Abstract: A base has a rodent inlet opening and interior walls which define a rodent runway which communicates with an interior compartment. A downwardly opening compartment with a cover defines a case for receiving a sensor module mounted beneath a threshold at the entry of the rodent runway to the interior compartment. Portions of the base bottom wall and the cover define a perimeter double lip on one of the base bottom wall and the cover which extends vertically beneath the compartment and is configured to extend around the sensor module and on the other of the base bottom wall and the cover there is a vertically protruding peripheral bead which extends between the perimeter double lip. The case encloses the sensor module and protects it from exposure to moisture, dirt, and rodent waste within the base interior.

Abstract: A rodent trap has a base with a rodent inlet opening and interior walls which define a rodent runway which communicates with a trap interior compartment. A downwardly opening compartment with a cover defines a case which receives a sensor module mounted beneath a threshold at the entry of the rodent runway to the trap interior compartment. The module has a capacitance sensor which detects the passage of a rodent into the interior compartment, and has a programmable controller which logs each rodent entry. The module has a Bluetooth transmitter which allows the module to communicate with a pest control operator to exchange the logged information. The case encloses the sensor module and protects it from exposure to moisture, dirt, and rodent waste within the trap interior.

Abstract: A mechanical rodent trap has a jaw mounted to a base, with a trigger therebetween which is activated by the incidence of a rodent. An acceleration sensor is mounted in a case in the base in a sensor module that logs and transmit a signal indicating activation of the trap. Alternatively a magnet holder secures a magnet to the trigger, and a Hall effect sensor is used in the sensor module. The sensor modules are sealed within a compartment formed with the base beneath the trigger and closed by a cover.

Abstract: A tray for a bait station, the tray for holding rodent bait or a rodent trap, where the rodent bait station has a base with a hinged cover which is lockable to the base to define an interior volume which can receive a ballast weight of three to twenty-four pounds which biases a floor of the base against a support surface. The station has at least two rodent access openings and upward leading ramps, the ramps leading to and being overlain by a landing which forms a portion of the tray and which allows a rodent to pass onto a tray proper which contains the bait or trap. The opening, ramps, and landing are such that a rodent can move freely within the interior volume so as to access the bait or rodent trap on the tray.

Abstract: A rodent bait station has an electronic sensor module protected within a sealed receptacle beneath a tray bottom wall. A threshold is defined by walls on the upper side of the tray. A rodent must pass over the threshold to reading a feeding portion of the tray which supports rodent bait. The sensor module has a capacitance sensor urged against the bottom wall of the tray and which detects the passing of a rodent into the feeding area. The incidence of the rodent is logged and made available to a device exterior of the tray.

Abstract: A rodent bait station has a base with a hinged cover which is lockable to the base to define an interior volume which can receive a ballast weight of three to twenty-four pounds which biases a floor of the base against a support surface. At least one rodent access opening in the bait station allows a rodent to pass into the interior volume. A bait or a rodent trap is positioned within the interior volume such that a rodent can move freely within the interior volume so as to access the bait or rodent trap.

Abstract: A rodent bait station has a base with a hinged cover which is lockable to the base to define an interior volume which receives a ballast weight of three to twenty-four pounds which biases a floor of the base against a support surface. At least one rodent access opening in the bait station allows a rodent to pass in to the interior volume. A bait or a rodent trap is positioned within the interior volume such that a rodent can move freely within the interior volume so as to access the bait or rodent trap.

Abstract: A rodent bait station has a base with a hinged cover which is lockable to the base to define an interior volume which receives a ballast weight of three to twenty-four pounds which biases a floor of the base against a support surface. At least one rodent access opening in the bait station allows a rodent to pass in to the interior volume. A bait or a rodent trap is positioned within the interior volume such that a rodent can move freely within the interior volume so as to access the bait or rodent trap.

Abstract: An insect toxic bait dispenser has a top with a downwardly opening compartments in which toxic bait fluids may be retained by an underlying foil barrier. The top is supported on a base with posts positioned beneath the barrier. Base prongs extend into a top shaft with ledges at different heights, preventing part separation when the barrier is intact above the posts, and, when the top is closed on the base, piercing the foil seal and dispensing liquids into fluid retaining members held in base pockets. To use, a peripheral tear strip is removed from the base, permitting the top to descend on the base causing the posts to puncture the seal, compressing the fluid retaining members against the barrier to receive and dispense toxic bait liquid while retarding the rate of liquid evaporation. The top may be hinged to the base, or urged downwardly by a threaded cap.

Abstract: An insect toxic bait dispenser has a top with multiple downwardly opening compartments in which toxic bait fluids may be retained by an underlying foil barrier. The top is supported on a base with posts positioned beneath the barrier. Base prongs extend into a top shaft with ledges at different heights, preventing part separation when the barrier is intact above the posts, and, when the top is closed on the base, piercing the foil seal and dispensing liquids into fluid retaining members held in base pockets. To use, a peripheral tear strip is removed from the base, permitting the top to descend on the base causing the posts to puncture the seal, compressing the fluid retaining members against the barrier to receive and dispense toxic bait liquid while retarding the rate of liquid evaporation. The top may be hinged to the base, or urged downwardly by a threaded cap.

Abstract: A rodent bait station has a base with a hinged cover. A ballast weight is received within the base. A removable tray with compartments for bait or mechanical traps overlies the ballast weight. The tray has a landing which is positioned between two ramps molded into the base which extend from rodent access openings at floor level. A latching arrangement between the base and the lid closes the bait station, and may be opened by a removable key. The key may be provided with an optional actuation bar, which allows the key to be converted to a latch only mechanism for opening the bait station.

Abstract: A rodent trap covered base defines an enclosed interior accessible through a sliding plastic tunnel defining a passageway for rodents into the interior. The tunnel has a projecting strike member, and is biased by an underlying spring to a retracted position. A trigger engaging member extends from the tunnel to be retained by a catch on a trigger mounted to the base. When a rodent passes through the tunnel into the base interior, it is directed by barriers towards a rodent attracting bait. To reach the bait, the rodent must press against a pivotably mounted trigger, thereby dislodging the trigger from the trigger engaging member which releases the tunnel to be driven by the spring to retract along parallel tracks to bring the strike plate forcibly against the rodent within the trap, usually killing it, and closing the trap, which is then presented covered within the trap for disposal.

Abstract: A bait station is mounted to a base. The bait station has the general shape of a box with a locking hinged lid. The box has side walls with openings so that rodents can enter into the box and gain access to poison bait or a mechanical trap. The base has a lower tray for receiving a weight. The bait station is releasably mounted to the base by a locking mechanism employing resilient finger which pass between a shroud on a side wall of the box to engage with portions of the wall forming an opening which is partly covered by the shroud so the fingers can be unlocked only by gaining access to the interior of the bait station box.

Abstract: A mole trap has a tough plastic base with downwardly extending fixed blades. Movable plastic blades are pivotably connected to the base and urged into a sprung condition by springs. A two-segment lever extends between the base and a catch which is pivotably mounted to the base. A trigger extends through a central opening in the catch and has a post which protrudes beneath the catch where it can be actuated by the targeted mole. Operation of the trigger post causes the lever to release from its engagement with the catch so that the movable blades close on and strike the mole positioned beneath the trap. The trigger has a release tab extending from the lever, allowing convenient release from the set position, and an upwardly protruding set arm allowing trigger depression from a point exterior to the handle into its desired set configuration.

Abstract: A bait station system has a bait station mounted to a base. The bait station has the general shape of a box with a locking hinged lid. The box has side walls with openings so that rodents can enter into the box and gain access to poison bait or a mechanical trap. The base has a lower tray for receiving a weight. The lower tray has a lower surface which may be glued, attached by a screw, bolt, or earth anchor to a planar surface. The bait station is releasably mounted to the base by a locking mechanism which can be unlocked only by gaining access to the interior of the box forming the bait station.

Abstract: A mole trap has a tough plastic base with downwardly extending fixed blades. Movable plastic blades are pivotably connected to the base and urged into a sprung condition by springs. A two-segment lever extends between the base and a catch which is pivotably mounted to the base. A trigger extends through a central opening in the catch and has a post which protrudes beneath the catch where it can be actuated by the targeted mole. Operation of the trigger post causes the lever to release from its engagement with the catch so that the movable blades close on and strike the mole positioned beneath the trap. The trigger has a release tab extending from the lever, allowing convenient release from the set position, and an upwardly protruding set arm allowing trigger depression from a point exterior to the handle into its desired set configuration.

Abstract: A live catch rodent trap has a tubular housing which is sealed at a far end by a removable end cap. A door is pivotably mounted to a near end of the housing, and alternately permits entrance to the housing through a front opening when the door is propped open, and closes the front opening when the trap is actuated by a rodent passing into housing and past a midpoint of the housing. The housing is pivotably mounted to a shroud which surrounds the rear portion of the housing to prevent inadvertent activation of the trap from the exterior.

Abstract: A molded plastic base has a cylindrical side wall with three rodent access openings to passageways which lead to an internal feeding chamber containing rodent bait, the passageways providing multiple rodent feeding positions at the feeding chamber. A dome-shaped lid has finger recesses permitting the lid to be gripped and rotated with respect to the base. A latch secures the lid, for release without the need for a key. Narrow flanges extend inwardly from the lid to engage beneath outwardly protruding flanges on the upper parts of the base side wall. A portion of the base side wall is resiliently deflectable inwardly such that rotation of the lid causes a cam surface tooth to be depressed by a lid flange. Once past the tooth, the resilient side wall portion returns to its original condition locking removal of the lid until the side wall portion is depressed from the outside.

Abstract: A method of coding stereo audio spectral values first carries out grouping of those values in scale factor bands, with which scale factors are associated. Sections are formed next, each comprising at least one scale factor band. The spectral values are coded within at least one section with a code book assigned to the section, out of a plurality of code books each with a code book number assigned to it, the number of the code book used being transmitted as side information to the coded stereo audio spectral values. At least one additional code book number is provided, which does not refer to a code book but shows information relevant to the section to which it is assigned. A method of decoding stereo audio spectral values which are partly coded by the intensity stereo process and which have side information uses the relevant information, showing the additional code book numbers, to cancel the existing coding of the stereo audio spectral values.