Sensor triggered apparatus for capturing pests

A trap for flies or other small pests, comprising:

• a housing defining an enclosure with an interior,
• a vacuum pump connected to evacuate the interior of the enclosure and create a negative pressure in the enclosure, including a one-way valve so as to hold negative pressure, and including a pressure sensor sensing pressure in the enclosure such that the vacuum pump can be energized when negative pressure in the enclosure drops below a preselected level,
• an opening in the housing and the enclosure to external atmosphere, with a door normally covering the opening in substantially sealed relationship so as to retain negative pressure in the enclosure,
• electromagnetic means for latching the door closed and for releasing the door to open upon receipt of a release signal,
• a fly sensor near the opening and exterior of the door, to sense the presence of a fly near the opening, and
• fly response means connected to the fly sensor for sending a release signal to unlatch the door when the fly sensor detects a fly is present outside the enclosure and near the opening,
• whereby when a fly appears near the opening of the enclosure the fly sensor determines the presence of the fly and this causes the fly response means to send the release signal to unlatch the door, causing a sudden rush of air from the exterior atmosphere through the opening and into the negative-pressure interior of the enclosure, pulling the fly into the interior of the enclosure.