Abstract: An animal trap features entrance encouraging mechanism for urging an animal into an enclosure of the trap. The mechanism features a pushing unit pivotally supported outside the interior space of the enclosure adjacent an access-way that opens into same. The pushing unit is pivotal about an axis generally parallel to a plane of the access-way for movement between a withdrawn position in which the access-way is unobstructed and a working position in which the pushing unit substantially obstructs the access-way. An actuator coupled to the pushing unit is triggered by an animal detection device at an approach area outside the enclosure within a travel path followed by the pushing unit, whereby the pushing unit urges the animal toward and through the access-way into the interior space of the enclosure. A one way gate prevents exit of the trapped animal after return of the pushing unit to the withdrawn position.

Abstract: A reporting system for collecting, communicating and analyzing information from a plurality of pest monitoring locations is disclosed. The monitored locations include activity sensing pest devices. These devices can include traps and/or passive and active monitoring devices not having a trapping or killing functionality. While traps may constitute the majority of activity sensing pest devices in a given pest control program, devices which only monitor pest activity may be preferred in some locations and applications. The system includes automatic reporting from the plurality of activity sensing pest devices and also includes physical inspection data. Preferably an automatic real-time communication system is used, with the preferred communication system being a radio-frequency (RF) or other over-the-air system. However, hardwired systems, use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as an interim data carrier, and other technologies may also be employed.

Abstract: A rodent trap includes a box having one or more entrance tubes provided therein. The entrance tubes are in communication with a mouse hole in the side wall of the box. Within each tube is a tilt ramp that tilts in response to a weight of 4 grams at a distance of one and 5/16 inches from the pivot axis to the tilt ramp.

Abstract: An upper bucket has a closed top, an open bottom and a side wall. A lower opening is cut into the side wall of the upper bucket. The lower opening has a lower slit at a lower extent of the side wall. The lower opening has an arcuate slit. The slit extends upwardly from the lower slit. A flat, generally circular plate has laterally extending pivot pins. Pivot apertures extend through the upper bucket at diametrically opposed locations adjacent to the lower slot. The pivot apertures rotatably receive the pivot pins for effecting movement of the plate between a horizontal orientation and a pivoted orientation.

Abstract: A live animal trap including an enclosure having an open end; a door for covering the forward opening; a hinge for door motions between first and second positions, the door covering the opening in the first position and opening the enclosure in the second position, the door pivoting toward the first position upon enclosure righting and upon inversion counter-pivoting to the second position; a slide shaft; a slide sleeve facilitating slide shaft motions between third and fourth positions, the slide shaft holding the door open while in the third position, the slide shaft releasing the door while in the fourth position, the slide shaft sliding toward the third position upon down tilting the enclosure and sliding toward the fourth position upon up tilting the enclosure; and having an animal contact member attached to the slide shaft's rearward rear end.

Abstract: A vermin trap including a movable path between the trap entrance and the bait, and a sensor adjacent the movable path for detecting vermin presence on the path. When a vermin detection signal is sent to a controller, the controller causes a movable clamping member to trap the vermin for electrocution. Also provided are methods for the path to rotate and/or pivot, thereby dislodging the electrocuted vermin into a containment region. Methods for electrocuting vermin are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rodent trap comprises a pail having an upright side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall to an open top end of the pail. A rotating body is supported for rotation at the open top end of the pail. Typically a ramp provides rodent access to bait on the rotating body. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of integrally moulded mounting grooves on an inner surface of the side wall retain opposing ends of a shaft of the rotating body such that the shaft is slidably removable from the grooves through the open top end of the pail, and the outer surface of the rotating body includes at least one groove formed therein so as to be arranged to receive and retain bait therein.

Abstract: A rodent trap for use with a vessel suitable for containing a rodent is disclosed. The rodent trap includes a bait holder assembly for bridging the top opening of the vessel. The bait holder assembly includes an inner cylinder with an outer diameter, a pair of outer cylinders positioned in telescoping fashion on opposite ends of the inner cylinder, and a rotating cylinder. Each of the outer cylinders has an outer diameter. The outer, the inner and the rotating cylinders share an axis, and the rotating cylinder has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the outer cylinders so that the rotating cylinder is freely rotatable on the outer cylinders on the axis. Paddles for treating with rodent bait are secured for rotation to the rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A mouse or rodent trap including a housing having an elongated rotatable paddle member therein and an insert within the confines of the trap housing. A trigger assembly engages the paddle member and releases the paddle member for rotation when the trigger assembly is engaged by the mouse or rodent entering the housing. The mouse or rodent is then swept into the insert which is then closed and removed.

Abstract: A mouse or rodent trap includes a housing having an elongated rotatable paddle member therein. A trigger assembly engages the paddle member and releases the paddle member for rotation when the trigger assembly is engaged by a mouse or rodent entering the housing. The trigger assembly is formed completely of plastic, and is snapped together during assembly. An anti-backspin mechanism permits the rotatable paddle member to rotate in one direction but prevents rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A mouse or rodent trap includes a housing having an elongated rotatable paddle member therein. A trigger assembly engages the paddle member and releases the paddle member for rotation when the trigger assembly is engaged by a mouse or rodent entering the housing. The trigger assembly is formed completely of plastic, and is snapped together during assembly.

Abstract: A trap for catching animals like rats, mice and similar comprises an entrance compartment (3), a detection unit (7), an activator (8) a door (4) and a unit (2) with confinement chamber. The confinement chamber may be filled with carbon dioxide in order to kill the animals. According to the invention, activation of the door means is inhibited until a counted has counted a predetermined number of visits. Hereby the animals are allowed to gain a certain familiarity with the trap, which makes it considerably more effective. The invention also provides a method for the trapping of animal.

Abstract: A rodent trap which includes a central housing interior into which a rodent is lured by bait and enters on a rodent entry ramp and inside which is located a rotating trap door that is operated by a high speed DC motor which is actuated by an infrared sensor positioned inside the housing, the motor is engaged to rotate the trap door and timed by a cam switch to return to a closed position and ready to operate for the entry of the next rodent. When the rodent falls through the trap door, it falls into a rodent box which is received by an insertion in the housing lower section and which includes a spring biased sliding cover that automatically slides to an opened position when the box is inserted into the housing and automatically closes when removed from the housing. The rodent box also includes a rodent presence indicator that is actuated by a weight activated switch located on the bottom surface of the rodent box and indicates to the user if a rodent or rodents are in the box.

Abstract: A mercury drop arrangement tests electrochemically a sample solution, in a horizontal or vertical orientation, employing mercury which is delivered from a mercury reservoir to the test solution via a valve and mercury capillary tube. The mercury is valved to deliver one drop of mercury to the end of the capillary tube which is immersed in the sample solution. An electrochemical test of the sample solution can be performed when the mercury drop is in place, and if the mercury drop is not in place, the mercury in the capillary tube forms a microelectrode. The mercury capillary tube can easily be removed for replacement or cleaning when the valve is closed. Closing of the valve produces electrical isolation of the reservoir contents from the mercury in the mercury capillary tube, including the mercury drop itself. Such electrical isolation from the mercury reservoir precludes electrical noise generated in the reservoir from contaminating the voltammetric data.

Abstract: An automatic trap for catching cockroach independently of the size, volume or weight thereof, comprising a box with cockroach collecting cavity having an upper surface with a trap opening, at least two separate coplanar plates being provided to close said trap opening in a close position. Each plate has an electrical conducting portion connected to a control circuit which, in turn, is connected to a driving mechanism capable of being actuated to move the plates away from each other into an open position for uncovering the trap opening and providing access to the cockroach collecting cavity. When a cockroach simultaneously touches the electrical conducting portions of the plates, the portions are put into electrical contact because of the conductivity provided by the cockroach body, so that the driving mechanism is excited by the control circuit to move the plates to their open position.

Abstract: A trap is provided for rodents, such as mice, rats and similar small animals, which consists of a cabinet having an upper entrance, to allow the rodents to enter and a lower chamber to retain the rodents. A platform is provided having a first end and a second end. A component is for pivotally mounting the platform across its center between the first end and the second end within the cabinet. A structure is for maintaining the platform in a normally horizontal position, with its first end level with the upper entrance of the cabinet. A bait bag is suspended in the cabinet directly above the second end of the platform, opposite from the upper entrance to attract the rodents onto the second end of the platform. An apparatus activated by the rodents at the bait bag, is for pivoting the second end of the platform downwardly, so that the rodents will drop into the lower chamber of the cabinet and be retained therein.

Abstract: A trap for earthworms which comprises a capture chamber having a bottom, inwardly sloping sidewalls and pivotal louvers defining a horizontal top of the capture chamber. Earthworms leave their burrows at night, or when the burrows are soaked with water, and crawl onto the pivotal louvers which rotate, causing the earthworms to fall into the capture chamber. A canopy may be provided over the trap to shelter it from rain or water sprinklers.

Abstract: An air-tight vermin trap includes a lower section containing a disinfectant liquid, an upper section sealingly mounted on the lower section and a cover sealingly covering the upper section. The upper section defines an entrance opening having a cover flap which can sealingly close the entrance opening. A drop floor which is activated by an electromechanical system operates to drop a vermin into the lower section upon actuation of a sensor flap by the vermin. Vermin access elements extend upwardly along the lower section and the upper section to the entrance body.

Abstract: A compact industrial animal trap is provided with a gas injector to effectively, continually and rapidly exterminate rodents and other animal pests with carbon dioxide or other gases in a reliable, efficient and safe manner. The animal trap has a disposal chamber and an elongated entrance chamber. In the preferred form, the entrance chamber has a vertically pivotable floor to lift and carry the animal from the entrance chamber into the disposal chamber.

Abstract: An automatic rat killing device includes a box having an opening at its top and a stairway leading to its top. A pair of closure plates are pivotally mounted at their one ends on the box for movement between horizontal positions where the two closure plates are mated together at their other ends to close the opening and vertical positions where the closure plates are separated apart to open the opening. A solenoid is mounted on the box and has a stop lever normally engaged with the closure plates to hold them in their horizontal positions. A container holding a viscous liquid is removably accommodated within the box. A detector generates a detecting signal when a rat touches a bait. The solenoid is energized to move the stop lever out of engagement with the closure member so that the closure plates are moved to their vertical positions, thereby causing the rat to fall into the viscous liquid.

Abstract: An animal trap comprising a housing having pivotally mounted tilting doors and a receptacle to which the housing mounts. The housing includes top, bottom and side walls that form a passage extending between two open ends of the housing. Formed intermediate of the ends is an aperture in which the tilting doors are mounted, the aperture opening into the receptacle. The housing and receptacle are configured to be placed in the ground in juxtaposed relation to an exterior wall or foundation of a building and are constructed so as to remain relatively dry even in inclement weather conditions.