Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relationship to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap includes an outer housing forms a trap body having two entrances defined on opposite sides thereof and creates a tunnel therebetween extending longitudinally between the entrances. A high voltage killing circuit is arranged within the trap body, and includes a plurality of killing plates and a triggering element separate from the plurality of killing plates and spaced inwardly from the entrance. A removable tunnel module is received within the outer housing and includes opposed entrances in alignment with the two entrances of the trap body. A removable electronics module is received within the outer housing, the electronics module contains the voltage circuit operatively connected to the plurality of killing plates.

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: 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 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.

Abstract: A snap type rodent trap with remote notification capability is provided. The trap includes a non-conductive base, conductive bail and trigger components, and an electronic PCB assembly mounted on the trap base. According to a first embodiment, the base is wood and the PCB assembly is selectively coated or printed with a layer of a flexible conductive material that contacts bail and trigger wire components mounted on the upper surface of the trap base as well as a conductive strip positioned to be contacted by the bail when the trap is tripped and empty. According to a second embodiment, the base is molded plastic. The PCB assembly in both embodiments is configured to detect and provide remote notification of trap states using the bail as an antenna. A method of retrofitting a snap type trap with an electronics monitoring system is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap includes an outer housing forms a trap body having two entrances defined on opposite sides thereof and creates a tunnel therebetween extending longitudinally between the entrances. A high voltage killing circuit is arranged within the trap body, and includes a plurality of killing plates and a triggering element separate from the plurality of killing plates and spaced inwardly from the entrance. A removable tunnel module is received within the outer housing and includes opposed entrances in alignment with the two entrances of the trap body. A removable electronics module is received within the outer housing, the electronics module contains the voltage circuit operatively connected to the plurality of killing plates.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relationship to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relationship to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification including long range monitoring capability.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relationship to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification.

Abstract: A live catch trap having a light-based sensor mounted therein and remote communication capability. The light-based sensor may be a visual image device such as a CMOS or CCD camera that evaluates the status of the trap interior for the presence of insects and/or rodents. The camera may be activated to check the trap interior either periodically or in response to an event as detected by one or more sensors such as a motion detector, accelerometer, pressure sensor and/or temperature sensor. Alternatively, the trap may include a reflectivity sensor or a photo sensor including arrays of LEDs and photodiodes. The trap includes a microprocessor that evaluates the data collected by the light-based sensor to determine what type of activity has been sensed and then reports this information wirelessly to a remote user.

Abstract: A snap type rodent trap with remote notification capability is provided. The trap includes a non-conductive base, conductive bail and trigger components, and an electronic PCB assembly mounted on the trap base. According to a first embodiment, the base is wood and the PCB assembly is selectively coated or printed with a layer of a flexible conductive material that contacts bail and trigger wire components mounted on the upper surface of the trap base as well as a conductive strip positioned to be contacted by the bail when the trap is tripped and empty. According to a second embodiment, the base is molded plastic. The PCB assembly in both embodiments is configured to detect and provide remote notification of trap states using the bail as an antenna. A method of retrofitting a snap type trap with an electronics monitoring system is also provided.

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.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relation hip to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification including long range monitoring capability.

Abstract: An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relationship to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification.

Abstract: A live catch trap having a light-based sensor mounted therein and remote communication capability is provided. The light-based sensor may be a visual image device such as a CMOS or CCD camera that evaluates the status of the trap interior for the presence of insects and/or rodents. The camera may be activated to check the trap interior either periodically or in response to an event as detected by one or more sensors such as a motion detector, accelerometer, pressure sensor and/or temperature sensor. Alternatively, the trap may include a reflectivity sensor or a photo sensor including arrays of LEDs and photodiodes. The trap includes a microprocessor that evaluates the data collected by the light-based sensor to determine what type of activity has been sensed and then reports this information wirelessly to a remote user.