Abstract: A bait rack including a mounting leg and a bait support portion is provided. The mounting leg has a bottom free edge and at least one mounting slot formed therein. The bait support portion includes an intermediate portion, an upward extending portion and a trough portion. The intermediate portion is connected to the mounting leg by a bent region formed between the mounting leg and the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion extends relative to the mounting leg in a non-parallel and non-perpendicular manner. The trough portion connects and is interposed between the upward extending portion and the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion, trough portion and upward extending panel portion forming a bait holding trough therebetween. A plurality of slots provide access to the bait holding trough from a location external of the bait holding trough. A bait station including the bait rack is also provided.

Abstract: A bait station and an associated insert are provided. The bait station includes a housing that incorporates a floor member with a plurality of openings in the same that allow pieces of bait and other debris to fall through the openings of the floor member. The insert includes a tray and the floor member which together may be inserted as a unit into the housing of the bait station.

Abstract: A bait rack is provided. The bait rack includes a bait support portion defining an open-topped bait pocket and an access aperture configured to provide access to the bait pocket from below the bait support portion. The bait rack includes a base configured to support the bait support portion above a work surface.

Abstract: An electronic pest monitoring system includes an electronic pest monitoring device which may be used in combination with or separate from a bait box. The electronic pest monitoring device is adapted to be removably attached to a bait box. The electronic pest monitoring device includes a pest detector, such as a passive IR detector, which provides a pest detection signal in response to the presence of a pest. A processor coupled to the pest detector includes a real-time clock, and stores in memory a time and date of occurrence of the pest detection signal and a duration of the presence of the pest. Such pest detection event information may be transmitted from the electronic pest monitoring device over a wireless communications channel, such as an IR communications channel, to a hand-held computer unit for display and analysis.

Abstract: A process for liquid application of a dry microbial preparation to seeds is described wherein superior survival is obtained upon drying of the preparation on the seeds. The process for coating seeds with dry, dormant microorganisms according to the invention includes an initial step of forming the dry, dormant microorganisms. Seeds are then coated with a composition comprising the dry, dormant microorganisms, water, and an additive effective for enhancing survival of the microorganisms during exposure to the water used in the coating and subsequent drying process.

Abstract: A process for producing a dried bacterial agricultural product having superior viability initially involves culturing (fermenting) a species of microorganism in a growth medium to form a culture. The culture containing the microorganism plus the growth medium is then mixed with a carrier. The resulting mixture is incubated for at least one day to increase the microorganism count in the mixture. The mixture is then air dried slowly for at least about one day so the moisture level in the microorganisms is gradually reduced to form the dried composition. The process may further include steps of milling and then coating seeds with the composition. An inoculant composition according to the invention, which may be made by the foregoing process, consists essentially of a clay carrier and at least 10.sup.9 viable bacteria per gram of the composition. Compositions containing biocidal microbes which combat insects, fungi or the like, and other useful microbes, such as growth promoting bacteria, may also be prepared.

Abstract: A rodenticide bait block has a keyhole-shaped groove which can be formed by extrusion. A fastener, such as a nail, can be passed through the enlarged inner end of the groove and used to fasten the bait block to a surface. Various configurations are used for the external surface of the bait block to provide additional biting edges.

Abstract: The nodulation ability and/or competition characteristics of strains of Rhizobium japonicum is enhanced by incubating the strains in a nodulation and/or competitive enhancing effective amount of one or more soybean lectins, or in composition comprising a nodulation and/or competitiveness enhancing effective amount of such lectins such as soybean seed exudate. An inoculum can be prepared containing a carrier, Rhizobium japonicum and lectin.