Carpenter bee traps

Abstract

A carpenter bee trap having at least one entrance hole, at least one plenum section connecting the at least one entrance hole to at least one receptacle adapter coupling, and least one removable receptacle attached to at least one receptacle adapter coupling, the at least one removable receptacle made of a material that admits ambient light to a greater extent than the material forming the plenum such that insects entering the trap follow a path of increasing intensity of ambient light that leads them to the receptacle. In one embodiment, existing carpenter bee nests are treated with a disclosed insecticide gel. The insecticide gel consists of a thixotropic, injectable, non-hardening, non-volatile gel blended with a pyrethroid insecticide, in effect converting the bee nest into a trap.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A carpenter bee trap comprising:
 a trap entrance unit forming a plenum being made of wood or a wood substitute; 
 said trap entrance unit having at least one hole drilled there-through and sized to mimic a natural carpenter bee nest tunnel so as to provide a primary attractant; 
 said hole extending from the outside of the trap unit to a plenum interior; said hole being configured to extend substantially horizontally or at an upward angle; a means to shelter an entrance to said hole is provided to reduce the admittance of ambient light; 
 said trap unit further comprising a receptacle adapter being substantially located at the bottom of said trap unit and being configured to receive a clear or translucent receptacle; 
 a receptacle received by said adapter situated to allow ambient light to enter through said bottom into said plenum interior, thereby providing a secondary attractant; said receptacle further being provided to receive trapped bees. 
 
     
     
       2. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is temporarily attached to the trap. 
     
     
       3. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is disposable. 
     
     
       4. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is configured to be screwed into said bottom of said plenum. 
     
     
       5. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is configured to provide a friction fit with said bottom of said plenum. 
     
     
       6. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein said plenum interior slopes downwardly toward a center region at an angle between 5 degrees and 90 degrees. 
     
     
       7. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the at least one hole is between ½ inch to ¾ inch. 
     
     
       8. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein a back panel of the plenum is vertical and has a flat exterior to allow flush mounting. 
     
     
       9. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein means to shelter comprises a roof that is angled downwardly. 
     
     
       10. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein a means to mount the trap is located substantially at the top of the trap entrance unit. 
     
     
       11. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein a means to mount the trap is located substantially at the back of the trap entrance unit. 
     
     
       12. The carpenter bee trap of  claim 1 , wherein the trap entrance unit is configured to receive a plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
       13. A carpenter bee trap, comprising:
 a trap entrance unit formed of wood or a wood substitute, wherein at least one side of the trap entrance unit has at least one entrance hole that extends from outside the trap entrance unit to an interior of the trap entrance unit, wherein the at least one entrance hole extends substantially horizontally or at an upward angle with a size and shape configured to provide a primary attractant for carpenter bees, and wherein the trap entrance unit further comprises an exit opening for providing an exit path from the interior of the trap entrance unit; and   a receptacle adapter located at the exit opening of the trap entrance unit, wherein the receptacle adapter is adapted to receive at least one receptacle and is adapted so as to allow at least some ambient light to enter the interior of the trap entrance unit via the exit opening, thereby providing a secondary attractant for carpenter bees.    
     
     
       14. The carpenter bee trap of claim 13, further comprising a receptacle removably attached to the receptacle adapter.  
     
     
       15. The carpenter bee trap of claim 14, wherein the receptacle is clear or translucent.  
     
     
       16. The carpenter bee trap of claim 13, wherein the trap entrance unit comprises at least one top panel that overhangs a side wall of the trap entrance unit.  
     
     
       17. The carpenter bee trap of claim 13, wherein the at least one entrance hole extends at an upward angle.  
     
     
       18. The carpenter bee trap of claim 13, wherein the receptacle adapter comprises:
 a reducer section; and   an adapter coupling attached to the reducer section, wherein the reducer section and/or the adapter coupling are at least partially clear or partially translucent so as to allow ambient light to enter the interior of the trap entrance unit through the reducer section and/or the adapter coupling.    
     
     
       19. The carpenter bee trap of claim 13, wherein the exit opening is shaped so as to function as the receptacle adapter.  
     
     
       20. The carpenter bee trap of claim 13, wherein the receptacle adapter comprises a female threaded coupling that is configured to receive a receptacle with a corresponding male threaded coupling.  
     
     
       21. The carpenter bee trap of claim 13, wherein the exit opening is located below the at least one entrance opening.