Patent ID: 6374536
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: A01M

Abstract:
A system for detecting subterranean termites and adapted to be buried below ground level proximate a perimeter of a building structure, the system comprising:a plurality of bait stations adapted to be substantially buried around said perimeter of said building structure; wherein each of the bait stations comprises: (i) a permeable container configured to hold a bait material, the permeable container including a plurality of apertures for access to the bait material by said termites when the permeable container is buried; (ii) a container monitoring portion in gaseous communication with the permeable container, the container monitoring portion including an access port positioned above ground when the permeable container is buried, the access port configured for insertion of a methane detector; and (iii) a closure adapted to selectively seal the access port and inhibit the escape of gases contained in the container through the access port; wherein the permeable container, container monitoring portion, and closure form a methane gas containing vessel when the permeable container is buried, the methane gas generated by the termite consumption of said bait material to be detected by said methane detector and thereby monitor the presence of termites in the bait station; and a methane detector to be inserted into the access port of each bait station to monitor the presence of termites therein.