Abstract: Disclosed herein is two-stage mat for dispensing volatile materials. The mat is comprised of two materials varying either in thickness, thermal conductivity and/or porosity (and coated with like volatile material), or coated with volatile materials having different vaporization pressures. In either configuration, the mat provides for both an instant burst of volatile and then a sustained vaporization of volatile. Methods of using such mats are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are rope-like fumigants. The rope-like fumigants are sufficiently sturdy thick, or tightly twisted or braided that they can be generally vertically positioned without drooping at their top, even though they are considerably elongated. The rope-like fumigants are loaded with an insecticide, fragrance, or the like, and lit from the top. Very low cost materials such as jute, hemp, or the like form the base material for the fumigant. A holder is disclosed which retains the rope-like fumigant in a vertical position from its lower portion, while reducing the incidence of the fumigant's prematurely extinguishing. A method of controlling insects by use of the fumigant is also disclosed.

Abstract: A burnable coil holder such as a mosquito coil holder has a base member with a plurality of non-metallic support peaks and a higher central metal support spade. The spade supports the burnable coil from a single point under normal circumstances. The non-metallic support peaks provide support if the coil sags during use. The support peaks are positioned in a cross or spiral array around the spade. The spade has teeth to grip the coil, a shoulder to support the coil, and spaced legs to permit easy insertion of the spade into the base member.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a volatile substance includes a gas-fueled, portable heat source. The device includes a catalyst support structure to flamelessly combust liquid or gaseous fuel and thereby provide a lower temperature heat source than a heat source that combusts fuel via flame. The fuel is ignited inside the catalytic support structure by a spark electrode. A spark jumps from the electrode to an interior surface of the structure and ignites the fuel inside the structure, causing a flame to propagate. The flame heats the catalytic structure to an activation temperature, after which the fuel is combusted flamelessly on the surface of the catalytic structure. The device includes a heating plate for heating the volatile substance and for receiving heat from the catalytic structure. A heat box substantially surrounds the catalytic structure and heating plate. The heat box has a window through which volatile substances released from the heating plate may escape.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a volatile substance includes a gas-fueled, portable heat source. The heat source has a combustion nozzle capable of supporting a flame. The device includes a sole plate for heating the volatile substance and heat transfer means for enclosing the combustion nozzle and transferring heat from the flame to the sole plate. A heat box substantially surrounds the heat transfer means and sole plate. The heat box has a window through which volatile substances released from the sole plate may escape. The device also has a housing within which the heat box is held in spaced relation from the housing, the housing having a housing window adjacent to the heat box window. By use of the device, a flame at the combustion nozzle heats the sole plate to volatilize a volatile substance placed thereon, which may then escape into the atmosphere through the heat box window, with the housing remaining cool.

Abstract: A method for control of insects from the family Vespidae is disclosed. It has been discovered that (Z)-9-tricosene, (Z)-9-heneicosene and the saturated hydrocarbons tricosane and tridecane act as kairomones for the family Vespidae to locate its prey, the house fly. By incorporating these materials as attractants in a proteinaceous matrix having a delayed toxicant, control over colonies of Vespidae may be achieved.

Abstract: A method of trapping common houseflies and many other flying insects is disclosed. The method utilizes a device comprising an upright array of parallel exposed conductors dimensioned and spaced such that alighting houseflies virtually have to alight in contact with two such conductors, means to periodically apply opposing pulsating charges to adjacent pairs of such conductors which causes such houseflies to dive downwardly toward an adhesive-covered sheet or other means to receive and hold insects diving from the array. The charges are about 25 to 40 volts peak and have a frequency of about 60 to 600 Hz. Applying such charges as a square wave is very hightly preferred.

Abstract: An improved trap for common houseflies and many other flying insects. The device has an upright array of parallel exposed conductors dimensioned and spaced such that alighting houseflies virtually have to alight in contact with two such conductors, means to periodically apply opposing pulsating charges to adjacent pairs of such conductors which causes such houseflies to dive downwardly toward an adhesive-covered sheet or other means to receive and hold insects diving from the array. The charges are about 25 to 40 volts peak and have a frequency of about 60 to 600 Hz. Applying such charges as a square wave is very highly preferred.