AU2007203305B2 - Pest Control - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract An apparatus (10) for pest control comprising a body (11) having a reservoir (15) for containing a liquid (17). The apparatus (10) having means for causing light to emanate from liquid (17) contained within the reservoir (15) thereby attracting 5 insects to the liquid (17). 3-7 ((7

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicants: Jason Murray Watkins and Nazzareno Italiano Actual Inventors Jason Murray Watkins and Nazzareno Italiano Address for service is: WRAY & ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Pest Control The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 2 Pest Control Apparatus Field of the Invention This invention relates to pest control. More particularly, the invention is concerned with apparatus for attracting and trapping crawling insects. 5 The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, for attracting and capturing millipedes and more particularly Portuguese millipedes. Background Art While millipedes can perform a useful role in breaking down organic matter, they can become pests when they reach high population levels. This is particularly the case 10 for Portuguese millipedes. Portuguese millipedes can invade homes and gardens in significant numbers at certain times of the year and so become a significant domestic nuisance. As they are attracted to light they tend to move towards and invade homes. As there are no significant predators to control the population of millipedes, there is a need for other l5 strategies for the reduction of the numbers of millipedes. Various strategies have been employed in the past for dealing with invasions of Portuguese millipedes, including chemical control and physical barriers. Chemical control involves pesticides, but as they have a limited active life they must be reapplied for ongoing control, particularly during periods of rain. Furthermore, there 20 are inherent concerns about safety in relation to the use of chemicals for pest control. Physical barriers can be effective in preventing ingress of millipedes into buildings but do not necessarily reduce the population in the vicinity of the building. This still requires cleaning the area each morning to remove the millipedes from the previous night. 25 The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the 3 discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. There is a need for a physical apparatus which can attract and trap millipedes. 5 Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for pest control comprising a body having a reservoir for containing a liquid, and means for causing light to emanate from liquid contained within the reservoir thereby attracting insects to the liquid. 10 Typically, the liquid comprises water, whereby insects which are caused to be attracted to the water fall therein and drown. If desired, the liquid can also incorporate a pesticide for killing insects attracted thereto. Preferably, the apparatus is designed to attract crawling insects such as millipedes. 15 In this case, the body defining the reservoir preferably incorporates a surface adjacent the periphery of the reservoir over which the insects can crawl to gain access to the liquid contained within the reservoir. Preferably, said surface comprises a ramp. Preferably, the ramp is configured to facilitate crawling of insects therealong for 20 access to liquid contained within the reservoir. In this regard, all or a substantial portion of the surface of the ramp may be textured or provided with formations such as ribs to provide a surface the crawling insects can obtain traction. Preferably, the ramp terminates at a steep surface adjacent the periphery of the reservoir whereby insects having reached the top of the ramp fall into the liquid 25 contained within the reservoir. Preferably insects cannot crawl along the steep surface, and therefore cannot escape.

4 Preferably, prior to the steep surface the ramp has a smooth portion so as to provide a smooth band around the periphery of the reservoir. The smooth band may be flat. As this smooth portion is difficult to grip, once the millipede extends over the edge of the ramp it is difficult for the millipede to retrace its path back onto the textured 5 portion of the ramp, causing it to fall into the reservoir. The steep surface may be a smooth wall such that once the insect falls into the reservoir the insect can not climb up the steep surface in a bid to escape. Preferably, light emanating from the body of liquid may comprise light reflected from the surface of liquid contained within the reservoir. In this regard, a light source may 10 be positioned above the body of liquid the light source may include a reflector means for reflecting light downwardly to the surface of the liquid. Preferably the light source is white light. The light source may be supported on a post extending upwardly from the body of water. 15 The light source may comprise illumination means of any appropriate form for generating light. The illumination means may comprise an electric globe. The electric globe may be powered by a low-voltage power supply, such as a 12V supply. Alternatively, the electric globe may be battery operated, with the battery being rechargeable by way of solar power. With this arrangement, the apparatus could be 20 a self-contained unit. The reservoir may contain a mirror therein to reflect light through the liquid to assist in attracting the insects into the reservoir. In another arrangement, the light source may be accommodated within the reservoir so as to be immersed in the liquid contained therein. Alternatively, the light source 25 may be positioned below the reservoir such that light is transmitted upwardly through the body of liquid.

5 The light source may cause an illuminated ring around the periphery of the reservoir, the illuminated ring having greater intensity than the light emanating from a central region of the reservoir. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for pest 5 control comprising a body having a reservoir for containing a liquid, and means for causing light to emanate from liquid contained within the reservoir thereby attracting insects to the liquid, the means comprises a light source positioned above the reservoir, wherein the body defining the reservoir incorporates a ramped surface adjacent the periphery of the reservoir over which the insects can crawl to gain 10 access to the liquid contained within the reservoir. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 15 Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view of a pest control apparatus according to a first embodiment; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the pest control apparatus. Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention The embodiment shown in the Figure 1 is directed to an apparatus 10 for attracting 20 and capturing Portuguese millipedes. The apparatus 10 is adapted to contain water to which the millipedes are attracted and into which they fall and drown. The apparatus comprises a body 11 having a base 12 with an underside 13 adapted to rest on the ground (not shown). The base 12 incorporates a reservoir 15 adapted to contain a body of water 17 having a water surface 19. In this embodiment, the 25 base 12 has a central portion 21 which is surrounded by the reservoir 15. With this arrangement the reservoir 15 provides a moat containing the water surrounding the central portion 21.

6 The base 12 has an outer periphery 23 surrounding the reservoir 15. The outer periphery 23 incorporates a ramp 25 which extends upwardly and inwardly from a lower portion 27 adjacent the underside 13 of the base 12 to an upper portion 31 adjacent the outer periphery of the reservoir 15. The ramp 23 is adapted to present a 5 textured surface along which millipedes can crawl along the ground up to the reservoir 15. The periphery of the reservoir 15 is defined by a substantially upright smooth wall 33 extending downwardly from an upper end 31 of the ramp 25. The upright wall 33 providing a steep surface 33a. With this arrangement, millipedes which have 10 travelled up the ramp tend to topple into the water 17 contained within the reservoir 15 and drown in the water. The upper end 31 of the ramp has a smooth band 36 to reduce the traction ability of the millipede on at the top of the ramp 25. The upright wall 33 has a smooth surface to inhibit millipedes gripping the surface, 15 thereby causing the millipedes to fall into the water 17 contained within the reservoir 15. A light source 35 is provided for attracting millipedes to the body of water 17. The light source 35 comprises a lamp 37 positioned above the reservoir 15 and a reflector 39 for reflecting light from the lamp 37 to the surface 19 of the body of water. The 20 lamp 37 is supported on a post 41 which extends upwardly from the central portion 21 of the base 12. The post 41 incorporates a support structure 43 for supporting the reflector 39, as best seen in Figure 1 of the drawings. The reflector 39 has a reflective surface 45 on the underside thereof in order to direct light emanating from the lamp 37 downwardly towards the water surface 19. 25 In this embodiment, the lamp 37 comprises a low voltage electric globe, which can be powered from any appropriate power supply, such as a 12V transformer 47 or a battery. Where a battery is utilised, it is preferably a rechargeable battery operating 7 in conjunction with a solar panel for recharging. The solar panel may be incorporated into the upper side of the reflector 39. In operation, the apparatus 10 is positioned at a location where it is desired to capture millipedes. After positioning the apparatus 10, the reservoir 15 is filled with 5 water. The light source 35 is operated at night time, thereby causing light to be reflected from the water surface 19 attracting millipedes to the body of water. In being attracted to the light, the millipedes travel up the ramp 25 to the upper edge 31 and thereafter fall into the water within the reservoir 15 to drown. The apparatus 10 can be checked routinely (such as each morning) and any 10 drowned millipedes removed from the apparatus. This is most conveniently by pouring the water (together with the dead millipedes contained therein) from the reservoir 15. The apparatus can then be reset for capturing further millipedes the following night. From the foregoing, it is evident that the present embodiment provides a simple yet 15 highly effective apparatus for attracting and capturing millipedes. The apparatus is able to reduce the population of millipedes in the locality without resorting to chemical control. However, if there is a desire to utilise chemical control, chemicals can be incorporated into the water within the reservoir 15. Alternatively, another liquid can be used in the reservoir 15 for eradicating the millipedes. 20 While the embodiment has been described in relation to control of Portuguese millipedes, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that particular application. The apparatus according to the invention can be used to control various other forms of crawling pests which are attracted to light. Modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of 25 the invention. For instance the apparatus can be of any shape, the light source may be above or in the liquid and may be provided by any available light. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to 8 imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (19)

1. An apparatus for pest control comprising a body having a reservoir for containing a liquid, and means for causing light to emanate from liquid contained within the reservoir thereby attracting insects to the liquid, the 5 means comprises a light source positioned above the reservoir, wherein the body defining the reservoir incorporates a ramped surface adjacent the periphery of the reservoir over which the insects can crawl to gain access to the liquid contained within the reservoir.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid is water, whereby 10 insects which are caused to be attracted to the water fall therein and drown.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the ramp is configured to facilitate crawling of insects therealong for access to liquid contained within the reservoir.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein all or a substantial portion of the 15 surface of the ramp is textured or provided with formations such as ribs to provide a surface the crawling insects can obtain traction.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ramp terminates at a steep surface adjacent the periphery of the reservoir whereby insects having reached the top of the ramp fall into the liquid contained within 20 the reservoir.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the steep surface is orientated so that insects cannot crawl along and escape.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the ramp has a smooth portion so as to provide a smooth band around the periphery of the reservoir. 25

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the smooth band is flat. 10

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the steep surface is a smooth wall such that once the insect falls into the reservoir the insect can not climb up the steep surface.

10. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light 5 emanating from the body of liquid comprises light reflected from the surface of liquid contained within the reservoir.

11. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source includes a reflector means for reflecting light downwardly to the surface of the liquid. 10

12.The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source is white light.

13.The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source is supported on a post extending upwardly from the body of water.

14. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light 15 source comprises illumination means of any appropriate form for generating light, such as a solar, 12 V or battery powered electric globe.

15.The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reservoir contain a mirror therein to reflect light through the liquid to assist in attracting the insects into the reservoir. 20

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein a light source is accommodated within the reservoir so as to be immersed in the liquid contained therein.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein a light source is positioned below the reservoir such that light is transmitted upwardly through 25 the body of liquid. 11

18.The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 19 wherein the light source creates an illuminated ring around the periphery of the reservoir, the illuminated ring having greater intensity than the light emanating from a central region of the reservoir. 5

19. The apparatus as substantially herein described with reference to the drawings.