Method and device producing CO.sub.2 gas for trapping insects

A method of trapping insects, comprising:

• providing a trap having a trap inlet through which insects can enter into the trap;
• providing a mixture that includes CO.sub.2 gas produced by a combustion chamber and air;
• and
• releasing the mixture near the trap inlet at a temperature above ambient temperature and below about 115.degree. F.

An insect trapping apparatus, comprising:

• a trap enclosure;
• a suction line having a section including a suction line outlet being positioned inside the trap enclosure, and a downward-facing suction line inlet communicating with air outside the trap enclosure;
• a mesh bag covering the suction tube outlet;
• a suction fan structured and arranged to draw an inflow of air from outside the trap enclosure through the suction line inlet and then through the mesh bag into the trap enclosure, and blow said inflow out from the trap enclosure;
• a combustor including a combustor outlet, the combustor being capable of producing CO.sub.2 gas having a temperature above ambient temperature;
• an exhaust line being coupled to the combustor outlet, one end of the exhaust line having an exhaust line inlet being open to air, another end of the exhaust line having a downward-facing exhaust line outlet positioned directly below the suction line inlet outside the trap enclosure;
• an exhaust fan structured and arranged to cause air to enter the exhaust line inlet and mix with heated CO.sub.2 gas entering the exhaust line from the combustor outlet to create an insect attractant mixture, and to blow the mixture out from the exhaust line at a temperature above ambient temperature and below approximately 115.degree. F.

An insect trapping apparatus, comprising:

• an insect trap, including a trap inlet for the entry of insects;
• a CO.sub.2 gas source capable of providing CO.sub.2 gas having a temperature above ambient temperature, wherein the CO.sub.2 gas source includes a combustion chamber having an outlet;
• an attractant exhaust system coupled to the CO.sub.2 gas source, the attractant exhaust system being structured and arranged to cool heated CO.sub.2 gas and to release an insect attractant comprised of the cooled CO.sub.2 gas near the trap inlet at a temperature above ambient temperature and below approximately 115.degree. F., and wherein the attractant exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe communicating with the combustion chamber outlet, the exhaust pipe including an exhaust pipe outlet near the trap inlet and the attractant exhaust system further includes an exhaust fan positioned to cause air to enter the exhaust pipe inlet and to encourage the insect attractant to flow out from the exhaust pipe outlet;
• the exhaust pipe further comprises an exhaust pipe inlet, the insect attractant being further comprises of air entering the exhaust pipe inlet;
• and
• a second fan arranged to draw air in through the trap inlet.

A method of trapping insects, comprising:

• providing a trap having a trap inlet through which insects can enter into the trap;
• providing a mixture that includes CO.sub.2 gas produced by a combustion chamber and air;
• and
• releasing the mixture near the trap inlet at a temperature above ambient temperature;
• directing the heated CO.sub.2 gas from the combustion chamber into an exhaust pipe, the exhaust pipe comprising an exhaust pipe inlet open to air and an outlet near the trap inlet;
• employing an exhaust fan to mix air from the exhaust pipe inlet with the heated CO.sub.2 gas in the exhaust pipe;
• and
• employing a suction fan to draw an inflow of air in an upward direction into the trap inlet, and wherein releasing the mixture includes directing an exhaust flow of the mixture in a direction downward and counter to the inflow from an exhaust pipe outlet positioned directly below the trap inlet.