Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an ampoule for the storage and dispersion of a volatile liquid comprised of (a) an outer shell composed of an impermeable material and defining at least one opening; (b) a porous diffusion member defining an internal reservoir positioned inside said outer shell; (c) a volatile liquid contained within such internal reservoir; and (d) a film member adhered to the outer shell and covering the at least one opening; wherein the film member is disposed such that an air space is present between the porous diffusion member and the film member; and wherein the porous diffusion member is configured such that molecules of the volatile liquid can only enter into the air space via diffusion through the porous diffusion member. Such ampoules are particularly suited for the storage and dispersion of organic chemicals useful as bed bug attractants, such as a C8-C12 alkane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bed bug capturing device comprising: (a) a bed bug attractant element comprising (i) a heavier than air organic chemical which attracts bed bugs; and (ii) a means for producing air flow such that the air movement from the device has a face velocity of between about 5 and about 50 ml/cm2/min; and (b) a trap element. Preferably, such means of producing air flow is a fan.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an ampoule for the storage and dispersion of a volatile liquid comprised of (a) an outer shell composed of an impermeable material and defining at least one opening; (b) a porous diffusion member defining an internal reservoir positioned inside said outer shell; (c) a volatile liquid contained within such internal reservoir; and (d) a film member adhered to said outer shell and covering said at least one opening; wherein said film member is disposed such that an air space is present between said porous diffusion member and said film member; and wherein said porous diffusion member is configured such that molecules of the volatile liquid can only enter into said air space via diffusion through said porous diffusion member. Such ampoules are particularly suited for the storage and dispersion of organic chemicals useful as bed bug attractants, especially where such attractants are formulated in a highly volatile liquid, such as a C8-C12 alkane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bed bug capturing device comprising: (a) a bed bug attractant element; and (b) a deadfall capturing element comprising at least one pathway comprising: (i) an upwardly sloped segment; (ii) a downwardly sloped segment having an outer portion; and (iii) a deadfall trap area: characterized in that the upwardly sloped segment and at least the outer portion of the downwardly sloped segment possesses an average surface roughness of at least about 2.5 micrometers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising an unsaturated aldehyde component and an organic acid component which is a powerful bed bug attractant when volatilized and released at very low concentrations. This attractant can be used to lure bed bugs to a location in which the bed bugs can be detected, monitored and/or trapped.