Electrostatic Insecticide Screens for Mausoleum Phorid Fly Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Phorid flies pose a significant infestation challenge in cemetery mausoleum buildings, disrupting the natural cycle of mating and reproduction, and existing methods are inadequate in effectively managing this pest issue.

Innovation Solution

The application of insecticide to electrostatic charged screens, which are fitted to various openings and vents within the mausoleum, including crypt vents, roof vents, floor drains, and exterior windows, to disrupt phorid fly mating and reproduction cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional pest management methods are used in mausoleums, then some level of pest control is achieved, but phorid fly infestation persists and reproduces continuously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidphorid fly infestation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation system is segmented into multiple independent components (crypt vents, roof vents, floor drains, exterior windows), and electrostatic screens are installed in each segment. This segmentation allows the insecticide treatment to be distributed throughout the entire ventilation network, ensuring comprehensive coverage and disrupting phorid fly life cycles at multiple points simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electrostatically charged screens serve as intermediaries between the insecticide and the phorid flies. The screens capture and hold the insecticide particles through electrostatic attraction, creating a persistent treatment barrier that continuously exposes phorid flies to the insecticide as they move through ventilation openings, thereby enhancing pest control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If electrostatic screens with insecticide are installed in all ventilation openings, then phorid fly activity is minimized, but the complexity of the pest management system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidscreen installation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single type of electrostatic screen design is used across all different ventilation openings (crypt vents, roof vents, floor drains, exterior windows). This universal screen can be fitted to various opening sizes and locations throughout the mausoleum, simplifying the overall system by using one standardized component for multiple functions rather than requiring different specialized screens for each opening type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrostatic screens are designed as relatively simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced. The insecticide treatment on the screens has a finite lifespan, and when effectiveness diminishes, the screens can be removed and replaced with freshly treated screens, avoiding the need for complex maintenance or re-treatment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If insecticide is applied to electrostatic screens, then phorid fly reproduction is disrupted, but the duration of insecticide effectiveness is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidinsecticide lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pest management system employs periodic replacement of the electrostatic screens every 6-8 months to coincide with the insecticide's effective lifespan. This periodic action ensures that screens are replaced before insecticide effectiveness significantly degrades, maintaining continuous pest control reliability without requiring more complex long-lasting treatment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Electrostatic screens are pre-treated with insecticide during manufacturing or installation preparation, allowing them to be ready for immediate deployment. This preliminary action ensures that screens arrive at installation sites already charged with effective insecticide levels, eliminating the need for on-site treatment applications and ensuring consistent initial effectiveness from day one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively minimizes phorid fly infestation by interrupting their life cycle, reducing fly activity and preventing infestation through the use of insecticide-treated screens installed strategically throughout the mausoleum.

Implementation Method 1

applying an insecticide to a plurality of first electrostatic charged screens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS12543720B2Systems and methods for minimizing phorid fly infestation in cemetery mausoleum buildings

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 ENSURE-A-SEAL INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for minimizing phorid fly infestation in cemetery mausoleum buildings are provided. An insecticide can be applied to electrostatically charged screens, which can be shaped to fit various openings in mausoleum buildings, including openings comprised by windows, crypt vents, roof vents, and floor drains. Standalone units can also be installed having insecticide applied electrostatically charged screens. The screens can be placed to interrupt the phorid fly mating and egg-laying process to limit or prevent phorid fly infestation in mausoleum buildings.