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Carbon dioxide generator insect attractant
This disclosure involves a method of chemically generating carbon dioxide for use as an insect attractant used in combination with an insect trap, and a generating unit adoptable for use with existing insect traps. Carbon dioxide is generated by reacting a carbonate salt with an aqueous acid solution, the carbon dioxide is directed into a trap for attracting insects. A generating unit is described which can be pre-assembled and activated at the site of the trap.
US4506473
Citation: Waters Jr, J. (1985). U.S. Patent No. 4,506,473. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
(web: https://www.google.com/patents/US4506473)
Self note: This method is simple to assemble and can be done using recycled products such as empty plastic bottle, straw, net/ mesh such that everybody can build them. But for FYP product, maybe I can make a product on it’s own and not from DIY?
The drawback is that the reaction is not automatic.
there should be a way to make it automatic using the electricity already set up for the light.
carbon dioxide produced in a table lamp set up may also prevent fire (although the probability of fire occurring on modern light bulb is very low)
2. House fly, horn fly, and mosquito repellents and apparatus useful in testing efficacy of same
An apparatus for trapping insects having a radiation means and a semiochemical attractant means such that insects enter an air stream and are carried into a housing to trap them. The device further contains radiation pulsing means and a power supply to power a motor which drives a propeller to induce a flow of air into the trap.
Citation: Butler, J. F., Marin, A. B., Warren, C. B., Wilson, R. A., & Mookherjee, B. D. (1995). U.S. Patent No. 5,417,009. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
(web: https://www.google.com/patents/US5417009)
Self note: this method is using nylon mesh ; propeller to create air flow of co2. but the set up is very complicated.
3. Effervescent composition for improved carbon dioxide generation in insect monitor devices
The present invention relates to a chemical composition and method of generating carbon dioxide for use with an insect monitor and/or capture device comprising: i) an effervescent agent; ii) a solid acid; iii) a deliquescent agent; and optionally iv) an anti-clumping agent.
Citation: Black, B. C., Sheth, S., & Varanyak, L. (2013). U.S. Patent No. 8,475,759. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
(web: https://www.google.com/patents/US8475759)
“[0013] Research has shown that carbon dioxide alone is an effective attractant to lure bed bugs to monitors and traps. Carbon dioxide can also be used with additional chemical attractants, to further enhance the effectiveness of the lures. There are a few carbon dioxide producing monitors commercially available which use pressurized carbon dioxide canisters, dry ice or yeast fermentation to generate carbon dioxide. The technology involved in delivering compressed carbon dioxide safely into a monitor is expensive. While dry ice is relatively inexpensive, it can be dangerous to handle, not convenient to purchase and only lasts for a few hours. Although generation of carbon dioxide by yeast fermentation is economical and safe, the preparation procedure requires mixing carefully measured amounts of yeast, media and water at a temperature of 20°C to 30°C in a separate carbon dioxide generation container which, if spilled, would be unpleasant to clean up. [0014] It is well known in the art that certain acid base chemical reactions can generate carbon dioxide. For example, the reaction of citric acid with sodium bicarbonate in an aqueous medium produces carbon dioxide, however this reaction is relatively quick and the carbon dioxide is generated within minutes. Commercial products such as Alka-Seltzer® and Bromo-Seltzer® are examples of the fast reaction of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate when placed into water. In order to be useful in attracting insects to a monitor or capture device, carbon dioxide should be generated slowly for prolonged periods of time.
[0015] The present invention overcomes the above-identified problems by providing a long lasting carbon dioxide generating chemical composition using
environmentally safe, nontoxic ingredients, without the addition of water, to economically produce a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide for a prolonged period of time in order to aid in attracting bed bugs to bed bug monitors and/or capture devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention relates to a chemical composition and method of carbon dioxide generation for use with an insect monitor and/or capture device comprising:
i) an effervescent agent,
ii) a solid acid;
iii) a deliquescent agent, and optionally
iv) an anti-clumping agent.”
Self note: good reference on the research for producing co2 in continuous and constant manner.
