Insect trap including methanol fuel cell for generating carbon dioxide and watervapor as attractants

摘要

An insect trap for trapping hematophagous insects utilizes a methanol fuel cell to provide carbon dioxide, water vapor, and heat as attractive agents, and further utilizes electricity generated by the fuel cell to power the electrical components of the trap, thus eliminating the need for an external power source. The fuel cell is mounted in a tubular housing having inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end of a second tubular housing is mounted in spaced adjacent relation to the outlet end of the fuel cell housing. A fan, powered by the fuel cell, is mounted in the second housing for creating an air flow through the fuel cell housing and the second housing. The carbon dioxide and water vapor generated by the fuel cell are drawn through the fuel cell housing and into the inlet end of the trap housing by the air flow, while insects attracted to the device are also drawn into the inlet end of the trap housing by the air flow. A mesh bag is secured around the outlet end of the second housing for trapping insects drawn into the trap housing.