Arthropod trap and extermination method

Abstract

The present disclosure describes an apparatus, system, and method for trapping and exterminating arthropods, particularly red mites. The apparatus includes an opaque housing and a heat strip configured to have separate temperature zones. The method includes warming the heat strip to lure the mites into the trap, heating outer heat strip segments to drive the mites toward the center of the trap, and then raising the entire heat strip to a temperature sufficient to exterminate the mites. The system includes placing one or more of the traps in animal hold structures, including nesting boxes in poultry houses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for attracting and exterminating arthropods, the apparatus comprising:
 a heat strip, comprising:
 at least one inner segment or zone that is energizable to a first temperature; 
 at least two outer segments or zones, wherein at least one of the at least two outer segments or zones is energizable to a second temperature, wherein the at least one inner segment or zone is disposed between the at least two outer segments or zones, and wherein the at least one inner segment or zone and/or the at least two outer segments or zones is energizable to a third temperature; 
   a controller in electrical communication with each of the segments or zones of the heat strip, wherein the controller is configured to regulate power to the heat strip so as to selectively energize each of the segments or zones of the heat strip;   a housing defining an interior volume to enclose the heat strip, wherein the housing includes a first opening; and   wherein the first temperature is sufficient to attract at least one of the arthropods into the housing, the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and the third temperature is greater than the second temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a first removable cap configured to close the first opening, the first removable cap comprising at least one opening. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the housing and the first removable cap are both opaque to visible light. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one opening of the first removable cap comprises:
 a first opening; and   a second opening;   wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening, and the second opening is dimensioned to allow a power cord to pass through.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 a second opening, and   a second removable cap configured to close the second opening, the second removable cap being opaque to visible light and comprising at least one opening.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is tubular in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply in electrical communication with the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arthropods are red mites. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first temperature is about the brooding and egg laying temperature of a target animal. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the third temperature is sufficient to exterminate at least one of the arthropods within the housing with a lethal dose of high temperature. 
     
     
         12 . A system for attracting and exterminating arthropods, the system comprising:
 an animal housing comprising a plurality of nesting units; and   a plurality of apparatuses for attracting and exterminating arthropods, each of the plurality of apparatuses comprising:
 a heat strip, comprising: 
 at least one inner segment that is energizable to a first temperature; 
 at least two outer segments, wherein at least one of the at least two outer segments is energizable to a second temperature, wherein the at least one inner segment is disposed between the at least two outer segments, and wherein the at least one inner segment and/or the at least two outer segments is energizable to a third temperature; 
 a controller in electrical communication with the each of the segments of the heat strip, wherein the controller is configured to regulate power to the heat strip so as to selectively energize each of the segments of the heat strip; and 
 a housing defining an interior volume to enclose the heat strip, wherein the housing includes a first opening. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the housing further comprises a first removable cap configured to close the first opening, the first removable cap comprising at least one opening. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the housing and the first removable cap are both opaque to visible light. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 a second opening, and   a second removable cap configured to close the second opening, the second removable cap being opaque to visible light and comprising at least one opening.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , where the at least one opening of the first removable cap comprises:
 a first opening; and   a second opening;   wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening, and the second opening is dimensioned to allow a power cord to pass through.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the housing is tubular in shape. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a power supply in electrical communication with the controller. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first temperature is about the brooding and egg laying temperature of a target animal and wherein the third temperature is sufficient to exterminate at least one of the arthropods within the housing with a lethal dose of high temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of apparatuses is wired in series, parallel, or a combination thereof.