Abstract:
A bed bug monitor includes a base and a central housing. The central housing is insulated and encloses a supply of solid carbon dioxide. During use an aperture in the housing releases a plume of carbon dioxide vapor which attracts bed bugs onto the base.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a bed bug monitor apparatus which uses carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as a bed bug attractant. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recently there has been increased attention placed on the increased and unwanted presence of bed bugs in hotels and even in private homes. 
     While the use of carbon dioxide as an attractant for bed bugs is known, the use and handling of carbon dioxide presents certain dangers. As a result, there remains a need for a safe, lockable, easily used apparatus for the monitoring of bed bugs. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a bed bug monitor which utilizes carbon dioxide as an attraction for bed bugs. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a bed bug monitor which attracts and traps bed bugs. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a bed bug monitor which includes a circular base and a central housing. The central housing is insulated and encloses a supply of carbon dioxide in block or pellet form. An aperture in the housing releases a plume of carbon dioxide vapor which attracts bed bugs. 
     These other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of a first embodiment of a bed bug monitor made according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an overall perspective view of a second embodiment of a bed bug monitor made according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary plan view of an adhesive disc which is used with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , and 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the adhesive disc of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a first embodiment  10  of the invention which includes a generally circular base  12  having an upwardly sloping portion  14  which is somewhat roughened in surface contour, a downwardly sloping portion  16  which, during use, is coated with talcum powder, and a central housing  18 . The central housing  18  is generally cup-shaped and includes an insulated liner  20  which may be made of styrofoam insulation, or conventional double walled construction. The styrofoam insulation liner  20  includes a cavity  22  which contains carbon dioxide in the form of a block  24  or in the form of pellets. A styrofoam cover  26  which includes a relatively small diameter aperture  28  covers the carbon dioxide  24 . 
     The diameter of the aperture  28  is extremely small relative to the thickness “T” of the cover, resulting in a controlled and measured release of CO 2  vapor out through the narrow passage  40 . 
     A cover  32  is connected to the housing  18  by a hinge  34  and a lock  36 . The lock  36  prevents unauthorized access to the CO 2 . 
     Bed bugs are attracted to the apparatus by the plume of CO 2 released through the aperture  28 . The roughened surface  14  allows the bed bugs to climb the upwardly sloped surface  14 . The bed bugs drop into the central area  30 . Talcum powder on surface  16  creates a slippery surface which prevents the bed bugs from climbing out. 
     The apparatus  10  thus allows a user to easily inspect the central area  30  for the presence of bed bugs. 
       FIGS. 3-6  show a second embodiment of the invention  100 . In the embodiment  100  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the central housing  18 , the styrofoam liner  20  and the cover  32  are the same as has been previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The circular base  102  has a flat portion  104  which surrounds the central housing  18  and which has an upwardly and inwardly curved peripheral rim  106 . 
     A circular glue board  108  is provided as is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The glue board  108  has a cardboard base  110 , an adhesive layer  112  and a release layer  114 . The glue board is proportioned to allow a user to snap the glue board  108  past the inner edge  116  of the rim  106 . The user can then remove the release layer  114 , thus exposing the adhesive layer. 
     Bed bugs are attracted by a plume of CO 2  as previously described. The bed bugs climb over the rim  106  and fall onto the adhesive layer  112  and are trapped. 
     The user can easily inspect the apparatus for the presence of bed bugs which are trapped by the adhesive layer  112 . The glue board  108  may be removed and replaced with a like item to permit re-use of the apparatus. 
     Carbon dioxide may be replenished by unlocking the cover  32 . The locked cover  32  prevents unauthorized and potentially dangerous contact with carbon dioxide. 
     The foregoing specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth in the specification herein are for illustrative purposes only. Various deviations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention, without departing from a main theme thereof.