Abstract: A bird feeder is provided having a seed reservoir with a side wall that has at least one seed access opening and a squirrel resistant feed port assembly having a seed access restricter. The seed access restricter has a body with an inner opening in communication with the reservoir side wall opening and an outer seed access opening that is spaced away from the inner opening and the reservoir side wall opening while being in communication therewith. The outer seed access opening of the restricter is small enough and the length of the body is long enough that the squirrel resistant feed port assembly allows birds to access seed in the reservoir while blocking entry of the larger facial and head structure of a squirrel, thus preventing squirrels from gaining seed access.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid 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 feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: A remote notification electronic rodent trapping system and method is provided having a plurality of rearming electronic rodent trapping devices configured to wirelessly communicate trap information to a base station that is in communication with a cloud server. When a trap is activated by a rodent trigger it changes from a set state to a kill alert state and initiates a killing cycle. The trap waits a first time period and then sends a notification signal to the base station of trap activation which the base station forwards to the cloud server. The cloud server waits a second predetermined time period before sending a pushed notification to a remote user of the trap's kill alert state. If the trap rearms prior to expiration of the second time period, it alerts the base station which notifies the cloud server. The cloud server updates trap status to the set state and does not send a notification to the user.

Abstract: A cage-type animal trap has an over-center set mechanism for holding open a door for closing the trap access opening. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the door of the trap by an actuating cable. A bait pedal is movably mounted inside the trap with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedal and to the set mechanism so that when an animal enters the trap, the weight of the animal moves the pedal, causing the trip rod and link assembly to actuate the set mechanism. Upon actuation, the set lever pivots past its over-center position to allow movement of the cable which enables the door to move from an opened position to a closed position to trap the animal inside the trap.

Abstract: A cage type animal trap having an enclosure with an animal access opening into a vacant interior sized to receive an animal to be trapped. The access opening is closed by a door that is movable from a closed to an opened position by an actuating mechanism having a flexible actuating member with one end secured to the door and the other end releasably held by a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is configured to move the door to the opened position by tensioning the actuating member and, in response to a trigger mechanism, to release the second end of the actuating member and allow the door to move from the opened position to the closed position thereby trapping the animal in the animal enclosure. A door lock in abutment with the outer surface of the door prevents the door from being opened by a trapped animal. A part of the actuating mechanism is in engagement with the door lock when the door is closed such that the door lock is automatically disengaged when the actuating member is tensioned.

Abstract: A bird feeder is provided having a seed reservoir with a side wall that has at least one seed access opening and an adjustable feed port assembly. The feed port assembly includes a base mounted to the side wall in a fixed relationship thereto and having a central opening in communication with the seed in the reservoir. Fitted to the base is a rotatable insert having a perch coupled thereto in fixed relationship so that the perch and insert rotate as a unit. The insert is rotatable between two positions, an upright position in which the perch is below the base central opening enabling birds to feed while standing on the perch, and an upside down position in which the perch is above the base central opening, requiring birds to hang upside down from the perch to feed.

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 top-fill hummingbird feeder has a liquid container with a lower bottom opening which can be screw-threaded into a central collar of a feeding basin. An insert is received within the central collar and is configured to be vertically movable between a first position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the liquid container to the basin, and a second position in which fluid flow from the container to the basin is prevented.

Abstract: A nutrient dispensing apparatus for birds having a hanger and two interchangeable dispensers supported by the hanger. Each dispenser includes a bottle for holding liquid or solid nutrients, and at least one basin into which the liquid or solid nutrients, water and bird feed, for example, are made available to the birds. The user can change the configuration of the dispensers as desired to provide just liquid nutrients, just solid nutrients or both. The flow rates for dispensing of the nutrients are different for each nutrient alternative.

Abstract: An oriole jelly birdfeeder is provided that includes a jelly holding container, a base having a feeding platform and a connecting element for connecting the base to the container, and a mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism includes a mixer element and a mixer handle which are coupled to one another and rotatable together. The mixer element includes a paddle positioned within the connecting element to enable the user to mix and distribute the jelly, which is held within the container, onto the feeding platform as needed by rotating the mixer handle.

Abstract: A platform bird feeder is provided including a base platform with a seed tray, a baffle and a center pole having a bottom end connected the tray, the baffle being tiltably and adjustably mounted to the pole above the base. Preferably, the seed tray has a seed protecting grate to hinder squirrels from accessing the seed in the tray. The height of the baffle above the seed tray may be adjusted up and down to allow the user to increase and decrease the seed access space, respectively, between the baffle and the tray. When the baffle is at a desired height, it is secured in place by an adjustable securing mechanism that, while holding the baffle at the desired height, allows the baffle to tilt or wobble when sufficient weight is placed on one side of the baffle.

Abstract: A birdseed dispenser and birdfeeder incorporating the same are provided. The dispenser has a base assembly mounted to a first opening formed in the sidewall of the birdseed reservoir, including a front plate having a second opening formed therein, a flange extending around the second opening and projecting away from the front plate, and an end wall supported by the flange such that the flange and end wall together define a chamber. The dispenser also includes an apertured piece received in the chamber having a first seed aperture of a first configuration and a second seed aperture of a different configuration. The apertured piece is moveable between a first orientation, which places the first seed aperture in a seed accessible state permitting birds access to the seed, and a second orientation to place the second seed aperture in the seed accessible state.

Abstract: A cage-type animal trap with two opposed animal access openings that can operate in a one-door-opening configuration or a two-door-opening configuration. The trap has a set mechanism for holding one or both doors open to allow access through the corresponding trap access openings. The set mechanism includes a set lever that is movable from a set position to a tripped position and that is coupled to the doors of the trap by an actuating member. Upon actuation, the set lever moves from the set to the tripped position to allow movement of the actuating member which enables one of the doors to move from an opened position to a closed position when the trap is operating in a one-door-opening configuration, and both of the doors to move from the opened position to the closed position when the trap is operating in the two-door-opening configuration.

Abstract: An electric fence monitoring unit and an integrated energizer/monitoring unit with remote control and communication capability using GSM based cellular technology, and a method for the use thereof, is provided. A simple set of commands can be used and sent, such as through text messaging (SMS) or a smartphone application, to control and/or receive information from the monitoring unit including alerts sent to the user in the case of faults or changes in fence loading. The monitoring unit includes a safety mode that uses time dependent voltage detection to detect when a sudden and significant drop in fence voltage has occurred, as may result when an animal becomes trapped or entangled in the fence. When such a large and rapid voltage drop is detected and the safety mode is enabled, the unit automatically de-energizes the electric fence and an alert is sent to the user advising that the fence should be looked at without delay.

Abstract: A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.

Abstract: A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottleneck extension at its other end, and a liquid tray having a well adapted to receive the bottleneck extension and at least one feeding port. The sidewall of the well is provided with at least one drain hole and the sidewall of the bottleneck extension with at least one port. The container and bottleneck extension are rotatable within the well to selectively align and misalign the port with the well drain hole to respectively open and close the drain hole upon rotation of the container. In an alternate embodiment, the bottleneck extension is fitted with a collar rotatable with the container. The collar is received in the liquid tray well and includes at least one port. A liquid flow path is formed in the liquid tray for each feeding port to reduce the volume of nectar in the tray at any given time.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel insecticidal formulations comprising an effective concentration of: 1) at least one or more essential oils and an insecticidal soap; 2) at least one or more essential oils, an insecticidal soap, and pyrethrins; 3) at least one or more essential oils and pyrethrins; 4) at least one or more essential oils, an insecticidal soap and a synergist, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate or lecithin; 5) at least one or more essential oils, an insecticidal soap, a synergist, and pyrethrins; and 6) at least one or more essential oils, a synergist, and pyrethrins. A carrier oil, such as mineral oil, may be added to any of the foregoing formulations.

Abstract: A mouse trap having a guillotine killing mechanism is provided. The trap includes a housing with a door, a guillotine positioned to extend at least partly into an interior of said housing, a trigger mechanism including a lever and catch to hold the guillotine in a raised position to set the trap, and a spring for biasing the guillotine to a lowered killing position when the trigger mechanism is activated to release the guillotine from the raised position.

Abstract: A motion activated water repellant sprinkler device for repelling animals that can be remotely controlled is provided. When the device is in on mode, the user can remotely adjust the sensitivity setting of the motion detector, set a time period for which the sprinkler will continually spray, and turn off the device so that the user can approach the device without being sprayed. The ability to set a particular time period for continuous sprinkler activity allows the motion activated water repellant sprinkler device to be used not only as an animal deterring device but also as a watering device for grass and other plants. Remote control by IR signals and RF signals is disclosed.