Pest control apparatus and system having an electromagnetic attracting or repelling device and housing therefor

Abstract

A pest control system for influencing the movement of insects includes a transmitting device configured to emit an electromagnetic field at a frequency that electromagnetically affects insects. The transmitting device includes an antenna and a housing sealingly enclosing the antenna therein. The system also includes a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the transmitting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pest control system for influencing the movement of insects, the pest control system comprising:
 a transmitting device configured to emit an electromagnetic field at a frequency that electromagnetically affects insects, the transmitting device including an antenna and a housing sealingly enclosing the antenna therein; and   a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the transmitting device.   
     
     
         2 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising wiring for electrically coupling the transmitting device and the transmitter. 
     
     
         3 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising at least one lead extending through the housing for operatively connecting the antenna to the wiring. 
     
     
         4 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising an attracting station, wherein the transmitting device is disposed within an interior space of the attracting station and is adapted to emit an electromagnetic field having a frequency less than about 4000 Hz to electromagnetically attract insects to the attracting station. 
     
     
         5 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a repelling station, wherein the transmitting device is disposed within an interior space of the repelling station and is adapted to emit an electromagnetic field having a frequency between about 4000 Hz and 6000 Hz to electromagnetically repel insects away from the repelling station. 
     
     
         6 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising at least one attracting station and at least one repelling station. 
     
     
         7 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 6  further comprising a plurality of the transmitting devices, wherein each attracting station and each repelling station includes an interior chamber, at least one of the transmitting devices being disposed within each interior chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit signals to each of the transmitting devices. 
     
     
         9 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of the transmitters, wherein each transmitter is configured to transmit signals to at least one of the transmitting devices. 
     
     
         10 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the housing has a body defining an interior space for removable placement of the antenna and a closure hermetically sealing the interior space, the closure being positionable between a closed position in which the closure hermetically seals the interior space and an open position in which the antenna can be accessed. 
     
     
         11 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a pest control station having an internal chamber and a holder disposed in the internal chamber, wherein the transmitting device is positioned in the holder and is unsecured to the holder. 
     
     
         12 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the housing sealing encloses only the antenna therein, thereby substantially isolating the antenna from the ambient environment. 
     
     
         13 . A pest control system for influencing the movement of insects, the pest control system comprising:
 a pest control apparatus including a transmitting device adapted to emit an electromagnetic field at a selected frequency and to define a region of influence in which the electromagnetic field is emitted, the transmitting device including an antenna and a housing sealingly enclosing the antenna, the housing being made from a material that reduces the region of influence by less than 50%, wherein the electromagnetic field is configured to affect insects within the region of influence; and   a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the transmitting device.   
     
     
         14 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the housing is made from a material that reduces the region of influence by less than 25%. 
     
     
         15 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the housing material is selected from a group consisting of polyethylene, propylene, isoprene, and polyolefins. 
     
     
         16 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the pest control apparatus is a repelling station and the transmitting device is adapted to emit an electromagnetic field having a frequency less than about 4000 Hz to electromagnetically attract insects to the attracting station. 
     
     
         17 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the pest control apparatus is an attracting station and the transmitting device is adapted to emit an electromagnetic field having a frequency between about 4000 Hz and 6000 Hz to electromagnetically repel insects away from the repelling station. 
     
     
         18 . A pest control system for influencing the movement of insects adjacent a structure, the pest control system comprising:
 a repelling station positioned adjacent the structure, the repelling station including a first transmitting device configured to emit an electromagnetic field having a frequency between about 4000 Hz and 6000 Hz to electromagnetically repel insects away from the repelling station, the first transmitting device including a first antenna and a first housing sealingly enclosing the first antenna therein; and   an attracting station spaced from the structure, the attracting station including a second transmitting device adapted to emit an electromagnetic field having a frequency less than about 4000 Hz to electromagnetically attract insects to the attracting station, the second transmitting device including a second antenna and a second housing sealingly enclosing the second antenna therein.   
     
     
         19 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 18  further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit signals to the first transmitting device and the second transmitting device. 
     
     
         20 . The pest control system as set forth in  claim 19  further comprising wiring for electrically coupling the transmitter to the first transmitting device and the second transmitting device.