Method and apparatus for tracking vermin

• US 7,802,397 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rodotrac, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rodotrac, Inc.
• Inventors: Curtis, David, Emanuel, Henry Gideon
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US10/963,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20050081427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,177 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 43/131
• 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. An apparatus for tracking vermin for use with an ultraviolet light, comprising:

a container having an entry,

a non-toxic vermin attractant in said container, and

a non-toxic non-food fluorescent substance located between said entry and said vermin attractant, said fluorescent substance being visible under the ultraviolet light, wherein vermin entering the entry of the container are not trapped in the container but are free to exit the container.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

said fibers are polyester staple fibers.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

said fibers are feathers.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

said hole is approximately one inch in diameter.

7. A kit for tracking vermin, comprising:

an ultraviolet light,

a container having an entry,

a non-toxic vermin attractant in said container, and

a non-toxic non-food fluorescent substance located between said entry and said vermin attractant, said fluorescent substance being visible under the ultraviolet light, wherein vermin entering the entry of the container are not trapped in the container but are free to exit the container.

8. The kit according to claim 7, wherein:

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

9. The kit according to claim 8, wherein:

said fibers are polyester staple fibers.

10. The kit according to claim 8, wherein:

said fibers are feathers.

11. The kit according to claim 7, further comprising:

stuffing material for sealing the entry point of the vermin.

12. A vermin bait station, comprising:

a container having an entry,

a non-toxic vermin attractant in said container, and

a non-toxic non-food 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, wherein vermin entering the entry of the container are not trapped in the container but are free to exit the container.

13. The bait station according to claim 12, wherein:

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

14. The bait station according to claim 13, wherein:

said fibers are polyester staple fibers.

15. The bait station according to claim 13, wherein:

said fibers are feathers.