CA2623601A1 - Method and apparatus for an artificial breeding pool with automatic filtration system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus to automatically ensure an ideal and clean insect breeding pool by providing an ovitrap for insects to lay their eggs, with complete and thorough timely solution filtration to ensure that no contaminants (including sticks and leaves, slime and other biological bi-products, live or dead insects, either adult or immature) are left, while retaining both the natural chemical cues released by hatching eggs, and attractants in solution in a secondary container below the filter. Once the solution has been filtered, a pump recycles the filtered solution to the ovitrap from the secondary container to begin a new cycle. The apparatus constructed modularly, so that the apparatus can be easily repaired, modified, or made manual, depending on situation or user requirement. This method and apparatus has been tested and shown to work extremely effectively on the family Culcidae (mosquito).

Description

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates generally to traps for biting insects, mainly blood sucking insects. More particularly, the present invention maintains an optimum breeding pool for insects, specifically the for family Culicidae (mosquito), but not restricted to it.

Background of the Invention [0002] It is well documented that biting insects, specifically Culicidae (mosquito), are a vector of many diseases throughout the world. Extensive efforts have been carried out worldwide to diminish/eliminate mosquitoes, as they are vectors for diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as well as other biting insects, from areas frequented by humans or their domesticated animals, using many different methods and technologies.

[0003] For the sake of this discussion, the description will be primarily limited to the control of mosquitoes, but this invention is not limited only to the family Culicidae.
Mosquitoes are one of the most widespread biting insects, and the described system has been tested and proven effective on mosquitoes by the authors. However, the functionality of this invention would apply to any other insect that deposits its eggs in this device, and will similarly be controlled. Further research is required to isolate suitable attractants for other insects, which is beyond the scope of this invention.

[0004] There are many different kinds of systems to deal with adult insects, from adult traps, nets, topical repellants and others. However, these techniques do not have an impact on the life cycle of the insects, and are therefore not a consideration with respect to this invention.

[0005] The only way to truly decrease the number of mosquitoes that are available to bite humans is to decrease the local population. This can be done by interrupting the life cycle of the insect in its aquatic stages. Each gravid (pregnant) mosquito, for example, can lay as many as 200-300 eggs, and this can exponentially increase the mosquito population in a very short time.
However, if one is able to consistently stop the reproductive cycle before the young reach maturity, the local population of mosquitoes can be dramatically decreased in the treated area.

[0006] Research has shown that mosquitoes will only travel approximately 250m in the search for food and/or breeding location, and, therefore, if you decrease the local population, there will be considerably fewer mosquitoes in a given area. When the local population is depressed for an entire season, there will be fewer mosquitoes available to lay eggs that will over winter (assuming the trap is in a colder climate), which will in turn assure a smaller starting population for the next season. Over time, the same effect can be attained even in tropical climates.

[0007] There has been extensive use of various pesticides to accomplish this, both air and water borne, but these are extremely problematic. Serious long lasting consequences to both the environment and human health have resulted (e.g DDT, malathion) from the use of such pesticides.
Included in this grouping are larvicides and adulticides used by many known inventions, for example U.S. Patent No. 6389740 (Perich et al) and similar. Any use of pesticides are not desired for environmental reasons, and these chemicals are known to repel insects, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of the device. Furtherniore, there is evidence that some species of mosquito are beginning to become resistant to these chemicals, and it is therefore of paramount importance to ensure that any method will not be subject to the possibility of resistance.

[0008] Many biting insects, including mosquitoes, require stagnant pools of water in order to lay their eggs. Traps to accomplish this are known as ovitraps. In order improve the effectiveness of an ovitrap, the contained water must be made more appealing to the mosquito than other breeding locations in the area. An attractant can be added to the water to make it somewhat preferred. An example of such a device can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 3997999, (Evans), using a styrofoam coffee cup, water, and an attractant. There are many different types of attractants that can be used to accomplish this, which are too numerous to mention. The described invention can use any of these, but they are not required for the trap to function. The water used must also be free of fish (i.e. not from a source having fish) and other predators, chlorine (as found in urban tap water), pesticides, petroleum products and surfactants, as these will signal to the insect an unsuitable breeding location.

[0009] Once a mosquito arrives at the breeding pool, and lays its eggs, it leaves the trap.
After a few hours (varying by species), the eggs hatch, releasing the larvae into the solution to grow.
After the eggs are laid, a chemical cue is released that signals to other mosquitoes that location is a successful breeding site, which in turn attracts other mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Most of this chemical cue is thought to be released after hatching. This chemical cue is a very effective attractant, and acts synergistically with any attractant already in solution.
Over time, if this chemical cue is preserved, the trap will attract mosquitoes from a larger area, with greater effectiveness over natural locations.

[0010] The invention described herein capitalizes on this fact, by ensuring the retention of this chemical cue, and, over time, concentrating it as more mosquitoes lay their eggs. In previous years, variants of the described device were emplaced by the authors in various locations known to have considerable mosquito populations, and were monitored to determine their effectiveness.
Through the season, the desirable chemicals were maintained, and the effectiveness was greatly increased. These locations were determined to be preferentially used over both controls and natural locations, and had a significant impact on the local mosquito population. No known prior art preserves a clean solution, such that it might be reused to attract more mosquitoes.

[0011] A discovery in the aforementioned testing process was that various biological contaminants were introduced into the solution naturally, among them dead insects, debris (sticks and leaves), as well as algae and a fermented slime from the organics that are required in the solution by the insect. These contaminants are problematic, most notably the slime. Over time, it builds up on the surface of the solution, and can completely stop the deposition of eggs, as the mosquitoes cannot get to the water. The contaminants also result in a substantial smell. Filtering the solution is therefore of paramount importance to keep these contaminants from building up, so that the solution will remain in its optimum state.

[0012] It should be noted that a screen or mesh is not sufficient to filter the solution. Given the diminutive size of the eggs and the first and second instars (mosquito larvae), which can be less than 1/10 mm in size. A very fine screen is required, much finer than a normal window screen, in order to successfully remove all larvae and pupae from the solution, and any screens with such a small aperture are either so fragile that they cannot be used for this purpose because they would become punctured too easily, or would clog very quickly in the case of metal meshes. This is of special importance, because the vast majority of the prior art, for example U.S. Patent No.
20070074447 (Kalogroulis) and similar use screens or mesh to remove eggs, larvae and pupae from the solution. US Patent No. 6990768B1 (Boston) suggests the use of a 'filter belt', however, this is described as "a woven metal mesh that has sufficiently small openings so that mosquito eggs and larvae are retained". From the description, this is a screen. Due to the aforementioned additional contaminants, these systems would either become useless, or potentially make the problem worse since there is no failure mode to contain the resultant adult mosquitoes. In addition, the trap described in US Patent No. 6990768B 1(Boston) would more than likely result in larvae, pupae and contaminants making it past this step, as they would stick to the 'filter belt' until washed off by following cycles, and put into the reservoir.

[0013] It is also necessary to completely drain the solution through the filter at once, to ensure nothing is missed; larvae and pupae can swim, and can potentially avoid capture if there locations where they can survive. Some known inventions, for example, US
Patent No.
2006/0086037A1 (Roberts) and U.S. Patent No. 6886293 (Forehand) and similar entrust that the larvae and pupae will find their way into the part of the device that will attempt to remove or retain them, which is virtually impossible to ensure. Furthermore, in the case of system malfunction, systems such as US Patent No. 2006/0086037A 1(Roberts) will leave an ideal breeding pool with no method of preventing release of adult insects, thereby making the problem worse.

[0014] Once filtered, the solution must be returned to the ovitrap. As mentioned, the added chemical cues released by the eggs laid by the insects will make the trap more effective. This can be done by using a pump, manually, or any other method.

[0015] A pump is preferred, because this allows the possibility of keeping the ovitrap full to an optimum level without human interaction; mosquitoes are most prevalent when the ambient temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius, and therefore evaporation is an ongoing concern. By keeping a larger volume of solution in the container below the filter, additional solution can be added to the ovitrap as is needed. The volume of solution below the filter should be larger than that of the ovitrap and protected from direct sunlight to limit evaporation.
Furthermore, by having a large volume of clean solution, it is easier to ensure that the chemical cues are retained in solution, even through extended dry spells.

[0016] Automation of this method is preferred because the life cycle of the mosquito can be very short. In ideal conditions, depending on species, mosquitoes can go from egg to adult in as little as 4 (four) days. It is therefore necessary to filter the solution more regularly, ideally every two or three days. However, with various usage scenarios (such as at a recreational properties, remote locations, limited human resources, etc.), people may not be available to cycle the system as regularly as is required to both maintain the effectiveness of the solution, and prevent new mosquitoes from leaving the trap. It is therefore desirable that any system be able to operate unattended for a minimum of 28 days. This requirement further accentuates the problems in the known art, since they would require regular attendance to keep them functioning.

[0016] When automating the process, the slime becomes the most important factor to consider. Failure to address the slime and resulting blockage will either greatly reduce the effectiveness of the trap, if not stop it from functioning altogether. If the filter does not function properly, it would either do nothing at all, or make the mosquito problem much worse. In the scope of this invention, it should be noted that any type of filter designed to work with aqueous media, remove particles as small as newly hatched larvae, and sufficient surface area and height to continue to function over several cycles can be used. An example of such a filter would be the type used in a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

[0017] Due to the automation requirement, there must be electrical elements such as a pump and a motorized valve, as well as a control system with a timer to start the process. It should be noted, however, that these components must be at a minimum, for simplicity and cost. Those components that are included should be robust and resistant to the environment, including the slime.
Elements of the apparatus must also be in place to monitor water levels, and, when water is scarce (due to a lack of rainwater or human intervention), the apparatus must be able to ensure that the apparatus enters into a default state that will make sure that no stagnant water is left unfiltered and available to allow adult mosquitoes to hatch. It should also enter this state in case of any problem that might prevent normal operation.

[0018] The automation of the system can be done in several ways using different components, using simple logic switches, a printed circuit board, or microprocessor, but it should always be possible to change components to allow for manual operation of all aspects. This will allow the apparatus to be manufactured cheaply to be used in the developing world, where a fully automatic (and therefore more expensive) system is financially unacceptable.

Summary of the Invention [0019] The foregoing needs are met by the details of the present invention, wherein a method and apparatus is provided that maintains an ideal breeding pool for mosquitoes and other insects, while as an intended side-benefit removes the aquatic young from the solution, thereby interrupting the insect life cycle, comprising of a minimum of; a primary container to store a solution, known as an ovitrap; an valve, manual or automatic, to release the solution; a filtration unit to receive the released solution and to filter it, being sufficient volume to accommodate the entire contents of the ovitrap; a secondary container to receive the filtered solution. To further automate the process, additional components are added, comprising but not limited to; a pump to return the filtered solution to the ovitrap; a float switch to activate the pump when the fluid level in the ovitrap is decreased; a tertiary tank to separately store supplementary water (either rain, well or tap); a float valve to provide water from the tertiary tank when the fluid level in the secondary container drops below a pre-determined level; a roof with trough to partially shade the primary container and hold solar panels, and to collect rain water into the tertiary container; a power supply, either AC or DC; a float valve in the secondary container to initiate a fail-safe mode; a control unit to ensure proper sequencing of the aforementioned parts.

[0020] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of interrupting insect life cycles, comprising of the steps of attracting mosquitoes to lay eggs; allowing some of the eggs to hatch and release a chemical cues; passing the solution with the aquatic young, and other contaminants through a filter such that contaminants are retained; reusing the filtered solution to maintain and concentrate the natural chemical cues.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus to collect mosquito eggs in solution; allow some of the eggs to hatch; to drain the solution through a filter periodically; return the filtered solution so that more mosquito eggs may be collected; having a tertiary source of water to keep water levels ideal.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention provides that the filter can withstand an aqueous medium, be able to retain the smallest biological contaminants in solution, of sufficient volume to contain the volume of the ovitrap, sufficient surface area to provide long duration functionality, and sufficient height to allow a percentage of the filter to remain pristine through early cycles of filtration such that there will be clean filter surface for later filtration cycles.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention provides a simple and modular design of both overall structure, functional elements and a minimum of parts requiring electricity such that the apparatus is easy to construct, inexpensive, expandable as desired, functional unattended for long durations, and easily maintained.

[0024] There has thus been outlined in broad form certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the state of the art may be better appreciated. There are other embodiments of the invention that will be described below, and will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0025] It must be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the specific details of construction and components as outlined in the following description and illustrations.
The invention can be embodied in many different ways, as can the method being practiced. It is also understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and are not intended to be limiting.

[0026] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concepts on which this disclosure is based may be utilized as a basis for the design and construction of other constructs, methods and systems for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalencies so long as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0027] The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings in which;

[0028] Figure 1 is a block/flow diagram describing the method of the invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the rectangular preferred embodiment;

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rectangular preferred embodiment;

[0031] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the cylindrical preferred embodiment;

[0032] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical preferred embodiment;

[0033] Figure 6 is a close up view of the filter section [0034] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the filter section, showing solution flow through the filter during cycle.

Detailed Description of the drawings [0035] Reference is first made to Figure 1 to describe the method used by the apparatus. It should be understood that the parts outlined in figure 1 may be interchanged with any other parts to accomplish the same task. As can be seen in Fig. 1, there is a primary container 20, known henceforth as the ovitrap, holds a liquid, protected by a roof 45. The liquid is infused with an attractant material, contained in a cartridge 43 separated from the main body of the liquid by a screen 44 to keep large organic particles from entering the liquid from the cartridge, but otherwise allowing water and the chemical attractants released to move freely.
Mosquitoes are attracted to the liquid and attractant to deposit their eggs in the ovitrap 20.

[0036] For the purposes hereof, any reference to "solution" shall be understood to be the combination of water, added attractants, and the natural chemical cues released by hatched eggs.
Furthermore, "contaminants" shall be understood to be any non-soluble materials that may be contained in the solution, such as foreign material such as leaves or sticks, biological material such as the by-products of fermentation or algae or other microbes, live and dead insects that are either adult or immature (i.e., eggs, larvae or pupae), and any other non-soluble materials that are brought into the solution over time.

[0037] A control system 33, which includes a timer, is programmed to initiate an operation cycle in a timely manner, giving some of the mosquito eggs in the ovitrap 20 sufficient time to hatch, and release their chemical cues into the solution. When the control circuit 33 indicates a start, it sends a signal to the main valve 22 to open. The main valve 22 opens for long enough to drain the ovitrap, either by a pre-determined time programmed in the control circuit 33 or an optional float switch in pipe 21 (not illustrated). It should be understood that the control system 33 can also have an external thermometer and/or light sensor to adjust the timing of the cycle depending on the ambient temperature, and day/night cycles.

[0038] It should be noted that for the purposes of this invention that pipes 21, 23, 25, 36, and 38 are not expressly required for this method to function, should it be practical or desirable to connect either the main valve 22 or float valve 37 in such a way that they are directly connected to the those parts that are upstream and downstream.

[0039] Once the solution and contaminants in the ovitrap 20 begin to flow from the opening of the main valve 22, float switch 30 opens the circuit to the pump 28 via connection 31. The pump turns on, and starts to move the solution in the secondary container, henceforth known as filtered solution tank 26, via pipe 27 into the top of the ovitrap via pipe 29, acting to rinse the ovitrap. The end of pipe 29 can be positioned to cause a vortex in the ovitrap to improve the cleaning of the ovitrap 20, and may have a nozzle to create a higher pressure spray if desirable. Pipe 21, 23 and main valve 22 must be of sufficient diameter to ensure that the ovitrap 20 drains faster than the pump 28 can fill it, and to ensure that objects do not bind in the pipe.

[0040] The solution and contaminants in ovitrap 20 drain through the open main valve 22 through pipe 23 into a filter 24. This filter must be a fme filter to ensure that all contaminants are retained in the filter, while the solution is allowed to drain through pipe 25 into the filtered solution container. The volume of the filter 24 must be larger than the ovitrap 20, and said volume must contain the solution and contaminants completely within the filter so that no contaminants may by-pass the filter. Optional screens 47 may be added to provide airflow around the filter 24 to properly dry, thereby killing any aquatic life retained.

[0041] It should be understood that he filter must be strong enough to resist puncture by sharp objects likely to be in the ovitrap, fine enough to retain all contaminants, and able to function repeatedly wet, have a plurality of surfaces to inhibit clogging, of sufficient volume to accommodate the entire volume of the ovitrap, high enough to be effective through multiple cycles, and can be either rigid or flexible.

[0042] There must be sufficient solution in the filtered solution container 26, which contains the solution, to fill the ovitrap 20 and retain a pre-determined minimum of water in the filtered solution container 26. Filtered solution container 26 should have limited access to the atmosphere outside the apparatus in order to limit evaporation, while still allowing some of the attractants and chemical cues to be released.

[0043] The tertiary container, henceforth known as the fresh water tank 35, is provided to top up the filtered solution container 26 through pipes 36 and 38 through float valve 37. Float valve 37 monitors the solution level in the filtered solution container 26 through a float 39. Rain water that falls on the roof 45 covering the ovitrap 20 can be collected through a pipe 46 into the fresh water container 35 to ensure proper long-term functionality of the apparatus.
In the case of excessive rain, an overflow outlet should be included. The fresh water container 35 should not allow contaminants from entering, using screens, check valves, or other means.

[0044] Float Switch 49 has a float 48 in the filtered solution container 26 that is activated when the solution level in the filtered solution container 26 drops below a minimum level, at which point it sends a signal through connection 50 to the control unit 33, which then opens main valve 22, and enters a hibernation state as a failsafe mode.

[0045] Power 34 can be either a battery, or a battery and/or inverter and plug to a secondary power source, either grid, solar or generator. Power is delivered to the control circuit 33, pump 28, main valve 22 through the control circuit, and float switch 30.

[0046] Figures 2 and 3 demonstrate a rectangular preferred embodiment, whereby the overall shape of the invention is rectangular; it is understood that this embodiment can be created using off-the-shelf plastic bins, wood and rubber, custom molded plastic, or other materials, and that the body 248 can be separate components or as a single molded part. The overall size of the system can be variable, however, it is preferred that the total volume contained in the ovitrap 220 is 5 litres or more.

[0047] Figures 4 and 5 demonstrate a cylindrical preferred embodiment, whereby the overall shape of the invention is cylindrical; it is understood that this embodiment can be created using off-the-shelf plastic bins, wood and rubber, custom molded plastic, or other materials, and that the body 248 can be separate components or as a single molded part. The overall size of the system can be variable, it is preferred that the total volume contained in the ovitrap 220 is 5 litres or more.

[0048] It is also understood that the filter 224 shown in figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 is intended to describe a general filter. This filter must be able to handle an aqueous medium, have a plurality of surfaces so that it is not easily clogged, restrict particles smaller than newly hatched insect larvae, be of sufficient internal volume to retain the entire contents of the ovitrap 220, and be high enough that it can operate effectively through multiple cycles and the buildup of contaminants.

[0049] The preferred embodiments shown in figures 2,3,4,and 5 represent two possible convenient apparatuses for use in all locations. The legs 250 (on the rectangular preferred embodiment), roof 245, solar panel 247, and fresh water container 235 can be detached and placed in the volumes of the ovitrap 220 or filtered solution tank 226 for easy stacking and transportation of the unit.

[0050] The preferred embodiments depicted in figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 are created in a modular fashion, where support components such as the filter 224, pump 228, battery 234 and control system 233 are placed on trays 257, 261 and 262 such that the components can easily accessed for maintenance, or completely changed to different components. Furthermore, mounting pins 263 are provided to add components to the unit, such as a weather station, GPS
tracking, cell/radio communications, etc.

[0051] Once the control unit 233 begins a cycle, the solution and contaminants 252, will pass through the main valve 222, and enter into the volume above the filter 265, and come to the filter itself 224, where the contaminants will be held, and the solution will pass into the filtered solution container 226, and become part of the filtered solution 251. As soon as the main valve 222 opens, the water level will drop below the minimum ovitrap 220 water level 258, and the float switch 230 will signal to the pump 228 to turn on, sending solution up pipe 229, to be released into the ovitrap 220 through a nozzle 259. Should the level of solution 251 in the filtered solution container 226 drop below a minimum level 260, a float valve 237 will open, releasing the water 253 from the fresh water container 235 to top up the filtered solution container 226. A screened opening 264 is provided to help keep the filter dry.

[0052] A roof 245 is provided with an optional solar panel 247 to charge the battery 234.
Rain water that falls on the roof 245 is collected in a trough 249, and drains into the fresh water container 235 via pipe 246. A small screen 254 is placed on the upstream side of pipe 246, in order to keep contaminants from accessing the fresh water container 235. In the case of excessive rainfall, a screened high water outlet 255 is provided to keep water from overflowing the top of the fresh water container 235.

[0053] Holes 256 are provided at ground level in order to be able to stabilize the unit, via spikes, bolts or otherwise, to prevent accidental tipping by humans or animals.

[0054] Figure 6 shows a close up view of the filter unit, whereby the filter 301 sits on a tray 306 with holes punched 310 through the circumference to allow water to pass, and a tray 307 to support the unit.

[0055] The solution and contaminants 304 leave the valve 222 (figures 3 and 5), and flow into the filter 301, whereby the level of the solution reaches a maximum point of 309 when the filter is clean. The solution passes through the filter 301, and drips down 308 to the filtered solution tank 226 (figures 2,3, and 5). After each cycle, the solution completely drains from the filter 301, and the contaminants 302 are retained in the filter, sitting on the sealed bottom 305, and dry, killing all the eggs, larvae, and pupae. At the next cycle, the new solution and contaminants 304 are released atop the old contaminants 302, and slowly build up the filter over time. After a pre-determined number of cycles, the filter must be changed or cleaned.

Claims (7)

1. A method for the provision and maintenance of an ideal and clean insect breeding pool by the filtration and recycling of a solution containing water, natural attractants and/or artificial attractants and/or synthetic attractants and/or natural chemical cues, with the method comprising;
a) a primary container known as an ovitrap to provide a volume of water or solution infused with attractant for insects to lay eggs;
b) sufficient time to allow eggs to release chemical cues into the water or solution;
c) emptying the water or solution from the ovitrap into a filter;
d) a filter, operating under gravity, suction or pressure to contain non-soluble contaminents f) a second container, to receive the filtered water or solution;
g) recycling the solution back into the ovitrap in a timely manner to maintain the chemical cues and attractants in solution;
h) a control system to send signals of operation in a timely manner i) sensors, such as float switches and valves, to monitor fluid levels j) a failsafe system to keep the solution contained in the event of problems so that no adult insects may leave the trap

2. The method, according to claim 1, where the water or solution in the ovitrap is filtered in a timely manner to remove contaminants, including, but not limited to, sticks and leaves, slime and other biological bi-products, live or dead insects, either adult or immature, while providing sufficient time for chemical cues to be released from the insect eggs.

3. The method, according to claim 1, where the water or solution containing attractant and natural chemical cues is maintained, concentrated, and recycled.

4. A mosquito trap, comprising of but not limited to:
a) a primary container to act as an ovitrap, filled with water or a solution containing a natural, artificial or synthetic attractant b) an attractant cartridge in the ovitrap that allows permeation of water and solution, while stopping contained particulate from exiting the cartridge, located inside the primary container below the normal water level c) an attractant material contained in the cartridge, such that the chemicals in said material can become mixed in the water d) an actuated valve or pump or other means to convey the water or solution from the ovitrap into a filter, e) a filter that can withstand an aqueous medium, be able to retain the smallest biological contaminants in solution, including, but not limited to, sticks and leaves, slime and other biological bi-products, live or dead insects, either adult or immature, of sufficient volume to contain the volume of the ovitrap, sufficient surface area to provide long duration functionality, and sufficient height to allow a percentage of the filter to remain pristine through early cycles of filtration such that there will be clean filter surface for later filtration cycles.
f) a secondary container to catch the filtered water or solution and store it, g) a pump or other means to return the water or solution into the ovitrap from the secondary container as needed, h) a float switch or other means in the ovitrap to actuate the pump, i) a tertiary container to store extra water to be delivered as needed to the secondary container via a float valve to ensure chemical cues and attractants are kept solute, j) a float valve to detect water levels in the secondary container, and to allow water in the tertiary container to be released when water levels are low k)a control system with a timer to open the valve and do other operations at pre-set times, either as simple circuit logic or via a microprocessor, l) a power source, either battery, solar, generator, or grid to power the system, m) a failsafe system to ensure that the apparatus will not allow adult insects from hatching by entering a hibernation mode whereby the ovitrap is emptied, and kept dry.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, whereby the filter can be easily replaced and/or cleaned.

6. The apparatus, according to claim 4, whereby the components described are of a modular design of both overall structure, functional elements and a minimum of parts requiring electricity such that the apparatus is easy to construct, inexpensive, expandable as desired, functional unattended for long durations, and easily maintained.

7. The apparatus, according to claim 4, whereby additional functionality can be included in the unit, including, but not limited to GPS functionality, wireless by radio or cell phone to report data to a base station or personal computer, internet connectivity, a weather station, temperature and daylight sensors, status indicator, or other sensors and devices.