Insect trap device and method of using

Abstract

An insect trap device and methods of using the device are described herein. In some embodiments, an insect trap includes a light source, a removable enclosure with at least one opening, an adhesive surface at least partially within the enclosure, and optics to redirect light from the light source onto an adhesive trapping surface. The light source may include at least one light emitting diode (LED). The optics may be attached to the removable enclosure, and may be located at least partially within the enclosure. The optics may include optical enhancers such as a reflector, a lens and/or a diffuser. The insect trap may further include an insect attractant that emits sound or scent.

1 . An insect trap comprising:
 a trap portion including an enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect; and   a base portion including a lighting element and a mounting portion, wherein the lighting element is configured to provide light to the trap portion, and wherein the mounting portion is configured to communicate with and receive power from a power source;   wherein the trap portion is configured to removably engage with the base portion and receive light from the base portion when engaged therewith.   
     
     
         2 - 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . An insect trap comprising:
 a trap portion including:   an enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening, wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect, and   a lighting element at least partially contained within the enclosure, wherein the lighting element is configured to provide light within the enclosure and wherein the lighting element is configured to communicate with and receive power from a power source; and   a base portion configured to removably engage the trap portion and provide access to the power source.   
     
     
         71 - 73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . A removable insect trap cartridge comprising:
 an enclosure defining the cartridge, the enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening,   wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect,   wherein the first opening is configured to allow an insect to enter the enclosure, and   wherein the enclosure is configured to provide light in a predetermined pattern within the enclosure.   
     
     
         75 - 102 . (canceled) 
     
     
         103 . A method comprising:
 providing a base portion of an insect trap;   providing a first trap portion of an insect trap, wherein the first trap portion comprises an opening;   mounting the first trap portion to the base portion;   coupling the base portion to a power source to provide power to a lighting element, wherein the lighting element is within the base portion or first trap portion and wherein the lighting element is configured to attract an insect into the first trap portion; and   receiving an insect into the first trap portion through the opening.   
     
     
         104 - 111 . (canceled) 
     
     
         112 . A docking apparatus comprising:
 a docking structure configured to activate in response to a docking activator, the docking activator located on a separate piece configured to engage the docking structure,   wherein the docking structure is in communication with a power source and is configured to control power to a lighting element.   
     
     
         113 - 116 . (canceled) 
     
     
         117 . A removable insect trap cartridge comprising:
 an enclosure defining the cartridge, the enclosure having an adhesive surface and a first opening,   wherein the adhesive surface is at least partially contained within the enclosure and is configured to adhere to an insect, and   a docking activator, the docking activator configured to engage a docking structure in a mounting portion.   
     
     
         118 . An insect trap portion, comprising:
 a front enclosure;   a rear enclosure;   a divider comprising an adhesive, wherein the divider separates the insect trap portion into the front enclosure and the rear enclosure; and   a first opening through which an insect may fly or crawl into the front enclosure.   
     
     
         119 . The insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , wherein the adhesive is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         120 . The insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , wherein the insect trap portion further comprises a second opening or window through which light from the lighting element is transmitted into the rear enclosure when the insect trap portion engages the base portion. 
     
     
         121 . The insect trap portion according to  claim 120 , wherein the first opening is formed in the front housing and the second opening or window is formed in a bottom surface of the rear housing. 
     
     
         122 . The insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , wherein the insect trap portion further comprises an insect attractant. 
     
     
         123 . The insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , wherein the divider further comprises a transparent or translucent material onto which the adhesive is coated. 
     
     
         124 . An insect trap comprising a base portion and an insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , wherein the base portion comprises the lighting element and electrically conductive prongs insertable into an electric socket. 
     
     
         125 . The insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , wherein the insect trap further comprises a transparent or translucent window ( 128 ) through which light from the lighting element is transmitted. 
     
     
         126 . The insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , wherein the base portion further comprises a slot in a top surface of the base portion that engages the insect trap portion when the insect trap portion is mounted on the base portion. 
     
     
         127 . The insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , wherein the base portion further comprises protrusions on the top surface that engage the insect trap portion when the insect trap portion is mounted on the base portion. 
     
     
         128 . A method of making an insect trap portion according to  claim 118 , comprising:
 forming a front housing comprising a first opening through which an insect may fly or crawl;   forming a rear housing;   forming a divider comprising an adhesive; and   joining together the front housing, the rear housing and the divider.   
     
     
         129 . An insect trap, comprising:
 a base portion comprising a lighting element, electrically conductive prongs and an upstanding rear housing; and   an insect trap portion removably mounted to the base portion, the insect trap portion comprising an adhesive and an opening through which an insect may fly or crawl into the insect trap portion,   wherein light emitted from the lighting element is transmitted through the adhesive.   
     
     
         130 . A method of using an insect trap according to  claim 129 , comprising:
 inserting the insect trap portion into the base portion;   emitting light from the lighting element of the base portion;   transmitting the light through the adhesive;   trapping insects in the adhesive;   removing the insect trap portion from the base portion;   discarding the entire insect trap portion without touching the trapped insects or adhesive; and   inserting a new insect trap portion into the base portion.   
     
     
         131 . An insect trap, comprising:
 an insect trap portion and a base portion, the base portion comprising a lighting element and a switch, and the insect trap portion comprising:   an enclosure comprising an adhesive and a first opening through which an insect may fly or crawl into the insect trap portion; and   a downwardly protruding tab that displaces the switch of a base portion to close the switch when the insect trap portion is mounted on the base portion.   
     
     
         132 . A method of using an insect trap according to  claim 131 , comprising:
 mounting an insect trap portion on the base portion, wherein the base portion further comprises electrically conductive prongs insertable into an electric socket, the tab displacing the switch of the base portion to close the switch and   activating the light emitting element when the switch is closed.   
     
     
         133 . A method of using an insect trap, comprising:
 a) inserting an insect trap portion into a base portion, the insect trap portion comprising an adhesive and the base portion comprising a lighting element;   b) emitting light from the lighting element of the base portion, wherein the light is transmitted through the adhesive;   c) trapping insects in the adhesive;   d) removing the insect trap portion from the base portion;   e) discarding the entire insect trap portion without touching the trapped insects or the adhesive; and   f) inserting a new insect trap portion into the base portion.