Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Traps – Insect
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-07
2001-04-17
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Traps
Insect
C043S107000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216383
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the controlling of common garden type crawling insects and, more particularly, to trapping and disposing of such insect pests. Specifically, an apparatus for trapping and collecting common earwigs is disclosed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Insects and general pest control problems are a nuisance for home and building owners. Costly property damage, unsightliness, and health problems can occur from uncontrolled infestations of insects. In North America, earwigs pose a particular problem due to their abundance, their nocturnal behavior, and their lack of natural predators. Although many chemical pesticides are available, the expense, as well as the personal and environmental dangers of using such means to control insect populations in and around residential areas is usually a concern for many individuals.
Several nonchemical methods of trapping or controlling insects, adaptable to earwigs, are known in the related art. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,450, issued in the name of Muramatsu, an insect trap is disclosed comprising a multifaceted, hollow chamber and a tubular inlet. A trap of this design as disclosed, however, is limited in size, application, and reusability.
Another example is particularly adapted for use with earwigs. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,866, issued in the name of Rosie, an earwig collector is disclosed which traps earwigs within a plurality of relatively dark and narrow passageways. Thriving on areas of high moisture content, earwigs seek areas such as moist cracks and crevices under boards, stones, plant debris and in shallow cavities in the ground. Although the Rosie disclosure also takes some advantage of the behaviors of these insects, as disclosed in Rosie the earwigs are collected while alive, and thereby need to be handled and ultimately disposed of as such.
Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method particularly adapted to trapping and killing earwigs in an inexpensive, chemical free, and reusable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved earwig trap that captures and kills earwigs.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved earwig trap which can be reused, and requires no toxic chemical additives.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved earwig trap which has interchangeable components, permitting the trap to be used both indoors and outdoors.
The earwig trap of the present invention includes a lid having a plurality of access ports formed there-through. A generally truncated-cone-shaped access ramp extends from an outer periphery of the lid to the access ports. A receptacle is configured to retain the lid thereon. A liquid is contained within the receptacle. The liquid acts as a lure, and also drowns the insects once they are inside the receptacle.
For use indoors, a generally truncated-cone-shaped base is configured to receive the receptacle therein. The base rests on a floor. For use outdoors, a containing sleeve replaces the base. The containing sleeve is buried and receives the receptacle therein.
An advantage of the present invention is that it is inexpensive, as well as easy to operate.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it is reusable, requiring minimal maintenance.
Further, a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used to trap and kill most types of crawling insects.
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Klabunde Trent L.
Saynor Cynthia R.
Ark Darren W.
Brockman Ronald P.
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