Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a nectar container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the nectar container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The float valve includes a float having a frame with a buoyant member mounted thereon, the buoyant member being made of a closed-cell foam.

Abstract: A mesh feed port for a bird feeder comprises a plurality of intersecting members defining a periodic pattern of openings. The openings include a plurality of first openings sized to receive a seed of a first size in a predetermined orientation, a plurality of second openings sized to receive a seed of a second size distinct from the first size in a predetermined orientation, and a plurality of third openings sized to receive a seed of a third size distinct from the first size and the second size in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An insect bait stake comprises a container defining an internal cavity adapted to hold a quantity of liquid bait. The container includes a first housing defining a first portion of the internal cavity, a second housing attached to the first housing and defining a second portion of the internal cavity, and a tab portion adapted to be removed for exposing the internal cavity to the exterior environment. A first anti-crushing element of the container is arranged within the internal cavity and between the first housing and the second housing. The anti-crushing element fixes a distance between the first housing and the second housing in response to a compressive force placed on the container. A passageway is formed by the container and is in communication with the internal cavity on a first end thereof. The passageway extends through at least one of the first housing or the second housing to the tab portion.

Abstract: A bird feeder comprises an inner housing including a seed reservoir having at least one feed port defined therethrough, and an inner base supporting the seed reservoir. An outer housing of the feeder is moveably mounted to the inner housing, and includes a reservoir cover arranged over the seed reservoir and defining at least one feed opening. The outer housing is moveable relative to the inner housing between a first position and a second position. A tension spring is operatively connected between the inner housing and a base of the outer housing for biasing the outer housing into the first position relative to the inner housing.

Abstract: A mono-dose container comprises a housing defining an internal cavity. The housing includes a first sidewall defining a first interior surface of the internal cavity, and a second sidewall defining a second interior surface of the internal cavity at least partially opposing the first interior surface. A first protrusion extends from the first sidewall into the internal cavity. A second protrusion extends from the second sidewall into the internal cavity and in a direction of the first protrusion. The first and second protrusions define complementary surfaces sized to engage one another and limit relative movement between the first and second protrusions in at least two directions.

Abstract: A liquid insect bait system comprises an insect bait container including a housing defining an internal cavity holding a quantity of liquid bait, and an insect trap having an external housing. The housing of the insect trap includes an internal bait reservoir sized to hold bait received from the bait container, and an insect opening formed through the housing and in communication with the bait reservoir. A bait container opening is formed in housing and is sized to receive a portion of a bait holding container in an insertion direction. A portion of the bait container opening is in communication with the bait reservoir.

Abstract: A door hinge mechanism for a live catch wire mesh animal cage trap and a method of mounting a cage trap door to a wire mesh animal cage trap using the door hinge mechanism is provided. The hinge mechanism includes a door mounting portion and a roof mounting portion joined by a body portion. The door mounting portion captures a laterally extending upper edge bar of the door and positions the door relative to a laterally extending wire bar on the roof to couple the door to the trap body and create a hinge axle therebetween. The roof mounting portion, which is spaced rearwardly from the door mounting portion by the body portion, secures the hinge mechanism to the roof of the trap body. When so mounted, the hinge mechanism provides greater trap stiffness at the hinge, improved rigidity of the hinge mechanism and trap door, and reduced friction in the hinge pivot.

Abstract: A poly tape accessory for an electric fence gate handle, the combination of the poly tape accessory and an electric fence gate handle configured to accommodate the poly tape accessory, and a method of securing the poly tape to the accessory is provided. The accessory is electrically conductive and includes a neck and a head with a plurality of slots through which the poly tape is woven to secure the poly tape while retaining adjustability. The neck of the accessory has a locating feature and a locking tab by which the accessory can be removably coupled to an electric fence gate handle through a quarter-turn motion of the accessory relative to the gate handle without the need for any tools.

Abstract: A glue board trap for insects and spiders is provided that includes a reusable housing, a replaceable glue board, and a reusable lure compartment that is mounted to the housing. The lure compartment contains a water-based lure solution for attracting crawling pests that can be replaced as needed.

Abstract: A mesh feed port for a bird feeder comprises a plurality of intersecting members defining a periodic pattern of openings. The openings include a plurality of first openings sized to receive a seed of a first size in a predetermined orientation, a plurality of second openings sized to receive a seed of a second size distinct from the first size in a predetermined orientation, and a plurality of third openings sized to receive a seed of a third size distinct from the first size and the second size in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A receptacle for use with an insect trap comprises a hollow body defining an open upper end for attaching to the insect trap and for receiving insects from the trap, and an open lower end. A floor of the receptacle is mounted to the lower end of the body and is movable between a closed position wherein the floor covers the open lower end, and an open position wherein the lower end is open and exposed to a surrounding environment.

Abstract: A rodent monitoring or killing mechanism includes a housing body having a resistive sensor and a wash down sensor operatively coupled to the resistive sensor. The wash down sensor distinguishes between the presence of water within the housing body and the presence of a rodent according to at least one measurement of resistance from the resistive sensor. The at least one measurement of resistance is created by contact of the resistance sensor with the water or the rodent.

Abstract: An insect control device is provided for controlling insects in a household garbage receptacle used in an outdoor or semi-outdoor environment. The insect control device includes an outer housing with gas-flow apertures therein, a quantity of a gas-releasing insect poison contained within the housing, and an adhesive attaching element for securing the housing to an inner surface of a closed or lidded household garbage receptacle. Gas released by the insect poison flows out of the housing through the gas-flow apertures to permeate the air inside the enclosed garbage containment area and kill insects therein while the adhesive element keeps the device securely in place within the garbage receptacle and out of the reach of children and pets during both use and emptying of the receptacle.

Abstract: A mesh feed port for a bird feeder comprises a plurality of intersecting members defining a periodic pattern of openings. The openings include a plurality of first openings sized to receive a seed of a first size in a predetermined orientation, a plurality of second openings sized to receive a seed of a second size distinct from the first size in a predetermined orientation, and a plurality of third openings sized to receive a seed of a third size distinct from the first size and the second size in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A rodent trap having a remote arming capability and a method of deploying a rodent trap in an unarmed state and then arming the trap after a wait period without the user having to again physically access the trap. The trap, preferably embodied as an electronic rodent trap, may be configured with wireless remote arming capability, timed arming functionality, activity based arming and the like. When in the unarmed state, the trap operates in a monitoring mode in which the trap can monitor and evaluate activity and/or interactions with the trap and can send and receive wireless communication signals.

Abstract: A chip-clip type snap trap for rodents is provided that includes a bait cup covered by a bait cap that prevents setting of the trap when the bait cap is in place, high side walls to properly orient a rodent before trap activation, and grip elements on the lid and base to prevent finger slippage when setting the trap. The lid and base of the trap snap together without the need for pins, fasteners or tools, providing for easy and cost-effective manufacture.

Abstract: A liquid ant bait pack having a primary bait well and a plurality of feeding reservoirs for holding liquid bait is provided in which the walls of the feeding reservoirs as well as the primary bait well are sloped to facilitate ant access to the liquid bait held therein while reducing the risk of the ants falling into the bait and drowning. Ant access is further facilitated by dry platform areas positioned between the reservoirs. The inclusion of multiple feeding reservoirs, the bait well and the dry platform areas provides an increased area over which ants can simultaneously access the bait. The entrance to the bait pack is sealed during manufacture and then readily opened by the consumer using a tear-off tab that can removed without the need for any tools.

Abstract: A pre-tensioned door opening assembly and a lock plate releasing mechanism for an animal cage trap having an entry door operative with an animal access opening and a locking mechanism that is engaged upon door closure to prevent the door from being opened by a trapped animal. The pre-tensioned door opening assembly includes a plurality of cable routing elements, and an automatic-return retracting mechanism having a cable. The housing of the automatic-return retracting mechanism is mounted outside the enclosure with the cable being routed through the cable routing elements and operatively coupled with the door. The lock plate releasing mechanism is mounted on the trap roof in functional cooperation with the locking mechanism. The lock plate releasing mechanism disengages the locking mechanism to allow the pre-tensioned door opening assembly to open the entry door of the trap.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap is provided that includes a microprocessor and a resistive sensor coupled to a high voltage killing circuit and to a wash down sensor. Upon detecting a resistance, the resistive sensor sends a detection signal to the microprocessor. The microprocessor activates the wash down sensor to determine whether the resistance is above a threshold value and/or shows variation characteristics consistent with the presence of a rodent and thus warranting activation of the killing circuit. Resistance that is below the threshold indicates the presence of water such that the killing circuit is not activated and false triggering of the electronic rodent trap is prevented. Animal traps and monitoring stations incorporating a wash down sensor for pest detection but without killing mechanisms are also provided.