Apparatus and method for attracting and trapping insects

An apparatus for attracting and trapping insects comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) a trapping material comprising a line extending in parallel arrangement across a trapping area having a sticky substance applied thereto;
• (c) dispensing means for supporting and dispensing said trapping material;
• (d) said sticky substance on said trapping material being substantially unexposed upon support of said trapping material by said dispensing means in a trapping area, said sticky substance on said trapping material being exposed upon withdrawal of said trapping material from said dispensing means;
• (e) take-up means operatively connected to said trapping material for collecting and withdrawing said trapping material from said dispensing means such that trapping material in said trapping area is advanced through said trapping area;
• and
• (f) drive means operatively connected to said take-up means for selectively operating said take-up means.

An apparatus for attracting and trapping insects comprising:

• (a) a flexible trapping material having tubular cross section when expanded having an inner and outer surface and having a sticky substance applied to the outer surface thereof, said trapping material being supplied in a flat rolled condition and being at least partially transparent;
• (b) dispensing means for supporting and dispensing said trapping material;
• (c) spreader means engaging the inner surface of said trapping material in a trapping area having light means associated thereon;
• (d) said trapping material being expanded to said generally tubular cross section by said spreader means to expose said sticky substance on said trapping material upon withdrawal of said trapping material from said dispensing means;
• (e) take-up means operatively connected to said trapping material for collecting and withdrawing said trapping material from said dispensing means such that trapping material in said trapping area is caused to be advanced through said trapping area;
• and
• (f) drive means operatively connected to said take-up means for selectively operating said take-up means.

An apparatus for attracting and trapping insects comprising:

• (a) a flexible trapping material having a generally tubular cross section when expanded having an inner and outer surface and having a sticky substance applied to the outer surface thereof, said trapping material being supplied in a flat rolled condition;
• (b) dispensing means for supporting and dispensing said trapping material;
• (c) spreader means engaging the inner surface of said trapping material in a trapping area;
• (d) said trapping material being expanded to said generally tubular cross section by said spreader means to expose said sticky substance on said trapping material upon withdrawal of said trapping material from said dispensing means;
• (e) take-up means operatively connected to said trapping material for collecting and withdrawing said trapping material from said dispensing means such that trapping material in said trapping area is caused to be advanced through said trapping area;
• (f) knife means for cutting said trapping material as the trapping material is drawn past said trapping area;
• and
• (g) drive means operatively connected to said take-up means for selectively operating said take-up means.