Method and apparatus for tracking vermin

• US 20050081427A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rodotrac, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rodotrac, Inc.
• Inventors: Curtis, David, Emanuel, Henry Gideon
• Granted Patent: US 7,802,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/124
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 25/004 Bait stations, i.e. boxes completely enclosing the bait and provided with animal entrances
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area

Abstract

A method for tracking vermin includes causing the vermin to be covered in a non-toxic fluorescent substance which will leave a trail as the rodent enters/exits the human habitation, then examining the habitation with an ultraviolet light to determine the location of the entry/exit point used by the vermin. The fluorescent substance is preferably invisible without the aid of an ultraviolet light. It is also non-toxic to humans as well as animals and is relatively inexpensive. The apparatus for applying the ultraviolet substance is preferably a “bait station” within which an attractive substance is placed and surrounded by the fluorescent substance.

Claims

1. A method for tracking vermin, comprising:

causing the vermin to be covered with a non-toxic fluorescent substance which will leave a trail visible under ultraviolet light, and

finding the trail using an ultra violet light.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

said step of causing the vermin to be covered with a non-toxic fluorescent substance includes providing a bait station having an entrance, containing a vermin attractant and a quantity of fluorescent substance located between the attractant and the entrance.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein:

said fluorescent substance includes fibers mixed with fluorescent powder.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein:

the fibers are polyester staple fibers.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein:

the fibers are feathers.

6. An apparatus for tracking vermin for use with an ultraviolet light, comprising:

a container having an entry,

a vermin attractant in said container, and

a non-toxic fluorescent substance located between said entry and said vermin attractant, said fluorescent substance being visible under the ultraviolet light.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said fluorescent substance is a mixture of fiber and fluorescent powder.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:

said fibers are polyester staple fibers.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:

said fibers are feathers.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said container is a pipe having two end caps, at least one end cap defining a hole.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

said hole is approximately one inch in diameter.

12. A kit for tracking vermin, comprising:

an ultraviolet light,

a container having an entry,

a vermin attractant in said container, and

a non-toxic fluorescent substance located between said entry and said vermin attractant, said fluorescent substance being visible under the ultraviolet light.

13. The kit according to claim 12, wherein:

said fluorescent substance is a mixture of fiber and fluorescent powder.

14. The kit according to claim 13, wherein:

said fibers are polyester staple fibers.

15. The kit according to claim 13, wherein:

said fibers are feathers.

16. The kit according to claim 12, further comprising:

stuffing material for sealing the entry point of the vermin.

17. A vermin bait station, comprising:

a container having an entry,

a vermin attractant in said container, and

a non-toxic fluorescent substance located between said entry and said vermin attractant, said fluorescent substance being visible under the ultraviolet light, wherein

said attractant includes a vermin poison.

18. The bait station according to claim 17, wherein:

said fluorescent substance is a mixture of fiber and fluorescent powder.

19. The bait station according to claim 18, wherein:

said fibers are polyester staple fibers.

20. The bait station according to claim 18, wherein:

said fibers are feathers.