A device for detecting rodents

Abstract: A device for the detection of rodents comprises a generally hollow container having an aperture to allow entry into the container and exit from the container by a rodent and an indicator to indicate that a rodent has exited the container through the aperture. Preferably the indicator comprises a flexible barrier located across the aperture. At least part of this flexible barrier is capable of being displaced from a position in the interior of the container to a position on the exterior of the container by the movement of a rodent through the aperture from the interior to the exterior of the container. The device makes it possible to detect rodent infestation and is able to provide positive evidence of a rodent having been present inside the container.

Description: The present invention relates to a device for detecting rodents. The positive detection of rodent infestation, before rodenticides are employed, is desirable. The Food Industry, for instance, is particularly sensitive about this and prefers rodenticides to be used only after an infestation has been positively identified by other means. Furthermore, detection of rodents during a control programme, e.g., rodenticide baiting, can be a useful aid to confirm that the bait selected is appropriate. Unfortunately, when a bait is used the absence of bait consumption does not always indicate successful control. There are four main methods currently employed to detect rodent infestation. These are: - 1. census baiting using untreated foodstuffs or blank rodenticide formulations (i.e., formulations containing no active ingredient); 2. tracking patches where small areas of loose particulate matter (for example, gypsum, silversand and carbon black) are laid down to detect footprints; 3. visual inspection of a suspected site to identify rodent damage, droppings, hair or other signs; and 4. sophisticated detectors which employ complex and expensive electronic equipment (e.g., detectors which rely on detecting body heat radiated by a rodent positioned close to a sensor). All of these main methods have drawbacks. For instance, census baiting relies on the acceptance of the bait by the rodents and, as is the case with rodenticide baiting, negative results do not prove the absence of rodents. The use of census baits of a similar type to a rodenticidal formulation can also reduce the acceptance of that rodenticidal formulation, if subsequently used. Tracking methods currently employ "messy" dusts, dyes or pigments that are sensitive to environmental factors such as moisture, air movement and vibration. Furthermore, experience has shown that excessive use of tracking dusts, apart from the mess created, can be repellent to rodents. Visual inspection methods are time consuming and require considerable expertise to distinguish between "old" and "fresh" signs. Live rodents are rarely seen except where the infestation level is high. Finally, sophisticated electronic detectors are costly, consume power and require expert maintenance. The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting rodents which does not suffer from the disadvantages associated with the current methods discussed above and which can provide positive evidence of the presence or absence of a rodent infestation. FR-A-2544586 describes a device for introduction into a mole run to indicate the presence of or the passage of a mole. The device may be provided with a detector which when moved by the mole signals the presence of the mole. Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for the detection of rodents comprising a generally hollow container having an aperture to allow entry into the container and exit from the container by a rodent and an Indicator to indicate that a rodent has exited the container through the aperture. Typically, the indicator comprises a flexible barrier located across the aperture and will have a portion which is capable of being displaced through the aperture from a position in the container interior to a position on the exterior of the container by the movement of a rodent through the aperture from the interior to the exterior of the container. The detector would be set, before use, by locating the displaceable portion of the barrier to the interior of the aperture, inside the container. When a rodent passes through the aperture, although the barrier will be disturbed it will not be displaced through the aperture. However, when the rodent exits the container the flexible barrier will be pushed by the rodent such that the displaceable portion is pushed through the aperture such that it remains located to the exterior of the container after the rodent has departed. If the same or another rodent subsequently enters the container through the aperture, the indicator will be displaced such that it will be relocated to the interior of the container. The rodent, when it exits will, however, displace the flexible barrier so that it remains outside the aperture unless a rodent enters the container. Thus, once the position of the indicator has been set initially before use any displacement of the indicator to an exterior position will be positive evidence that a rodent has entered and then exited the detector device. An embodiment of the device of the present invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a device according to the present invention with the indicator set in the initial position; FIGURE 2 shows a view similar to that shown in FIGURE 1 except the indicator has been displaced by passage of a rodent from the interior to the exterior of the device; FIGURE 3 shows a front view of the device shown in FIGURE 1; and FIGURE 4 shows a front view of the device shown in FIGURE 2. As shown in FIGURE 1, the device 1 comprises a generally hollow box 2 having walls 3 and a generally square crossection. Hollow containers of other shapes such as tubular vessels may also be used in the invention. A front wall 4 is provided with an aperture 5. To the front wall 4 is fixed an indicator 6 in the form of a flap which is suspended across the aperture 5. The box 2 and the aperture 5 are of an appropriate size for easy access to all foraging stages of the rodent pest to be detected. The dimensions of the box and the aperture will, therefore, depend on the size of the rodent to be detected (for instance, whether it is a mouse or a rat). The indicator 6 as shown in FIGURE 1 comprises a flap in the shape of a tongue, preferably formed of a flexible sheet of plastics material. However, a flap having a different shape from that shown in FIGURE 1 may be employed. It is also within the scope of the invention to use an indicator comprising two or more separate portions which are hinged together so that it is flexible and has an end portion that can be displaced from a location inside the box to a location outside the box. It is also within the scope of this invention to use an indicator of filamentous design with the same attributes and function of the aforementioned flap. The material, dimensions and form of mounting of the indicator are such that it offers minimal physical obstruction to a rodent entering the box while ensuring that the free end portion of the indicator will remain protruding from the aperture when the rodent leaves the box. The indicator should, of course, be constructed so that it cannot be displaced by foraging insects, air movement or physical shock. The flap will be fixed by one of its edges 7 adjacent the aperture in the wall of the box such that the end 8 of the flap remote from the fixed edge is capable of being displaced through the aperture. The device, though shown in FIGURE 1 as having one aperture and one flap may have more than one aperture to allow entry into and exit from the box by rodent. Each aperture will, of course, be provided with one, or possibly, more than one indicator. Before the device is left in a suitable location for the detection of rodents the flap 6 will be set such that it lies totally within the box. This is shown in FIGURE 3. Any rodent entering the box through the aperture 5 will push inwards against the flap 6. However, when the rodent exits the box it will push the flap through the aperture and the thus-displaced end portion (8) of the flap will remain protruding through the aperture as an indicator of the fact that a rodent has entered and has left the box (FIGURES 2 and 4). The device may be used empty as a 'stand-alone' device or may contain lures, food-stuffs or bait, if desired. Advantages of the device of the invention include:- 1. reliable detection of foraging rodents; 2. does not rely on feeding behaviour; 3. easy to reset; 4. no false detections; 5. clean; 6. can be used as a 'stand-alone' detector and a monitored bait box; 7. can be used in a baiting programme to optimise bait selection; and 8. economic.

Claims: A device for the detection of rodents comprising a generally hollow container (2) having an aperture (5) to allow entry into the container and exit from the container by a rodent characterised in that it comprises an indicator (6) to indicate that a rodent has exited the container through the aperture. A device according to claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a flexible barrier located across the aperture at least a part of said flexible barrier being capable of being displaced from a position in the interior of the container to a position on the exterior of the container by the movement of a rodent through the aperture from the interior to the exterior of the container. A device according to claim 2, wherein the indicator comprises a flap one part of which is fixed to the container adjacent the aperture and one of part of which, being remote from the fixed part, is free and is capable of being displaced from the container interior to the container exterior. A device according to claim 3, wherein the indicator comprises a tongue one end of which is fixed to the container adjacent the aperture said tongue having an end portion, remote from the fixed end, which is free and which is capable of being displaced from the container interior to the container exterior. A device according to claim 4, wherein the tongue is formed of a sheet of flexible plastics material. A device according to claim 3, wherein the fixed part of the flap and the free part of the flap are connected together by a hinge. A device according to claim 3, wherein the indicator comprises one or more filaments which may be crosslinked to ensure the indicator is displaced from the interior of the container to the exterior of the container. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 having at least two apertures, each aperture being provided with an indicator for indicating that a rodent has exited through the aperture.

Inventors: TWYDELL ROLAND STEPHEN, TWYDELL, ROLAND STEPHEN
Applicants: SOREX LTD, SOREX LIMITED
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A01M31
IPC codes: A01M31