Bedbug Trap

Abstract

An device for attracting and capturing an insect is provided. The device includes a housing which defines an interior space and a plurality of entrances in open communication with the interior space, a downwardly sloping panel coupled to and disposed within the housing, and an adhesive attached to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the downwardly sloping panel. The downwardly sloping panel and the housing together define a tapering passageway which leads to a crevice opposite at least one of the plurality of entrances, and the adhesive attached to the bottom surface of the panel is adapted to capture the insect.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for attracting and capturing an insect, comprising:
 a structure having a bottom support surface and a plurality of side supports extending away from said bottom support surface, said side supports defining a plurality of entrances to said structure;   a first panel coupled to said structure, said first panel sloping toward said bottom support surface of said structure and away from a first group of said plurality of entrances, said first panel and said bottom support surface defining a first crevice opposite said first group of said plurality of entrances, said first panel having a bottom surface; and   an adhesive attached to at least a portion of said bottom surface of said sloping first panel, said adhesive capable of contacting and capturing an upper portion of the insect when the insect is disposed between said sloping first panel and said bottom support surface of said structure.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first crevice is an open crevice between said first panel and said bottom support surface.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said adhesive is glue.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second panel coupled to said structure, said second panel sloping toward said bottom support surface of said structure and away from a second group of said plurality of entrances, said second panel having a bottom surface,   wherein, said second panel and said bottom support surface define a second crevice within said interior portion opposite said second group of said plurality of entrances, said first and second groups of entrances are defined at opposite first and second sides of said structure, and said adhesive is also attached to at least a portion of said bottom surface of said downwardly sloping second panel.   
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a third panel coupled to said structure and sloping toward said bottom support surface of said structure and away from a third group of said plurality of entrances, and a fourth panel coupled to said structure and sloping toward said bottom support surface of said structure and away from a fourth group of said plurality of entrances, said third and fourth panels each having respective bottom surfaces,   wherein, said third panel and said bottom support surface of said structure define a third crevice within said interior portion opposite said third group of said plurality of entrances, said fourth panel and said bottom support surface of said structure define a fourth crevice within said interior space opposite said fourth group of said plurality of entrances, said third and fourth groups of entrances are defined on opposite third and fourth sides of said structure, and said adhesive is also attached to at least a portion of said respective bottom surfaces of said sloping third panel and said sloping fourth panel.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outer housing having a top surface and a bottom surface,   wherein, said structure is insertable into and removable from said outer housing.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said first panel contacts and covers said first group of said plurality of side supports of said structure.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first panel is adapted to release moisture to attract the insect.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first group of said plurality of entrances and said first panel define a cave-shaped passageway which tapers toward said first crevice, whereby said cave-shaped passageway attracts the insect.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heating element disposed within or adjacent said structure for heating said structure and said adhesive on said bottom surface of said first sloping panel.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 said apparatus is adapted to electrically couple and mechanically mount to a wall outlet to supply electricity to said heating element for operation thereof.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one of a lure, a bait, an insecticide, and an insect growth regulator disposed within said housing.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said apparatus has a length of no more than eighteen inches and a width of no more than twelve inches.   
     
     
         14 . A kit, comprising:
 an outer housing having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a plurality of cartridges which are insertable into and removable from said outer housing, at least one of said cartridges including   (1) a structure having a bottom support surface and a plurality of side supports extending away from said bottom support surface, said side supports defining a plurality of entrances to said structure,   (2) a first panel coupled to said structure, said first panel sloping toward said bottom support surface of said structure and away from a first group of said plurality of entrances, said first panel and said bottom support surface defining a first crevice opposite said first group of said plurality of entrances, said first panel having a bottom surface; and   (3) an adhesive attached to at least a portion of said bottom surface of said sloping first panel, said adhesive capable of contacting and capturing an upper portion of the insect when the insect is disposed between said sloping first panel and said bottom support surface of said structure.   
     
     
         15 . An kit according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 at least one of said cartridges includes an insect growth regulator.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for attracting and capturing an insect, comprising:
 a structure;   a sloping panel coupled to and disposed within said structure, said sloping panel having a bottom surface; and   an adhesive attached to at least a portion of said bottom surface of said sloping panel and capable of contacting and capturing the insect; and   a heating element supported by said structure which heats said structure and said adhesive,   wherein, said structure defines an interior portion and a plurality of entrances to said interior portion, and said sloping panel and said structure define a crevice within said interior portion opposite at least one of said plurality of entrances.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said apparatus has a length which is no more than eighteen inches and a width no more than twelve inches.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a plug element supported by said structure, said plug element being adapted to electrically couple and mechanically mount to a wall outlet to supply electricity to said heating element for operation thereof.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 said plug element includes bifurcated elements configured to receive and electrically couple an appliance plug to the wall outlet.   
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said heating element includes a spring lead adapted to contact said plug element and a circuit coupled to said spring lead.