The last 4 years I've used about an inch of sand on top and a identical sized cup (without holes on the bottom) to control Fungus Gnats. It usually works very well. For some reason I had a light outbreak all year. Not really THAT bad but bad enough.

Prototype #1 works pretty good. At only 13 watts I can run it 24/7 for about $1.60 a month (at .18 cents a kilowatt hour).

I wonder if I could patent this thing. Off to prototype #2.

Under the green ring

I see the gnats, and I see the rim, and I see the material that looks like filter material, but I don't understand how it works. And what part is using electricity?

I see the gnats, and I see the rim, and I see the material that looks like filter material, but I don't understand how it works. And what part is using electricity?

Did you make this your self or did you buy it?

I made it. I cleaned it out yesterday, I have 30 more in there. I had no idea I had that many, I think I need to update my eyeglass RX :)

How'd you make it and how much did it cost to make it?

I absolutely hate those little @%#$^*&"s!!!  Will never use soil mixtures in the house again without gnatrol from the beginning.

KK,

Short answer:  Yes it is possible you could patent it as long as the legal requirements are met (non-obviousness/novelty/etc.).  I know that isn't very helpful, but I just want to say that it is worth some investigation on your end.  I imagine this could be highly marketable as it appeals to the common homeowner, the hobbyist, the pest control industry, and the agricultural industry.  That is a pretty wide range of potential customers that don't like gnats.  Maybe we will see you on Sharktank! haha In all seriousness, look into it... could be "no", but if it is a yes, then you could be sitting on a gold mine. Since that is the case, I would not disclose any of the details of your design until you look into it.

Here is a true story I'd like to share with you.  I met a man once that retired and had a nice house on the waterfront.  We got to talking and he told me that he came up with an idea, patented it and made about $1 million off of it.  The idea was a simple hot-dog grill roller.  He gave me a free one, as he had a box of them ready to hand out to whomever.  From my understanding, he basically issued license for manufacturing to companies, and sat back as the checks rolled in.  Pretty sweet deal.