 is similar to the basket 3 of the first embodiment, except that the basket 300 has six holes 310 on the top, each of which is also about 5 cm in diameter, which correspond to the six holes 210 of the housing 200. Each of the six holes has a slot 311 on the left and right sides. Figure 7 When the flying insect trap is assembled as shown, a funnel 350 is positioned in each of the six holes 310 of the basket 300, one of which is shown at Figure 9 Each funnel 350 has clips 353 on opposite sides that slide into slots 311 in hole 310 to hold the funnel in place on hole 310. Funnel 350 tapers from edge 351 to hole 352, which has a diameter of approximately 2 cm. When funnel 350 is in place in hole 310, it extends from the outside of basket 300 to the inside of basket 300.

[0058] When basket 300 is positioned within housing 200, aperture 310 of basket 300 aligns with aperture 210 of housing 200, with the rim 351 of each funnel 350 providing a seal between the outer surface of basket 300 and the inner surface of housing 200. Thus, each funnel 350 allows flying insects from outside housing 200 to enter the interior of basket 300 (and prevents the flying insects from being able to easily escape again), while preventing the flying insects from entering the space between basket 300 and housing 200. In use, this provides an alternative route for flying insects to enter trap 1 and be killed by the insecticide liquid.

[0059] In an embodiment, the basket 300 is pink in color, as this color has been found to be particularly attractive to wasps.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to many different variations not specifically described herein. Some possible variations will now be described by way of example only.

[0061] In the above description, if wholes or elements with known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents are mentioned, these equivalents are incorporated into the text as if set forth separately. The true scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the claims, which should be interpreted as including any such equivalents. The reader should also recognize that wholes or features of the invention described as preferred, advantageous, convenient, etc. are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. In addition, it should be understood that although they may be beneficial in some embodiments of the invention, these optional wholes or features may not be desired and therefore may not exist in other embodiments.

Claims

1. A flying insect trap comprising: a housing for holding an insecticide liquid; a basket removably mounted within the housing, wherein the basket includes a plurality of apertures, and wherein the housing and the basket are arranged such that a portion of the insecticide liquid within the housing can pass through the apertures into an interior of the basket; wherein each of the housing and the basket includes at least one opening such that flying insects can travel from the outside of the housing to the inside of the basket through the at least one opening of the housing and the basket; and Wherein, the basket is arranged so that when the shell holds insecticidal liquid and one or more insect corpses are present in the insecticidal liquid in the basket, when the basket is removed from the shell, the one or more insect corpses remain in the basket and are removed from the shell.

2. The flying insect trap according to claim 1, wherein The housing is formed of a transparent material.

3. The flying insect trap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The basket is formed of an opaque material.

4. A flying insect trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein Any openings in the housing allow insects to travel only from the outside of the housing to the inside of the basket.

5. A flying insect trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The housing and the at least one opening of the basket are at least partially aligned.

6. A flying insect trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein One or more of the at least one opening of the housing and the basket comprises a funnel with a smaller end facing the interior of the basket.

7. A flying insect trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The basket is removable from the housing through an opening in the housing, and wherein the flying insect trap further includes a lid covering the opening.

8. The flying insect trap according to claim 7, wherein The cover includes at least one opening such that flying insects can travel from the outside of the housing to the inside of the basket through the cover, the housing, and the at least one opening of the basket.

9. The flying insect trap according to claim 8, wherein The at least one opening of the cover comprises a funnel with a smaller end facing the interior of the basket.

10. A flying insect trap according to any preceding claim, wherein The housing includes at least one further opening on a side of the housing such that flying insects can travel from the outside of the housing to the inside of the basket through the at least one further opening.

11. A flying insect trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The color of the basket is pink.

12. A flying insect trap according to any preceding claim including an insecticidal liquid within the housing.

13. The flying insect trap according to claim 10, wherein The insecticide liquid is an insect attractant.

14. A kit of parts for a flying insect trap according to any preceding claim, comprising: a housing for containing an insecticide liquid; A basket is arranged to be removably mounted within the housing, the basket comprising a plurality of apertures.

15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising a cover for covering the opening in the housing.

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