Catch the bugs that ruin summer! Pest eradication and patents

 

 Summer is the peak season for crop growth, but it’s also when pests and diseases thrive the most. Especially in countries like South Korea, where summers are hot and humid, fungal diseases and pests proliferate, severely affecting both daily life and the crops that should be maturing.

Swarms of lovebugs in Gyeyang Mountain, Incheon, South Korea
(source: https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/003/0013339892?sid=102 )

 To counter these issues, various fields are actively developing and deploying patented technologies and devices to eradicate pests. In this issue, we explore innovations in pest control and their related patents.

 Multi-Wavelength Light Emission Devices

 Insects are naturally attracted to light, which is why we often see them gather around streetlights and lamps at night. Leveraging this behavior, many household insect traps already use light to attract bugs. Now, the industry has taken it a step further by developing devices that use multi-wavelength light for pest attraction and extermination.

 Let’s start with a pest-attracting trap. This device consists of a security light and LEDs that emit light preferred by pests, along with a collection unit where the attracted insects are automatically captured.

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KR10-2779162, Multi-wavelength light-emitting trap for attracting pests

 Another device utilizes both cyclone technology and multi-wavelength lighting. According to the patent, this invention includes an intake fan and air inlets to suck insects into a cyclone chamber, combined with multi-wavelength LEDs that attract pests toward the suction area for efficient capture.

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KR10-2823302, Apparatus for removing bugs using a cyclone and multi-wavelength light

 There’s also a pest-attracting lamp that uses electric shock and adhesive sheets. When insects are drawn to the light, they stick to the adhesive sheet and are electrocuted. The lamp features multiple heating wires that silently kill insects with heat and hygienically incinerate their remains.

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KR10-2795037, Pest attracting light

In-Vehicle Pest Control Devices

 Pests like mosquitoes don’t just invade our homes and streets—they can also enter our cars. Due to their small size, they can easily slip into tight spaces like the engine room.

 To combat this, a technology uses cameras to detect and eliminate pests inside vehicles. This invention involves a camera installed inside the car to detect pest movement. Once a pest is detected, a control unit activates a sprayer or fumigator. The pest control device operates for a set period and reactivates after one hour if pests are detected again via the camera.

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KR10-2024-0078448, Pest extermination apparatus and method for vehicle

 Another device uses ultrasound to repel mosquitoes in the car. This system actively adjusts the output and sensitivity of ultrasonic waves to emit sound frequencies that mosquitoes and other pests dislike, effectively driving them away.

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KR10-2025-0015500, Mosquito repellent apparatus and method for operating the same

From Robot Vacuums to Labyrinth Traps: Creative Technologies

 The devices mentioned so far may already be familiar or even in use today. But some technologies take a more creative approach.

 Have you ever thought of using a robot vacuum to get rid of pests? Robot vacuums, which clean hard-to-reach corners, can now detect hidden pests and even spray insecticide directly. Linked with a mobile app, they can notify the user of the pest's location and type in real-time.

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KR10-2024-0154412, Pest control system including robot cleaner and pest control method

 Another clever invention uses a maze-like trap. This device creates a compartmentalized labyrinth that traps insect larvae. Once inside, they can’t escape and eventually die due to oxygen deprivation. It’s particularly effective against mosquito larvae and can be installed in water containers, flower pots, manholes—essentially any moist environment.

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KR10-2024-0152827, Labyrinth for capturing and destroying mosquito larvae

Smart Tech vs. Pests: The New Paradigm

With the scorching summer heat already making us irritable, pests only add to the misery. But with the rise of smart technologies and patented devices, we’re seeing a shift in how we prevent and deal with pest outbreaks. Hopefully, these smart solutions will help us enjoy a more comfortable and pest-free summer!

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