Attracting mosquitoes for electrocution and/or trapping

#The invention relates generally to attracting and exterminating harmful insects, in particular mosquitoes, and in particular relates to emulating certain characteristics of a mammal to attract insects for electrocution and/or trapping.

#Insect killing devices are known in the art, see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,255,468, 4,852,296, 4,891,904, 5,205,064, 5,020,270, 4,696,126 and 5,301,458.

#The conventional insect killing devices heretofore known typically use light to attract insects to an electrocution grid. Aforementioned Pat. No. 4,891,904 to Tabita discloses a heating device for heating a liquid insecticide containing carrier, such as a mat or wick, for evaporating the insecticide into the atmosphere.

#The invention disclosed herein will be better understood with reference to the following drawings, of which:

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a mosquito killing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 1, but without safety guard 70;

#Referring more specially to the drawings, my improved mosquito killing system is generally designated by reference numeral 20. System 20 attracts mosquitoes 22 by actively projecting multiple infrared heat gradients and pressure differentials coupled with a wide variety of aromatics that simulate animal body heat and breathing.

#System 20 comprises an elongated, generally parallelepiped housing 25 disposed upon a convenient supporting surface 26 (FIG. 1). The housing comprises a rectangular support base 30 and a spaced apart, truncated pyramidal roof 40 (FIGS. 1-2). The roof closes the tower interior. A switch 32 and photoelectric sensor system 34 control system operation, as discussed hereinafter. A pilot light 42 physically protrudes form roof 40 to indicate the operational status of system 20.

#The roof 40 is secured to an internal heating tower 50 extending between the base 30 and the roof 40. A conventional bolt 45 extends through roof 40 to mate with a conventional nut 40. A cross member 48 secures roof 40 to tower 50 and base 30.