Insect bait

Abstract

A device for controlling blood-feeding insects is disclosed. The device includes a membrane containing a solution suitable for consumption by blood-feeding insects wherein the solution is comprised of a base, the base selected from the group consisting of up to 70 wt % NaCl in water, phosphate buffer, citric acid in water, and sodium lauryl sulfate in water, and wherein the solution has a pH of between about 6 and 8. An additional active ingredient may be added to the solution. The solution may be referred to as liquid bait. The membrane is suitable for blood-feeding insects to pierce or puncture in order to feed. A method of exterminating or controlling blood feeding insects is also disclosed along with novel bait solutions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A bait for exterminating bed bugs comprising a solution including a lethal base, the lethal base consisting of between about 6 wt % and about 12 wt % NaCl in water, and optionally further consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate and/or citric acid, wherein the solution has a pH of between about 6 and 8. 
     
     
         2 . The bait of  claim 1  wherein the lethal base further consists of boric acid, citric acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, indoxacarb, chlorphenapyr, deltamethrin, lamda cyhalothrin, or fipronil or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The bait of  claim 1  wherein the solution further comprises an active ingredient. 
     
     
         4 . The bait of  claim 1  wherein the bait is housed in a membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The bait of  claim 4  wherein the membrane is less than 5.0 mils thick. 
     
     
         6 . The bait of  claim 4  wherein the membrane is comprised of wax-blended polyolefin film, natural collagen film, or artificial collagen film. 
     
     
         7 . The bait of  claim 4  wherein the membrane is comprised of wax-blended polyolefin film. 
     
     
         8 . The bait of  claim 1  wherein the solution further comprises a dye. 
     
     
         9 . The bait of  claim 4  wherein the membrane is textured. 
     
     
         10 . The bait of  claim 4  further comprising a dusting of fluorescent dye on the membrane. 11. 
     
     
         11 . A bait for exterminating blood-feeding insects, comprising:
 a solution suitable for consumption by blood-feeding insects wherein the solution comprises a lethal base,   the lethal base comprising from between about 6 wt % and 12 wt % NaCl in water, wherein the solution has a pH of between about 6 and 8, and further wherein the insects are exterminated by consuming the base.   
     
     
         12 . The bait of  claim 11  wherein the solution further comprises sodium lauryl sulfate or citric acid or both. 
     
     
         13 . The bait of  claim 11  wherein the solution further comprises an active ingredient. 
     
     
         14 . The bait of  claim 11  wherein the active ingredient is comprised of boric acid, citric acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, indoxacarb, chlorphenapyr, deltamethrin, lamda cyhalothrin, or fipronil or any combination thereof.