WO2009116017A1

WO2009116017A1 - Insect trap and method of operating an insect trap

Info

Publication number: WO2009116017A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/051185
Authority: WO
Inventors: Schalk Francois Mouton
Original assignee: Schalk Francois Mouton
Priority date: 2008-03-20
Filing date: 2009-03-20
Publication date: 2009-09-24

Abstract

An insect trap (10) and a method of operating the trap (10) are provided. The trap (10) includes a battery (20), which provides power to a light source (22) with a control circuit (24) that controls the power provided to the light source (22). In addition, the trap (10) includes a chemical attractant (26). The trap (10) is operated by switching the light source (22) on for a period starting approximately at dusk and attracting insects with the emitted light and the chemical attractant (26).

Description

INSECT TRAP AND METHOD OF OPERATING AN INSECT TRAP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the control of pests such as insects. In particular, the invention relates to an insect trap and to a method of operating an insect trap.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A number of insect traps are known which typically have means for attracting insects and means for trapping them, which could also include means for killing them.

One method that is used in insect traps to attract insects is light radiation, but this requires the light sources to be electrically powered, which could prove problematic in remote locations where no mains power is conveniently available. The difficulties in providing power for such a light source are aggravated if the light source needs to run continuously.

The present invention seeks to provide an insect trap that can be operated without an external supply of electricity and that is highly effective in attracting insects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an insect trap comprising: an electrical accumulator such as a battery pack; a light source that is configured to be powered by the accumulator; a control circuit for controlling the supply of power from the accumulator to the light source; and means for containing a chemical attractant.

The control circuit may be configured to switch the light source on approximately at dusk and may be configured to allow the light source to be powered for a limited period after dusk. The control circuit may also be configured to prevent the light source from being powered after a predetermined period or a predetermined number of operational cycles of the light source and the control circuit may be configured to be re-set to allow the light source to be powered for another period or number of cycles.

The light source and/or the control circuit may be configured to allow the light from the light source to flash.

The insect trap may include a solar cell that is configured to charge the accumulator and the control circuit may be configured to switch of the light source if the electrical power in the accumulator reaches a predetermined minimum or the light source will switch off when the electrical power in the accumulator is depleted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating an insect trap, said method comprising: switching on a light source approximately at dusk, the light source being powered by an electrical accumulator; trapping the insects; wherein the method also includes the step of attracting insects by way of a chemical attractant.

The method may include switching on the light source for a limited and/or predetermined period after dusk.

The method may include discontinuing the supply of electrical power to the light source after a predetermined time period and/or after a predetermined number of operational cycles of the light source and it may include optionally resetting a control circuit of the insect trap to allow the light source to be powered for another period or number of cycles

The may include causing the light emitted by the light source to flash intermittently. The method may include using ambient radiation to charge the electrical accumulator and may include discontinuing the supply of electrical power to the light source when the electrical power available from the electrical accumulator is depleted or has reached a predetermined minimum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic sectional side view of an insect trap in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Referring to the drawing, an insect trap in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The insect trap 10 includes a weather-tight (splash proof) housing 12, preferably yellow in colour, with means such as a loop 14 that allows it to be attached to an adjacent support, e.g. by hanging it from an adjacent object.

In some embodiments, a small solar cell or panel 18 is provided on a part of the housing that is exposed to ambient light radiation by day during normal use, e.g. the solar panel 18 can face upwardly or outwardly from the housing

12 so that it is exposed to direct solar radiation by day.

Inside the housing 12, the trap 10 includes an electrical accumulator in the form of a pack of batteries 20 or the like. In the event that the trap 10 is fitted with a solar panel 18, the accumulator 20 is connected to the solar panel 18 to be recharged by the solar panel. A light source is also provided in the housing in the form of one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) 22, which could be blue or ultra violet (UV) LEDs, but should preferably be yellow. The LEDs 22 are connected to the battery pack 20 to be powered by the battery pack, but the supply of power from the battery pack to the LEDs is controlled by a control circuit 24. The housing 12 includes means, such as an absorbent pad 28 on the underside of the housing, for containing a chemical attractant 26. Preferably, the chemical attractant is combined with a poison for killing insects that come into contact with the attractant 26.

In other embodiments, the housing 12 can include a trapping mechanism for trapping insects that are attracted to the LEDs and the chemical attractant and/or the housing can include a container for the trapped insects.

In use, the control circuit 24 is triggered at dusk, e.g. by a light sensitive

(day/night) switch 32, to allow electrical power to be supplied from the battery pack 20 to the LEDs 22 and the supply of power to the LEDs is maintained for a predetermined period after dusk, when it is stopped. The control circuit 24 or the LED's 22 are configured to cause the LEDs to flash, to enhance their attraction to insects.

In embodiments with a solar panel 18, the panel is exposed to incoming ambient light by day and charges the battery pack 20. A reduction in current from the solar panel 18 can be used instead of the day/night switch 32 to trigger switching on of the LEDs 22. In such embodiments, the power supplied to the LEDs 22 can discontinue when the power supplied from the battery pack 20 drops to a predetermined level or is depleted. The trap 10 is configured to ensure that electrical power is available to the LEDs 22 for at least three hours after dusk, taking the capacities of the solar panel 18 and the battery pack 20 into account, as well as the extent of radiation that the solar panel can be expected to receive.

This operational cycle of powering the LEDs 22 after dusk and optionally charging the battery pack 20 by day from the solar panel 18, repeats itself and while this occurs, insects are continuously attracted to the chemical attractant 26 and are attracted to the flashing LEDs 22 when they are powered. A wide variety of insects are attracted and come into contact with the chemical attractant 26 in the absorbent pad 28, where they are killed by the poison in the attractant. The control circuit 24 is configured to allow the operational cycles of the trap 10 to continue for a predetermined period or number of cycles, of up to one year, but possibly, instead, for a shorter period, such as one season during which the control of insects is required. When the trap 10 has completed the number of operational cycles and/or the time period has elapsed, the control circuit 24 prevents the solar panel 18 from charging the battery pack 20 and/or prevents the battery pack 20 from powering the LEDs 22 (depending on whether or not a solar panel (18) is used and whether the particular type of battery used should rather remain fully charged or discharged).

When it is desired that the trap 10 should operate for another period such as another year or season, the control circuit 24 can be reset by sending a radio (RF) or infra red (IR) signal from a remote transmitter 34 and the operational cycles of the trap 10 as described hereinabove, are repeated.

The electrical power required by the LEDs 22 is limited by the configuration of the control circuit 24 to allow the trap 10 to operate effectively with a relatively small battery 20 and a relatively small solar panel 18 (if provided). Further, the configuration that limits the use of the LEDs 22 to the hours following dusk and to only one season or year, until it is reset, prolongs the useful life of the electrical components of the trap 10.

The invention described holds a number of other advantages, including the fact that the trap 10 is entirely self-contained and can operate in locations where there is no supply of electrical power. Further, the trap is highly effective in attracting a wide variety of insects, by way of the strong chemical attraction of the chemical attractant 26 and the strong attraction of the flashing LEDs 22.

Claims

1. An insect trap (10) comprising: an electrical accumulator (20); a light source (22) that is configured to be powered by the accumulator; and a control circuit (24) for controlling the supply of power from the accumulator to the light source; characterized in that said insect trap includes means (28) for containing a chemical attractant (26).

2. An insect trap (10) as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said control circuit (24) is configured to switch the light source (22) on approximately at dusk.

3. An insect trap (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said control circuit (24) is configured to allow the light source (22) to be powered for a limited period after dusk.

4. An insect trap (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control circuit (24) is configured to prevent the light source (22) from being powered after a predetermined period.

5. An insect trap (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said control circuit (24) is configured to prevent the light source (22) from being powered after a predetermined number of operational cycles of the light source.

6. An insect trap (10) as claimed in claim 4 or clam 5, characterized in that said control circuit (24) is configured to be re-set to allow the light source (22) to be powered for another period or number of cycles.

7. An insect trap (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said light source (22) is configured to allow the light from the light source to flash.

8. An insect trap (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said control circuit (24) is configured to allow the light from the light source (22) to flash.

9. An insect trap (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insect trap includes a solar cell that is configured to charge the accumulator.

10. A method of operating an insect trap (10), said method comprising switching on a light source (22) approximately at dusk, the light source being powered by an electrical accumulator; attracting insects; characterized in that the step of attracting insects includes attracting insects by way of a chemical attractant (26), in addition to the light source.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterized by switching on the light source (22) for a predetermined period after dusk.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 , characterized by discontinuing the supply of electrical power to the light source (22) after a predetermined time period.

13. A method as claimed in claims 10 or claim 12, characterized by discontinuing the supply of electrical power to the light source (22) after a predetermined number of operational cycles of the light source.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, characterized by resetting a control circuit (24) of the insect trap (10) to allow the light source (22) to be powered for another period or number of operational cycles.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by causing the light emitted by the light source (22) to flash intermittently.

16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by using ambient radiation to charge the electrical accumulator (20).

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, characterized by discontinuing the supply of electrical power to the light source (22) when the electrical power available from the electrical accumulator (20) is depleted.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16, characterized by discontinuing the supply of electrical power to the light source (22) when the electrical power available from the electrical accumulator (20) has reached a predetermined minimum.