Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments generally relate to insect trapping apparatus.

Background

[0002] Mosquitoes are the most deadly insect, killing the most human lives as compared to other living animals. In additional to the main diseases carried by mosquitoes such as Dengue, Malaria, Chikungunya, Yellow fever, West Nile, Zika etc, mosquito bites create nuisance to people and animals as well. Over the years, human have tried many methods to get rid of mosquitoes and biting insects in their living environment.

[0003] The most common method is to apply or spray chemical repellent or insecticide. Some of these repellent or insecticide (e.g. Scourge, Anvil, Permethrin, and Malathion) are not safe when used in the long term. Further, such repellent or insecticide is often used as temporary solution and stay partially effective for a limited time only. Thus, such repellent or insecticide needs to be continuously sprayed in order to be effective for a prolonged duration. Furthermore, as the insecticide is not selective, other useful insects, such as bees, may also be killed in the process. In addition, over a long period of time, the insects and mosquitoes that are exposed to the insecticide and have survived may produce offspring that may build up the resistance towards the insecticide in the long run.

[0004] Another common method to combat mosquitoes is mosquito traps. These traps are customized by having different modification to cater to indoor or outdoor usage. They mainly attract female mosquitoes which intend to suck blood so as to produce and lay eggs later. As such, attractants such as carbon dioxide gas, heat, lights, chemical lures are commonly used in traps for mosquitoes. These attractants are used to mimic human breath, body temperature, movement and sweat/smell. Currently, only outdoor mosquito trap utilizes carbon dioxide gas along with various other attractants as mentioned above. Typically, carbon dioxide gas is provided by a compressed carbon dioxide gas tank, or by conversion of fuel into carbon dioxide gas via burning or catalytic conversion from a fuel tank. Accordingly, replacement of carbon dioxide gas tank or fuel tank must be carried out frequently to maintain operation of the mosquito trap. For example, a 20 pound (9 kilogram) of propane fuel tank in a known mosquito trap can only run the mosquito trap for 21 days. Such mosquito trap that generates carbon dioxide gas are not used indoors or in areas with poor ventilation due to safety concern, whereby a buildup of carbon dioxide gas will be harmful to human as well as animals, and may even cause death. Hence, most of existing indoor mosquito traps mainly utilize ultra violet (UV) light source as attractant.

[0005] Another common method to combat mosquito is to entrap the egg laying female mosquitoes and the new born mosquitoes, or to kill the eggs and larvae with chemical insecticides. Such mosquito traps are generally known as ovitrap. Most of these mosquito traps utilizes still water only, and utilizes the chemicals naturally released by the egg and larvae that are laid successfully as lure. These chemicals will attract more female mosquitoes nearby that are also ready to lay their eggs. In some of these mosquito traps, the egg laying mosquitoes will then be entrapped by the structure of the mosquito traps or adhered to sticky pads of the mosquito traps. In some other mosquito traps, the egg laying mosquitoes are not entrapped after laying eggs. Rather, the eggs and larvae are then killed by netting that prevents larvae from reaching the surface to breath or with weak chemical insecticides. The main flaw of such mosquito traps is the reach and coverage. As these mosquito traps function as normal breeding sites, they will only work on mosquitoes that are nearby and that choose the mosquito traps as breeding site among the rest.

[0006] Another method to combat mosquito is to use fungi in mosquito traps to infect the eggs, larvae, and the egg laying mosquitoes. The egg laying mosquitoes are then allowed to leave the mosquito traps while infected, and continue to lay eggs at other nearby breeding sites and infect these breeding sites. However, such mosquito traps require replacement of fungi source periodically, for example every 4 to 6 weeks. Failure to do so will result in the mosquito traps becoming a normal breeding site.

Summary

[0007] According to various embodiments, there is provided an insect trapping apparatus including a trap mechanism. The insect trapping apparatus may further include a carbon dioxide source having a gas outlet to release carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide source. The gas outlet may be disposed in a vicinity of the trap mechanism. The insect trapping apparatus may further include a gas sensor electrically coupled to the carbon dioxide source. The gas sensor may be configured to measure a gas concentration level. The carbon dioxide source may be configured to release carbon dioxide through the gas outlet based on the gas concentration level measured by the gas sensor.

[0008] According to various embodiments, there is provided a method of trapping insect. The method may include providing an insect trapping apparatus including a trap mechanism, a carbon dioxide source having a gas outlet, wherein the gas outlet is disposed in a vicinity of the trap mechanism, and a gas sensor electrically coupled to the carbon dioxide source. The method may further include measuring a gas concentration level with the gas sensor of the insect trapping apparatus. The method may further include releasing carbon dioxide through the gas outlet of the carbon dioxide source of the insect trapping apparatus based on the gas concentration level measured by the gas sensor.

[0009] According to various embodiments, there is provided an insect trapping apparatus including a fluid container having a base and an opening opposite the base. The insect trapping apparatus may further include a panel provided in the fluid container. The panel may be configured to be coated with a substance for infecting the insect such that the substance may be transferred from the panel to the insect upon contact with the panel. The insect trapping apparatus may further include a plunger disposed within the fluid container. The plunger may include a planar net at an end of the plunger. The plunger may be orientated with the planar net at least substantially parallel to the base of the fluid container. The plunger may be movable relative to the fluid container in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the base of the fluid container to move the planar net between a first position at the base of the fluid container and a second position between the base and the opening of the fluid container.

[00010] According to various embodiments, there is provided an insect trapping apparatus including a fluid container having a base and an opening opposite the base. The insect trapping apparatus may further include a first spool and a second spool provided in the fluid container. Each of the first spool and the second spool may be rotatable about the respective longitudinal axis. The insect trapping apparatus may further include a strip of meshed material held by the first spool and the second spool such that rotating the first spool winds the strip of meshed material onto the first spool and unwinds the strip of meshed material from the second spool. The strip of meshed material may be configured to be coated with a substance for infecting the insect such that the substance is transferred from the meshed material to the insect upon contact with the meshed material.

Brief description of the drawings

[00011] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an insect trapping apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an insect trapping apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show schematic diagrams of an insect trapping apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an insect trapping apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a fungus roller system of the insect trapping apparatus of FIG. 4 according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a filter arrangement of the insect trapping apparatus of FIG. 4 according to various embodiments.

Detailed description

[00012] Embodiments described below in context of the apparatus are analogously valid for the respective methods, and vice versa. Furthermore, it will be understood that the embodiments described below may be combined, for example, a part of one embodiment may be combined with a part of another embodiment.

[00013] It should be understood that the terms "on", "over", "top", "bottom", "down", "side", "back", "left", "right", "front", "lateral", "side", "up", "down" etc., when used in the following description are used for convenience and to aid understanding of relative positions or directions, and not intended to limit the orientation of any device, or structure or any part of any device or structure. In addition, the singular terms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word "or" is intended to include "and" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[00014] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus for capturing insects, such as mosquitoes, have been provided to address at least some of the issues identified earlier. According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus may be a mosquito trapping apparatus.

[00015] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may be configured for urbanized indoor application to lure insects, such as mosquitoes, using active carbon dioxide gas generation. The insect trapping apparatus may be further configured for flexibility of the trap placement within an indoor environment. Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may include continuous generation of carbon dioxide gas using main supply of town gas in urbanized cities (e.g. Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.) such that the insect trapping apparatus may be free from the requirement and hassle of monitoring and replacement of carbon dioxide gas tanks or fuel tanks.

[00016] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may include an optimized fuel feed control for better fuel efficiency and a safety mechanism for preventing buildup of carbon dioxide which may be harmful. According to various embodiments, the fuel feed control may receive feedback from an integration of multiple gas sensors, such as carbon dioxide sensors, to control the level of the carbon dioxide and adjust the carbon dioxide generation accordingly. This may allow easy and optimized adaption of the insect trapping apparatus across different countries with different composition of town gas. According to various embodiments, the safety mechanism may be configured to ensure the safety of the users, by avoiding buildup of carbon dioxide to hazardous levels within an indoor environment. For example, gas sensors, such as carbon dioxide sensor, may be placed at the outside of or close to the insect trapping apparatus to verify normal concentrations of carbon dioxide in the ambient atmosphere.

[00017] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may also be configured to provide a close loop control of the level of carbon dioxide. Accordingly, the insect trapping apparatus may be configured to emulate the carbon dioxide generation of a human by controlled ejection of small doses of carbon dioxide. Since the carbon dioxide will spread in the nearby surrounding environment by diffusion only, the impact of the carbon dioxide concentration increase caused by the insect trapping apparatus operating in the above manner may be the same as the carbon dioxide concentration increase caused by another human being in the room. Hence, the insect trapping apparatus may prevent buildup of carbon dioxide in the indoor environment. Further, the control of carbon dioxide generation and/or emission in the above manner may allow operation of the insect trapping apparatus from a limited reservoir (either compressed carbon dioxide gas tank or fuel tank for secondary generation of carbon dioxide) for a longer periods of time as compared to the conventional insect trapping apparatus operating on limited reservoir that continuously emit a considerable amount of carbon dioxide.

[00018] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may also generate heat from combustion of town gas to produce carbon dioxide and utilize the heat generated to act as an additional attractant. This may allow for better overall energy efficiency as compared to catalytic conversion of fuel or direct release of compressed carbon dioxide.

[00019] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may be configured as a fungus based insect trap that utilizes fungus to infect the insect, for example mosquitoes, such that the infected insect may carry the infection and spread to the insect breeding site or the insect nest. Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may be a simple and low cost system whereby the insect trapping apparatus may be free of requiring electrical power.

[00020] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may include a fail safe mechanism that automatically converts an opened fungus based mosquito trap into an ovitrap, when there is a lack of timely maintenance of the opened fungus based mosquito trap. In the opened fungus based mosquito trap, as the feature that controls the mosquito is the fungus itself, it is vital that sufficient fungi may be present in the trap itself. Otherwise, a lack of timely maintenance or refilling of the fungi may cause the opened fungus based mosquito trap to become a normal breeding site resulting in a spread of mosquitoes. According to various embodiments, the fail safe mechanism of the insect trapping apparatus may be configured to allow easy maintenance. Accordingly, the insect trapping apparatus may be configured to allow filtering and lifting up the eggs and larvae for removal. This may allow the water inside the insect trapping apparatus to be preserved and reused. This may be helpful in attracting or luring mosquitoes because female mosquito release pheromone (Mosquito Oviposition Pheromone, MOP) into the water contained in the insect trapping apparatus upon successful egg-laying, to signal and attract other mosquitoes to do same. Accordingly, the effectiveness of the insect trapping apparatus according to various embodiments, in attracting and killing mosquitoes, may be much better than the conventional insect traps.

[00021] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may be a smart and efficient system whereby the insect trapping apparatus may require minimal maintenance. Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may include a fungus roller system to allow user to load the insect trapping apparatus with large amount of fungus gauze (1 - 2 years of supply) at one instance, and the fungus roller system may be configured to automatically refresh and expose new fungus gauze. Accordingly, this may allow operation of the insect trapping apparatus for much longer duration without the need of user interaction or maintenance as it may take longer for the fungi to diminish to cause the insect trapping apparatus to become low in fungus or being lack of fungus.

[00022] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may include a filter-recycle water system. According to various embodiments, the filter-recycle water system may be configured to automatically filter the eggs, pupas, larvae from the water within the insect trapping apparatus and recycle the water (for example water with MOP) back into the insect trapping apparatus. According to various embodiments, the filter-recycle water system may also automatically top up and maintain the water level within the insect trapping apparatus as required. According to various embodiments, the filter-recycle water system may also perform self-cleaning to remove the organic waste it collected. This may also avoid the need of user interaction or maintenance for a prolong period of time.

[00023] Various embodiments of an insect trapping apparatus may include a double layer of capacitive sensing netting configured to count mosquitoes entering and leaving the trap. According to various embodiments, the double layer of capacitive sensing netting may increase the static charge of mosquitoes which may increase the amount of static charged fungus transferred onto the mosquitoes to be carried to other insect breeding sites or insect nests.

[00024] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an insect trapping apparatus 100 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may be configured for use in urbanized indoor application and to utilize carbon dioxide gas as an attractant for luring the insect, such as mosquitoes, into the insect trapping apparatus 100.

[00025] As shown in FIG. 1, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may include a trap mechanism 110 and a carbon dioxide source. As shown, the carbon dioxide source may be a carbon dioxide generator 120. The carbon dioxide generator 120 may include a gas outlet 122. The gas outlet 122 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to release carbon dioxide generated by the carbon dioxide generator 120. Further, the gas outlet 122 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be disposed in a vicinity of the trap mechanism 110 such that the carbon dioxide released through the gas outlet 122 from the carbon dioxide generator 120 may act as a lure to attract insect, such as mosquitoes, to the trap mechanism 110. Accordingly, the gas outlet 122 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be positioned, or orientated or arranged with respect to the trap mechanism 110 such that the carbon dioxide released from the gas outlet 122 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be effective in luring the insect into the trap mechanism 110 depending on how trap mechanism 110 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 works to trap or capture the insects.

[00026] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may further include a gas sensor 130. For example, the gas sensor 130 may be a carbon dioxide sensor or an oxygen sensor. The gas sensor 130 may be electrically coupled to the carbon dioxide generator 120. Further, the gas sensor 130 may be configured to measure a gas concentration level. Accordingly, the gas sensor 130 may provide information or data or signal indicative of the gas concentration level electronically or electrically to the carbon dioxide generator 120. According to various embodiments, the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to generate carbon dioxide based on the gas concentration level measured by the gas sensor 130. Accordingly, the carbon dioxide generator 120 and the gas sensor 130 may form a closed loop system or a feedback arrangement in which the gas sensor 130 may provide feedback regarding the gas concentration level to the carbon dioxide generator 120 such that the carbon dioxide generator 120 may regulate the generation of carbon dioxide depending on the feedback received. According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may include one or more gas sensors 130.

[00027] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may be used as an indoor insect trap due to the safety provided by the feedback arrangement of the carbon dioxide generator 120 and the gas sensor 130. As shown in FIG. 1, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may include a first gas sensor 131. The first gas sensor 131, for example a first carbon dioxide sensor, may be one of the gas sensors 130 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 that may be placed within a housing 102 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 to detect actual concentration level of carbon dioxide gas generated by the carbon dioxide generator 120. Accordingly, the first gas sensor 131 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may measure a gas concentration level, for example a carbon dioxide concentration level, produced by the carbon dioxide generator 120, and may feedback the measured gas concentration level information to the carbon dioxide generator 120. Further, the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to adjust a rate of carbon dioxide generation based on the measured gas concentration level received to either maintain the gas concentration level about a predetermined desired concentration level or to maintain the gas concentration level within a predetermined desired concentration range.

[00028] According to various embodiments, when the insect trapping device 100 is in an operating orientation, for example as shown in FIG. 1, the gas outlet 122 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be elevated above a ground 104 on which the insect trapping device 100 may be placed. Further, the gas outlet 122 may be configured to direct the release of the carbon dioxide towards the ground 104. According to various embodiments, the insect trapping device 100 may further include a second gas sensor 132. The second gas sensor 132, for example a second carbon dioxide sensor, may be one of the gas sensors 130 of the insect trapping device 100 that may be placed externally on and at a lower end of the insect trapping apparatus 100, in close proximity to the ground level so as to detect an actual and highest environmental carbon dioxide gas concentration due to the insect trapping apparatus 100. Accordingly, the second gas sensor 132 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may be disposed between the ground 104 and the gas outlet 122, and externally to the insect trapping device 100 for measuring the ambient gas concentration level, such as an ambient carbon dioxide concentration level, below the gas outlet 122. For example, the second gas sensor 132 may be disposed externally at a base of the insect trapping device 100.

[00029] According to various embodiments, the second gas sensor 132 may be the primary gas sensor 130 that acts as a feedback mechanism to the carbon dioxide generator 120 for ensuring that the carbon dioxide concentration level may only be elevated to a safe concentration level for users. Carbon dioxide gas is heavier than air, and in the worst case scenario whereby the insect trapping apparatus 100 may be placed in a poorly ventilated and zero air movement environment, a pocket of hazardous concentration of carbon dioxide gas may build up near the area in the vicinity of the lower end of the insect trapping apparatus 100 if the generation of carbon dioxide gas is left unchecked. Carbon dioxide toxicity may be expected when carbon dioxide concentration is raise to 1% volume in air or more. Symptoms may start from drowsiness to unconsciousness, and even death. Thus, this may be avoided entirely with the second gas sensor 132 acting as a safety feedback mechanism to the carbon dioxide generator 120. Accordingly, the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to stop carbon dioxide generation or to stop the release of carbon dioxide through the gas outlet 122 when the measured gas concentration reaches a predetermined safety concentration level.

[00030] According to various embodiments, the gas sensor 132 may include oxygen sensor or carbon dioxide sensor. Accordingly, in various embodiments, oxygen sensor may be interchangeable with carbon dioxide sensor. Hence, it may be possible to use oxygen sensor to replace carbon dioxide sensor, as they serve the same purpose. For example, oxygen sensor may be used to sense a lack of oxygen. Accordingly, oxygen sensor may measure an oxygen concentration level.

[00031] According to various embodiments, the second gas sensor 132 may include a carbon dioxide sensor configured to measure a carbon dioxide concentration level. Accordingly, the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to stop carbon dioxide generation or to stop the release of carbon dioxide through the gas outlet 122 when the measured carbon dioxide concentration level exceeds a predetermined safety level. According to various other embodiments, the second gas sensor 132 may include an oxygen sensor configured to measure an oxygen concentration level. Accordingly, the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to stop carbon dioxide generation or to stop the release of carbon dioxide through the gas outlet 122 when the measured oxygen concentration level falls below a predetermined safety level.

[00032] According to various embodiments, the carbon dioxide generator 120 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may include a combustion chamber 124 and a fuel inlet 126 in fluid communication with the combustion chamber 124. According to various embodiments, the combustion chamber 124 may include a burner 125 and the fuel inlet 126 may be in fluid communication with the burner 125 of the combustion chamber 124. The fuel inlet 126 may provide fuel into the combustion chamber 124 such that the fuel may combust or burn to produce carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide produced may then be flowed to the gas outlet 122 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 such that the carbon dioxide may be released from the gas outlet 122. The amount of carbon dioxide produced through the combustion or burning of fuel may be dependent on the amount of fuel that is being supplied to the combustion chamber 124 for combusting or burning.

[00033] According to various embodiments, the carbon dioxide generator 120 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may further include a fuel flow regulator 128 coupled to the fuel inlet 126. The fuel flow regulator 128 may be configured to control or regulate the amount of fuel flowing into the combustion chamber 124 for combustion or burning so as to control or regulate the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the carbon dioxide generator 120.

[00034] According to various embodiments, the gas sensor 130 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may be configured to send a signal indicative of the measured gas concentration level to the fuel flow regulator 128. The fuel flow regulator 128 may be configured to control a flow of fuel through fuel inlet 126 into the combustion chamber 124 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 based on the signal received from the gas sensor 130 for controlling the generation of the carbon dioxide. Accordingly, the fuel flow regulator 128 may process the signal received from the gas sensor 130 and regulate the flow of fuel through the fuel inlet 126. According to various embodiments, the amount and concentration of carbon dioxide generated by the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be monitored and controlled by the feedback arrangement of the gas sensors 130 and fuel flow regulator 128 of the carbon dioxide generator 120.

[00035] According to various embodiments, the fuel flow regulator 128 may include a controller (or a processor) 129, or may be coupled with a controller (or a processor) 129. The controller 129 may be configured to receive and process the signal from the gas sensor 130 and translate the signal into an operating instruction to the fuel flow regulator 128 for regulating the flow of fuel through the fuel inlet 126.

[00036] According to various embodiments, the fuel inlet 126 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may be configured to be connectable to a domestic gas line 106. The domestic gas line 106 may be connected to the town gas pipe supply. Accordingly, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may use piped town gas for reliable carbon dioxide gas generation as attractant. Hence, the town gas pipe supply may ensure non-disruptive supply of carbon dioxide gas and free the need to frequently replace compressed carbon dioxide gas tanks or fuel tanks. The composition of town gas may be different across countries and time. For example, Singapore town gas' compositions varies by hydrogen (H2) (41-66%), carbon dioxide (C02) (9-20%), Methane (CH4) (4-33%), while that of Malaysia's varies by Methane (CH4) (92%>), Ethane (C2H6) (4%) and other various hydrocarbon. Accordingly, the feedback arrangement of the carbon dioxide generator 120 and the gas sensor 130 or the smart carbon dioxide generation control system may allow easy "plug-and-play" across various regions, as both efficiency and safety of carbon dioxide generation may be ensured.

[00037] According to various embodiments, a method of trapping insect may include providing the insect trapping apparatus 100 having the trap mechanism 110, the carbon dioxide source with the gas outlet 122, wherein the gas outlet 122 is disposed in a vicinity of the trap mechanism 110, and the gas sensor 130 electrically coupled to the carbon dioxide source. According to various embodiments, the method may further include measuring a gas concentration level with the gas sensor 130 of the insect trapping apparatus 100, and releasing carbon dioxide through the gas outlet 122 of the carbon dioxide source of the insect trapping apparatus 100 based on the gas concentration level measured by the gas sensor 130. According to various embodiments, the carbon dioxide source may include the carbon dioxide generator 120 connected to a town gas supply. Accordingly, the method may further include generating carbon dioxide via burning the town gas supplied to the carbon dioxide generator 120. Further, the method may include controlling the generation of carbon dioxide by regulating the town gas supplied to the carbon dioxide generator 120.

[00038] According to various embodiments, the trap mechanism 110 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may include a suction trap 112. The suction trap 112 may include a pump 114 configured to generate suction, a suction inlet 116 and a netting 118 disposed along a suction conduit 115 between the suction inlet 116 and the pump 114. In this configuration, the pump 114 may generate a suction to pull insects near the suction inlet 1 16 into the suction inlet 1 16 to be subsequently caught or trapped by the netting 118. According to various embodiments, the gas outlet 122 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be adjacent to the suction inlet 116 of the suction trap 112 such that the carbon dioxide released from the gas outlet 122 may effectively lure the insects near to the suction inlet 116. According to various embodiments, the gas outlet 122 may be abutting the suction inlet 1 16. According to various other embodiments, the suction inlet 116 may encircle or surround the gas outlet 122.

[00039] According to various embodiments, the burner 125 of the combustion chamber 124 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may generate carbon dioxide and, at the same time, heat up the housing 102 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 with the heat generated in combusting the town gas. According to various embodiments, there may be mechanical contacts between the burner 125 of the carbon dioxide generator 120 and the housing 102 such that the temperature of the housing 102 may be kept optimal. At the optimal temperature, temperature of the housing 102 may mimic that of a human and may act as an additional attractant. Accordingly, the housing 102 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may be in thermal connection with the combustion chamber 124 of the carbon dioxide generator 120.

[00040] According to various embodiments, the carbon dioxide generator 120 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 may be configured to release carbon dioxide at a predetermined periodic interval. Accordingly, the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to release carbon dioxide in bursts or doses recurring at regular interval. Hence, the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to release periodic bursts or periodic doses of carbon dioxide, instead of continuous steam of carbon dioxide. In this manner, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may mimic normal human or animal breathing patterns, thus increasing attractiveness to insects, such as mosquitoes. According to various embodiments, the burner 125 or the carbon dioxide generator 120 may be configured to, or additional actuating mechanical or polymeric pump may be used to generate periodic bursts or doses of carbon dioxide to mimic the natural breath pattern by human or animals.

[00041] According to various embodiments, the area within the heated housing 102 may act as a carbon dioxide reservoir, to smoothen the generation of carbon dioxide in a small constricted indoor place. This may avoid rapid switching on and off of combustion to maintain an attractive elevated and safe carbon dioxide environment.

[00042] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 100 may include additional capacitive sensing netting for counting purposes. The netting may be placed inside the conduit or the tube 115 for suction. [00043] In use, with sufficient and safe level of carbon dioxide generated and diffusing outwards, insects such as female mosquitoes seeking to feed on blood, may be attracted towards the origin of the carbon dioxide which may be the gas outlet 122 (or the tip) that emits the carbon dioxide from the insect trapping apparatus 100. Accordingly, mosquitoes that are near the gas outlet 122, which may be adjacent to the suction inlet 116, may be sucked into the netting 118 by vacuum suction. Hence, the mosquitoes may be trapped in the netting 118 of the insect trapping apparatus 100. As the netting 118 may be placed near the burner 125 and within a carbon dioxide reservoir, the buildup of carbon dioxide, heat, lack of food and water may kill the mosquitoes captured.

[00044] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an insect trapping apparatus 200 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 200 may, similar to the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG.1, be configured for use in urbanized indoor application and to utilize carbon dioxide gas as an attractant for luring insects, such as mosquitoes, into the insect trapping apparatus 200.

[00045] As shown, the insect trapping apparatus 200 may, similar to the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, include a trap mechanism 210 and a carbon dioxide source 220. According to various embodiments, the carbon dioxide source 220 may be a carbon dioxide generator, such as the carbon dioxide generator 120 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. According to various other embodiments, the carbon dioxide source 220 may also be a carbon dioxide gas tank. The carbon dioxide source 220 may include a gas outlet 222 to release carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide source 220 and a gas sensor 230 electrically coupled to the carbon dioxide source 220. The gas outlet 222 may be disposed in a vicinity of the trap mechanism 210. The gas sensor 230 may be configured to measure a gas concentration level. The carbon dioxide source 220 may be configured to release carbon dioxide through the gas outlet 222 based on the gas concentration level measured by the gas sensor 230. The trap mechanism 210 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be different from the trap mechanism 110 of the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. According to various embodiments, the trap mechanism 210 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may include an electric trap 211. The electric trap 211 may include a high voltage electric grid or netting or cage. Accordingly, the configuration of the carbon dioxide source 220 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 relative to the trap mechanism 210 may be different from that of the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

[00046] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 may include a carbon dioxide container 240 having a base 242 and an opening 244 opposite the base 242. According to various embodiments, the electric trap 211 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be suspended across the opening 244 of the carbon dioxide container 240. Further, the gas outlet 222 of the carbon dioxide source 220 may be coupled to the base of the carbon dioxide container 240. In this configuration, the gas outlet 222 of the carbon dioxide source 220 may still be within the vicinity of the trap mechanism 210 and be effective in providing carbon dioxide to the trap mechanism 210 for luring insects, such as mosquitoes, to the trap mechanism 210.

[00047] According to various embodiments, carbon dioxide released from the carbon dioxide source 220 may be accumulated in the carbon dioxide container 240 (or the carbon dioxide reservoir) of the insect trapping apparatus 200. With the accumulation of carbon dioxide, for example from a limited source (e.g. compressed carbon dioxide tank or generation of carbon dioxide from fuel tanks) or a continuous source (e.g. generation of carbon dioxide from town gas supply), the carbon dioxide may accumulate and overflow from the opening 244 of the carbon dioxide container 240 such that carbon dioxide flows out of the carbon dioxide container 240 to diffuse into the environment. Accordingly, the carbon dioxide container 240 may allow a different method of carbon dioxide diffusion, by mimicking normal air current and diffusion. In comparison to the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, in which carbon dioxide is emitted in small volumes of high concentration, the carbon dioxide container 240 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may emit large volumes of lower but optimized increased carbon dioxide concentration.

[00048] According to various embodiments, the gas outlet 222 of the carbon dioxide source 220 may be coupled to the base of the carbon dioxide container 240. Accordingly, in the operating orientation, the carbon dioxide source 220 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be placed below the carbon dioxide container 240 of the insect trapping apparatus 200. As carbon dioxide is heavier than normal air, such configuration of placing the carbon dioxide source 220 at the base of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be ideal or may enhance the effectiveness of accumulating carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide container 240.

[00049] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 200 with the electric trap 211 and the carbon dioxide container 240 configuration, may allow various placement locations for the gas sensors 230 as well as the carbon dioxide source 220.

[00050] According to various embodiments, a housing 202 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be in thermal connection with the carbon dioxide source 220, when the carbon dioxide source 220 is a carbon dioxide generator, such that town gas may also be used to heat up the insect trapping apparatus 200 as the secondary attractant to attract mosquitoes.

[00051] According to various embodiments, the gas sensor 230 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be disposed in the vicinity of the opening 244 of the carbon dioxide container 240. According to various embodiments, a first gas sensor 231 of the gas sensor 230 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be disposed inside the carbon dioxide container 240. Accordingly, the first gas sensor 231 may be between the base 242 and the opening 244 of the carbon dioxide container 240. According to various embodiments, a second gas sensor 232 of the gas sensor 230 of the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be disposed at a rim 245 of the opening 244 of the carbon dioxide container 240. According to various other embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 200 may include at least one gas sensor 230 disposed at a rim 245 of the opening 244 of the carbon dioxide container 240. According to various embodiments, the gas sensor 230 may include a carbon dioxide sensor or an oxygen sensor.

[00052] According to various embodiments, the gas sensor 230 may be configured for continuous feedback and control of combustion process for the release of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide generation by the carbon dioxide source 220. According to various embodiments, a minimum of one gas sensor 230 or preferable more than one gas sensors 230 may be used to monitor the carbon dioxide concentration at the diffused zones near the opening 244 of the carbon dioxide container 240, and inside the carbon dioxide container 240. According to various embodiments, sensor readings from the gas sensor 230 may be used to control the carbon dioxide release or generation rate to ensure safety of the people in the room or the house or the building in which the insect trapping apparatus 200 may be used. For instance, a critical concentration level of carbon dioxide may be set at 0.3% (~3000ppm) such that, when a concentration level of >3000ppm carbon dioxide is detected by the gas sensor 230, the information may be sent to control the release of carbon dioxide or the generation of carbon dioxide or the combustion of town gas. Accordingly, when the carbon dioxide source 220 is a carbon dioxide generator, the combustion process of the carbon dioxide generator may be stopped so that generation of carbon dioxide may be put on hold till the concentration level of carbon dioxide reaches acceptable levels according to the set values. Such feedback safety control may also be implemented using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers. Thus, a gradual profile of carbon dioxide concentration may be maintained around a preset value at the point of sensor (e.g. 600-8000ppm) in order not to exceed the preset carbon dioxide concentration.

[00053] According to various embodiments, the electric trap 211 of the insect trapping apparatus 200, which may be used for killing mosquitoes attracted to the insect trapping apparatus 200, may be used for counting the mosquitoes lured to the insect trapping apparatus 200. According to various embodiments, sensing and counting the voltage spikes of the electric trap 211 may indicate the number of mosquitoes attracted and killed.

[00054] According to various embodiments, additional chemical attractant, such as Octenol, which mimics human sweat/smell may optionally be added to the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 or the insect trapping apparatus 200 of FIG. 2, for example via a chemical attractant diffuser 236 as shown in FIG.2, to increase the effectiveness in attracting insects, such as mosquitoes.

[00055] According to various embodiments, lighting devices (for example lighting devices 238 in FIG. 2), such as light emitting diodes, may be included in the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 or the insect trapping apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 as additional attractant.

[00056] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 or the insect trapping apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 may further include sound wave generator (for example sound wave generator 234 in FIG. 2). Accordingly, sound waves around 500Hz may be generated by the sound wave generator to attract mosquitoes to the trap. Mean frequencies of male mosquitoes ranged from 571 to 832 Hz (overall male mean and standard deviation, 711 ± 78 Hz, n = 10), while female mosquitoes ranged from 421 to 578 Hz (overall 511 ± 46 Hz, n = 11). Accordingly, using sound wave generator to generate wingbeat of female mosquitoes as an attractant may allow targeting of male mosquitoes.

[00057] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 or the insect trapping apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 may also be configured to be smart, or connected to smart home systems or internet of things (IoT) system. Accordingly, insect trapping apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 or the insect trapping apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 may include connectivity devices (for example connectivity devices 239 in FIG. 2). The user may communicate with the insect trapping apparatus 100 or insect trapping apparatus 200 to operate at set timings and in different modes. The user may communicate to the insect trapping apparatus 100 or insect trapping apparatus 200 that no one is at home, and command it to operate at higher but still safe level of carbon dioxide generation or emission.

[00058] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show schematic diagrams of an insect trapping apparatus 300 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 300 may be configured as a simple, low cost fungus based trap for insects, such as mosquitoes, whereby the trap does not require power so as to provide flexibility of placement of trap. As shown, the insect trapping apparatus 300 may include a fluid container 350 having a base 352 and an opening 354 opposite the base 352. Accordingly, the base 352 and the opening 354 may be at opposing ends of the fluid container 350. The insect trapping apparatus 300 may further include a panel 360 provided in the fluid container. The panel 360 may be in the form of a flat panel, or a curved panel, or a cylindrical panel. The insect trapping apparatus 300 may also include multiple panels 360 forming a loop. The panel 360 may include gauze, netting, fabric, cloth, screen, web, or the like. The panel 360 may be configured to be coated with a substance for infecting the insects, such as mosquitoes. The substance may be transferred from the panel 360 to the insect upon the insect contacting the panel 360. According to various embodiments, the substance may include fungus or agents of chemical or biological origin that may contaminate the insects such that the substance may slowly kills the insects while the insects spread the contamination to other insects of the same kind. According to various embodiments, the substance may include entomopathogenic fungi. Example of entomopathogenic fungi may include fungus in the genus Beauveria such as Beauveria Bassiana or etc., or fungus in the genus Metarhizium such as Metarhizium anisopliae or Metarhizium brunneum or etc., or fungus in the genus Cordyceps such as Cordyceps militaris or etc., or fungus in the genus Ophiocordyceps such as Ophiocordyceps sinensis or etc., or fungus in the genus Lecanicillium such as Lecanicillium longisporum or etc.

[00059] According to various embodiments, the panel 360 may be orientated such that a main surface of the panel 360 may be at least substantially perpendicular to the base 352 of the fluid container 350. According to various embodiments, the panel 360 may be configured to be floatable such that when the fluid container 350 is filled with water, the panel 360 may be floated on the water surface with the main surface of the panel 360 at least substantially perpendicular to the water surface.

[00060] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 300 may further include a plunger 370 disposed within the fluid container 350. The plunger 370 may include a planar net 372 at an end of the plunger 370. The planar net 372 may be at least substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plunger 370. The planar net 372 may include dense netting. The plunger 370 may be orientated with the planar net 372 at least substantially parallel to the base 352 of the fluid container 350. According to various embodiments, the plunger 370 may be movable relative to the fluid container 350 in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the base 352 of the fluid container 350 to move the planar net 372 between a first position 351 at the base 352 of the fluid container 350 and a second position 353 between the base 352 and the opening 354 of the fluid container. Accordingly, the plunger 370 may be movable in a longitudinal direction.

[00061] According to various embodiments, the fluid container 350 may include a first ledge 356 at the base 352 of the fluid container for holding the planar net 372 when the planer net 372 is at the first position 351. According to various embodiments, the fluid container 350 may include a second ledge 358 at the inner wall of the fluid container 350 such that the second ledge 358 may hold the planar net 372 at the second position 353.

[00062] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus may further include a time-based actuation mechanism 380 configured to actuate the plunger 370 to move the planar net 372 from the first position 351 to the second position 353 after a predetermined time period of the planar net 372 being at the first position 351. Accordingly, the user may manually move the plunger 370 such that the planar net 372 may be moved to the first position 351 at the base 352 of the fluid container 350 as shown in FIG. 3A. When the planar net 372 reaches the first position 351, the time-based actuation mechanism 380 may be activated and may start counting down a preset time for the planar net 372 to remain at the first position 351. The preset time may be a time period that the panel 360 coated with the fungus may remain effective in contaminating insects. For example, the preset time may be a four weeks period. At the end of the preset time, the time-based actuation mechanism may automatically actuate the plunger 370 to move the planar net 372 to the second position 353 between the base 352 and the opening 354 of the fluid container 350 as shown in FIG. 3B. According to various embodiments, the second position 353 may be a predetermined water level 359 of a desired amount of water to be contained in the fluid container 350.

[00063] According to various embodiments, the time-based actuation mechanism 380 may include a mechanical timer. Accordingly, the arrangement of the mechanical timer, the plunger 370 and the planar net 372 may be implemented in the insect trapping apparatus 300 which may be an opened fungus based insect trap.

[00064] According to various embodiments, the time-based actuation mechanism 380 may include a spring mechanism, such as a mechanical spring, configured to bias the plunger 370 to move the planar net 372 from the first position 351 to the second position 353 after the predetermined time period of the planar net 372 being at the first position 351. Accordingly, the spring mechanism may automatically unwind and raise the planar net 372 of the plunger 370 at the end of the predetermined time period. For example, the predetermined time period may be a four weeks period. Accordingly, the automatic raising of the planar net 372 may be the fail safe mechanism that automatically converts the insect trapping apparatus 300 in the form of an opened fungus based insect trap into an ovitrap if the fungi are not timely replenished or refilled due to a lack of timely maintenance.

[00065] According to various embodiments, the planar net 372 may be configured to prevent the larvae of the insect from reaching to the water surface to breathe when the planar net 372 is in the second position 353. Killing the larvae may thus prevent adult mosquito emergence, which is similar to that of an ovitrap.

[00066] In the conventional fungus based insect trap, presence of fungus is crucial. Thus, it is vital that there is sufficient fungus present in the trap itself. Upon lack of timely maintenance, the conventional fungus based insect trap becomes a normal breeding site for the insect, such as mosquito. In contrast, the insect trapping apparatus 300 according to various embodiments may be converted to an ovitrap which prevent breeding of the insect even if the fungus of the insect trapping apparatus 300 is depleted.

[00067] According to various embodiments, the fail safe mechanism of the insect trapping apparatus 300, which include the plunger 370 and the planar net 372, may allow easy maintenance, by filtering and lifting up the eggs, pupas, and larvae collected, when the insect trapping apparatus 300 acts as a fungus based insect trap, for removal. Accordingly, this may allow the water inside the fluid container 350 of the insect trapping apparatus 300 to be preserved and reused. This may further enhance the effectiveness of the insect trapping apparatus 300 in attracting insects, such as mosquitoes, because the pheromone (Mosquito Oviposition Pheromone, MOP) released into the water by the female mosquito upon success of egg-laying may be preserved, which may act as an attractant to signal and attract other mosquitoes to come to the insect trapping apparatus 300 to lay eggs.

[00068] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 300 may further include a visual indicator 378 configured to provide a visual signal indicative of the planar net 372 being at the second position 353. The visual indicator may include a raised flag. Accordingly, the visual indicator may allow the user to visually recognize that the fungi in the insect trapping apparatus 300 have been depleted and the insect trapping apparatus 300 may be functioning as an ovitrap rather than a fungus based trap. Hence, the user may receive a visual notification by the visual indicator of the insect trapping apparatus 300, such as a raised flag, whenever mechanical timer or spring is triggered to convert the insect trapping apparatus 300 to an ovitrap.

[00069] According to various embodiments, the main benefit of an opened fungus based trap is the infection of secondary breeding sites by the insects, such as mosquitoes, that visited the primary site (or the opened fungus based trap). It may be also vital that the mosquitoes' eggs and larvae are also eliminated to the fullest extent. To enhance the efficiency of infecting secondary sites, the insect trapping apparatus 300 may be configured such that more fungus spores may be adhered onto primary site's mosquitoes, by increasing the static charge on the spores itself. Accordingly, improvement may be made by increasing the static charge of spores in the primary insect trapping apparatus 300 in the form of an opened fungus based trap. The conventional fungus based trap uses passive triboelectric effect, in the form of platinum complex-containing silicone composition. Enhancement of the static charge on the fungus spores may be realized or achieved by using active pyroelectric effect. The pyroelectricity may be generated when pyroelectric material, such as cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), gallium nitride (GaN), caesium nitrate (CsN03), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), 2-phenylpyridine (C6H5C5H4N), is being heated or cooled. According to various embodiments, the panel 360 of the insect trapping apparatus 300 may include a pyroelectric material. Accordingly, when there is a temperature change in the pyroelectric material, a temporary voltage may be generated to increase the static charge. On the other hand, when the temperature remains constant, the temporary voltage across the pyroelectric material crystal may dissipate. Accordingly, the insect trapping apparatus 300 may be configured to realize constant changing temperature. According to various embodiments, the panel 360 having the pyroelectric material may be seated between a top cover (or an umbrella) 398 of the insect trapping apparatus 300 and the water within the insect trapping apparatus 300. A constant temperature difference between the cover 398 and the water may be achieved, by having a black colored cover 398. The black colored cover 398 may have low specific heat capacity which may cause the cover 398 to gain more heat from sunlight throughout the day, and may shade the sunlight from reaching the water body directly. As the day ends, similar to sea breeze and land breeze effect, the water body may lose the heat to the surrounding slower than the umbrella thus maintaining a changing temperature across the pyroelectric material acting as thermal contact between the cover 398 and the water. According to various embodiments, the pyroelectric crystal on the panel 360 may undergo temperature change from direct sunlight, environment, or water within the insect trapping apparatus 300.

[00070] According to various embodiments, enhancement of the static charge on the fungus spores may also be realized or achieved by using thermoelectric effect. Accordingly, the panel 360 of the insect trapping apparatus 300 may include two different thermoelectric materials to harness the constant temperature difference between the top cover 398 of the insect trapping apparatus 300 and the water within the insect trapping apparatus 300. Hence, the temperature gradient across the panel 360 from the top cover 398 to the water may generate voltage to increase the static charge. Examples of thermoelectric materials may include Bismuth chalcogenides and their nanostructures, Lead telluride, Inorganic clathrates, Magnesium group IV compounds, Silicides, Oxide thermoelectrics, or electrically conducting organic materials, etc.

[00071] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an insect trapping apparatus 400 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 400 may be configured as a smart and more efficient system whereby the trap focus on keeping maintenance to a minimal.

[00072] As shown, the insect trapping apparatus 400 may include a fluid container 450 having a base 452 and an opening 454 opposite the base 452. Accordingly, the base 452 and the opening 454 may be at opposing ends of the fluid container 450. The insect trapping apparatus 400 may further include a first spool 482 and a second spool 484 provided in the fluid container 450. Each of the first spool 482 and the second spool 484 may be rotatable about the respective longitudinal axis. According to various embodiments, each of the first spool 482 and the second spool 484 may be orientated with the respective longitudinal axis at least substantially perpendicular to the base of the fluid container 450. According to various embodiments, the first spool 482 and the second spool 484 may be configured to be floatable such that the first spool 482 and the second spool 484 may float on a water surface when the fluid container 450 contains water.

[00073] As shown, the insect trapping apparatus 400 may further include a strip of meshed material 486 held by the first spool 482 and the second spool 484 such that rotating the first spool 482 winds the strip of meshed material 486 onto the first spool 482 and unwinds the strip of meshed material 486 from the second spool 484. The meshed material 486 may include gauze, netting, fabric, cloth, screen, web, or the like. The strip of meshed material 486 may be configured to be coated with a substance for infecting the insects, such as mosquitoes. The substance may be transferred from the meshed material 486 to the insects upon the insects contacting with the meshed material 486. The substance may include fungus or agents of chemical or biological origin that may contaminate the insects such that the substance may slowly kills the insects while the insects spread the contamination to other insects of the same kind. According to various embodiments, the substance may include entomopathogenic fungi.

[00074] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 400 may further include an actuator (not shown) coupled to the first spool 482 and/or the second spool 484. The actuator may be configured to automatically rotate the first spool 482 and/or the second spool 484 such that the strip of meshed material 486 may be wound onto the first pool 482 and unwound from the second spool 484. The actuator may be configured to provide a continuous and slow rotation. The actuator may also be configured to periodically provide a rotation.

[00075] Accordingly, the first spool 482, the second spool 484 and the strip of meshed material 486 may form a fungus roller system. FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a fungus roller system 481 of the insect trapping apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 according to various embodiments. The fungus roller system 481 may allow user to load the insect trapping apparatus 400 with large amount of fungus gauze in the form of the strip of material 486, sufficient for 1 to 2 years of supply, at one instance. Similarly to a compact cassette device, the fungus roller system 481 may automatically mechanically roll both the fresh fungus gauze roll and the old fungus gauze roll. This will pull the fresh fungus gauze out from the roll (or the second spool 484) and around the insect trapping apparatus 400, while rolling older fungus gauze roll into the other roll (or the first spool 482). This may prevent a lack of fungus for much longer duration, without the need of user interaction or maintenance. According to various embodiments, the encapsulation or the materials of the gauze or the strip of material 486 may be configured or optimized with regards to surface adhesion and properties so as to allow insects, such as mosquitoes, to adhere the fungus away from the gauze or the strip of material 486 but prevent unwanted transfer of fungus within the roll itself.

[00076] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 400 may include a filter-recycle water system or a filtering arrangement 490 at the base 452 of the fluid container 450. FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the filter-recycle water system or the filtering arrangement 490 of the insect trapping apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 according to various embodiments. The filter-recycle water system or the filtering arrangement 490 may be configured to automatically filter the eggs, pupas, larvae water collected within the insect trapping apparatus 400 and recycle the water with MOP back into the insect trapping apparatus 400. The top two valves 492, 494 may be connected to the fluid container 450. The bottom two valves 496, 498 may be connected to sewage on the left and fresh water on the right. The filtering arrangement 490 may first (process 1) draw trap water in the fluid container 450 from top left valve 492 to top right valve 494. The organic waste may be collected by the filter 495 through this process. The trap water containing MOP may be recycled back into the fluid container 450. Accordingly, the filtering arrangement 490 may be configured to draw fluid from the fluid container 450 for filtering across the filter 495 in a first direction and to return filtered fluid back into the fluid container 450.

[00077] The filtering arrangement 490 may also automatically top up and maintain the water level within the fluid container 450 of the insect trapping apparatus 400 as required, via bottom right valve 498 to top right valve 494. Accordingly, the filtering arrangement may be configured to be connectable to an external water source to draw water from the water source and to flow the water into the fluid container. According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 400 may include a water level sensor 488 disposed inside the fluid container 450. The water level sensor 488 may be coupled to the filtering arrangement 490 such that the filtering arrangement 490 may top up water in the fluid container 450 based on the water level measured by the water level sensor 488.

[00078] The filtering arrangement 490 may also perform self-cleaning (process 2) to remove the organic waste collected on the filter 495. The filtering arrangement 490 may do so by drawing fresh water from bottom right valve to push all organic waste on the filter 495 into bottom left valve 496 and into the sewage. Accordingly, the filtering arrangement 490 may be configured to be connectable to an external water source to draw water from the water source for passing across the filter 495 in a second direction to clean the filter 495 and discharge dirty fluid from the filtering arrangement 490. The second direction may be opposite the first direction. This may also avoid the need of user interaction or maintenance for a very long period of time.

[00079] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 400 may include a capacitive sensing net 499 suspended across the opening 454 of the fluid container 450. The capacitive sensing net 499 may include double layer of capacitive netting. The double layer of capacitive netting may be able to count and differentiate insects or mosquitoes that are entering and leaving the insect trapping apparatus 400. For example, a top netting of the double layer of capacitive netting may sense a strong signal before a bottom netting of the double layer of capacitive netting to indicate an insect or a mosquito is entering the insect trapping apparatus 400. The netting may also potentially increase the static charge on the insects or the mosquitoes, so that more static charged fungus may be attracted onto them. Accordingly, better secondary site infection may be resulted.

[00080] According to various embodiments, the insect trapping apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 may include connectivity devices 439 such that the insect trapping apparatus 400 may also be configured to be smart, or connected to smart home systems or internet of things (IoT) system. The insect trapping apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 may also include a top cover 498.

[00081] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modification, variation in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.