A device (10) for determining bedbug activity comprises a housing (11) with openings (13), an insect detection zone (42) and pathways through the housing (11) that are traversing the insect detection zone (42). The device (10) has a light emitter (83) configured to direct light through the insect detection zone (42), an optical sensor (84) and a control unit. The light emitter (83) and re) the optical sensor (84) are arranged at a proximal end (43) of the insect detection zone (42) and a reflective surface is arranged at a distal end (44) of the insect detection zone (42). The optical sensor (84) is configured to receive light from the light emitter (83) via the reflective surface. The control unit controls the light emitter (83), the optical sensor (84) and the detection of bedbugs passing through the insect detection zone (42). A method for detection of bedbugs are presented.

An arthropod trapping device comprising a suspension element, an engagement section including an extension that extends from the suspension element, the engagement section including an engagement element with a pest immobilization surface, wherein externally facing surfaces of the engagement element have a sticky contact substance to form the pest immobilization surface, wherein all corners, faces, and edges of the externally facing surfaces of the engagement element have the sticky contact substance, a contact lead segment formed from fibers and extending from the extension near an end of the pest immobilization surface, the contact lead segment comprising a first end and a second end, where only the first end of the contact lead segment is adjacent the pest immobilization surface, where the contact lead segment is devoid of the sticky contact substance, and where the contact lead segment forms a pest pathway to the pest immobilization surface.

An arthropod trapping device comprising a suspension element, an engagement section including an extension that extends from the suspension element, the engagement section including an engagement element with a pest immobilization surface, wherein externally facing surfaces of the engagement element have a sticky contact substance to form the pest immobilization surface, wherein all corners, faces, and edges of the externally facing surfaces of the engagement element have the sticky contact substance, a contact lead segment formed from fibers and extending from the extension near an end of the pest immobilization surface, the contact lead segment comprising a first end and a second end, where only the first end of the contact lead segment is adjacent the pest immobilization surface, where the contact lead segment is devoid of the sticky contact substance, and where the contact lead segment forms a pest pathway to the pest immobilization surface.

In an aspect, a pest control system is provided, and includes at least one monitoring device and a control system. The at least one monitoring devices includes sensing circuitry, communication circuitry and a plurality of possible states which correspond to a plurality of actions of a target species. The sensing circuitry detects states from the plurality of possible states and the communication circuitry transmits at least one dataset relating to the detected states. The control system includes at least one processor and at least one memory, where the memory stores the at least one dataset transmitted from the at least one monitoring device as a stored dataset and the memory has instructions stored therein which are executable by the at least one processor for identifying a change in the actions of the target species of pest based on the at least one stored dataset.

In an aspect, a pest control system is provided, and includes at least one monitoring device and a control system. The at least one monitoring devices includes sensing circuitry, communication circuitry and a plurality of possible states which correspond to a plurality of actions of a target species. The sensing circuitry detects states from the plurality of possible states and the communication circuitry transmits at least one dataset relating to the detected states. The control system includes at least one processor and at least one memory, where the memory stores the at least one dataset transmitted from the at least one monitoring device as a stored dataset and the memory has instructions stored therein which are executable by the at least one processor for identifying a change in the actions of the target species of pest based on the at least one stored dataset.

The present invention relates, in part, to systems configured to obtain samples from an organism in an autonomous manner. Such systems can employ a cartridge configured to provide bait to attract an organism, as well as channels to store and/or test samples obtained from the organism.

A system for tracking airborne organisms includes an imager, a backlight source (such as a retroreflective surface) in view of the imager, and a processor configured to analyze one or more images captured by the processor to identify a biological property of an organism.

A device, system, and method of controlling pests are disclosed. The system includes an active infrared sensor including infrared emitters and photodetectors. The active infrared sensor is configured to determine an active infrared signature for a monitored space, determine whether the active infrared signature is outside a predetermined window in relation to a baseline signature, and activate a controller in response to determining that the active infrared signature is outside the window. The controller is configured to perform a pest control action in response to activation. The pest control action may include notifying a remote system. The active infrared sensor may be included in a housing having a first opening, a second opening, and a passage sized to receive an insect. The active infrared sensor may be coupled to the housing such that the active infrared sensor is positioned to illuminate part of the passage.

A device, system, and method of controlling pests are disclosed. The system includes an active infrared sensor including infrared emitters and photodetectors. The active infrared sensor is configured to determine an active infrared signature for a monitored space, determine whether the active infrared signature is outside a predetermined window in relation to a baseline signature, and activate a controller in response to determining that the active infrared signature is outside the window. The controller is configured to perform a pest control action in response to activation. The pest control action may include notifying a remote system. The active infrared sensor may be included in a housing having a first opening, a second opening, and a passage sized to receive an insect. The active infrared sensor may be coupled to the housing such that the active infrared sensor is positioned to illuminate part of the passage.

Composite materials that are palatable to a wood-destroying pest species and also pesticidal to the pest species can be used in pest control devices and can be used as wood substitutes for structural components, which are resistant to destruction by wood-destroying pests. The composite materials include a thermoplastic polymer, a food material for the pest and a pesticide. The composite material is formed by mixing a thermoplastic polymer, wood fragments or other cellulosic materials and a quantity of pesticide, and thereafter creating a molten material within a mixer, compounder, extruder or the like. The molten material is extruded or molded to form the desired shape.