Device and method for attracting and trapping flying insects

Abstract

A trap for immobilizing, killing, or containing arthropods comprises a housing having walls and at least one opening, where the walls define an interior space; and a light source comprising a directional light source mounted in the interior space. The light source is constructed to emit light at one or more wavelengths ranging from 350 to 500 nm. The light source is positioned so that a majority of the light emitted from the light source is directed at one or more surfaces in the interior space. The trap also comprises a suppression element mounted in the interior space and constructed to immobilize, kill, or contain arthropods.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trap comprising:
 (a) a housing comprising walls and at least one opening, the walls defining an interior space;   (b) a light source comprising a directional light source mounted in the interior space, wherein the light source comprises a LED light, and wherein the light source is positioned so that a majority of light emitted from the light source is directed at one or more surfaces in the interior space;   (c) a suppression element mounted in the interior space and constructed to immobilize, kill, or contain arthropods.   
     
     
         2 . A trap comprising:
 (a) a housing comprising walls and at least one opening, the walls defining an interior space;   (b) a light source comprising a directional light source mounted in the interior space, wherein the light source is constructed to emit light at one or more wavelengths ranging from 350 to 500 nm, and wherein the light source is positioned so that a majority of the light emitted from the light source is directed at one or more surfaces in the interior space;   (c) a suppression element mounted in the interior space and constructed to immobilize, kill, or contain arthropods.   
     
     
         3 . A trap comprising:
 (a) a frame mountable onto a surface;   (b) a light source comprising a directional light source mounted onto the frame, wherein the light source is constructed to emit light at one or more wavelengths selected from UV light, purple light, blue light, green light, and combinations thereof, and wherein the light source is positioned so that a majority of the light emitted from the light source is directed at the surface;   (c) a power source adapted to deliver electrical power to the light source; and   (d) a suppression element mounted onto the frame and capable of immobilizing, killing, or containing arthropods.   
     
     
         4 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the suppression element is a glueboard. 
     
     
         5 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the suppression element is an electric suppression element. 
     
     
         6 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the directional light source comprises one or more LEDs. 
     
     
         7 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the directional light source emits UV light. 
     
     
         8 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises battery power. 
     
     
         9 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a connection to grid power. 
     
     
         10 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the directional light source is positioned so that less than 25% of the light emitted by the directional light source escapes the interior space without reflecting from an interior surface of the insect trap. 
     
     
         11 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the arthropods comprise flies and wherein the wavelength is selected to attract the flies. 
     
     
         12 . The trap of  claim 2 , wherein the frame further comprises a housing comprising walls and at least one opening, the walls defining an interior space, and wherein the light source and the suppression element are mounted in the interior space. 
     
     
         13 . The trap of  claim 2 , wherein the light source is constructed to emit light at a wavelength ranging from 380 to 420 nm. 
     
     
         14 . The trap of  claim 2 , wherein the light source is constructed to emit light at a wavelength ranging from 385 to 410 nm. 
     
     
         15 . The trap of  claim 2 , wherein the trap comprises at least one light source constructed to emit light at a wavelength of about 405 nm. 
     
     
         16 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a front cover. 
     
     
         17 . The trap of  claim 16 , wherein the housing comprises a back wall, and wherein the front cover is pivotably connected to the back wall. 
     
     
         18 . The trap of  claim 17 , wherein the front cover is connected to the back wall by a hinge, and wherein the front cover has an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The trap of  claim 16 , wherein the front cover is removable. 
     
     
         20 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a back wall and a front cover coupled with the back wall, and wherein the back wall and the front cover define one or more openings. 
     
     
         21 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a top opening, one or more side openings, a bottom opening, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a frame in the interior space, and wherein the light source is mounted onto the frame. 
     
     
         23 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the LED light has a wavelength selected to attract house flies. 
     
     
         24 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the LED light has a wavelength selected to attract fruit flies. 
     
     
         25 . The trap of  claim 1 , wherein the LED light has a wavelength selected to attract moths.