Abstract:
A glue trap which reduces the suffering of entrapped animals through the addition of a bait containing carbromal that will calm the animal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to traps for rats, mice, and other vermin which use an adhesive substance to ensnare and entangle the target pest. These traps are commonly referred to as &#34;glue traps.&#34; Examples of such traps are described in &#34;Glue Traps for Rodents,&#34; Pest Control Technology, October, 1977, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,584, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. One drawback of such prior art glue traps is the significant torment that the target pest undergoes in trying to extricate itself from the trap. Such traps have become the subject of protests by animal rights groups and humane societies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an improved glue trap which presents the target pest with an alluring bait which contains a substance, when ingested, which is capable of calming the trapped pest. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a substrate, an adhesive substance which is applied to the substrate, and a bait attractive to the target pest to which a calming substance, such as an animal tranquilizer, sedative, hypnotic, or anesthetizing agent, has been added in an amount sufficient to calm the trapped pest when it ingests the bait and/or calming substance. The substrate may be, but is not limited to, cardboard, metal, or a polymeric material, but it is preferred to use a polymeric material for economy and ease of fabrication. The polymeric material is most preferably molded as a tray containing a recessed portion to retain the adhesive substance. 
     The calming substance may be any substance known to produce a calming effect when ingested by the target pest. For rats and mice, carbromal[N-(Aminocarbonyl)-2-bromo-2-ethylbutanamide] and its salts and derivatives such as acetylcarbromal[a-bromo-a-ethylbutyrl-acetylurea], bromisovalum[a-bromoisovalerylurea] and diethylbromo acetamide[a-bromo-a,a-diethylacetamide] and their salts are preferred. 
     The bait may be any food substance which is attractive to the target pest and is capable of being mixed with, coated by, or otherwise comingled with the calming substance. The bait may also be a non-food substance which is attractive to the target pest due to its aroma or appearance and which causes the target pest to attempt to bite or lick the bait thus causing the ingestion of the calming substance which has been mixed with, coated on, or otherwise comingled with the non-food substance. It is preferred to use pelletized, commercially available animal food which may be readily coated with a powdered or liquid calming substance. 
     The adhesive substance may be any tacky material capable of ensnaring and entangling the target pest when applied to the substrate in sufficient depth. Examples of useful adhesive substances are pressure sensitive adhesives of the hot-melt type or solvent-based type, either with or without the addition of deliberately entrapped bubbles. Where the adhesive substance is applied by the manufacturer rather than by the user, it is preferred that the adhesive substance should have a flow temperature which is greater than the highest temperature to which the trap may be expected to be exposed during shipment or storage.