Method of Detecting and Exterminating Rodents

• US 20080222942A1
• Filed: 03/12/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dalton D. Vernon
• Original Assignee: Dalton D. Vernon
• Inventors: Dalton, D. Vernon
• Application Number:
  US12/047,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20080222942A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/58
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 13/006 Fumigators specially adapted for destruction of rats or similar animals in holes
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 17/004 Apparatus for gassing rats or similar animals in holes
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 19/00 Apparatus for the destruction of noxious animals, other than insects, by hot water, steam, hot air, or electricity electric traps A01M23/38
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 25/006 Poison applicators, i.e. mobile devices for disposing poison wherever required, e.g. into holes, burrows, walls or ground
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/12 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005

Abstract

A method of detecting and exterminating rodents can include collecting geographical data of underground rodent tunnels and nests within a defined geographical region. Additionally, the method can include processing the geographical data, and presenting the data in a form sufficient to allow an operator to identify a location of the underground rodent tunnels and nests. A method of detecting and exterminating rodents also can include exterminating rodents dwelling in the underground tunnels and nests. A system of detecting and exterminating rodents includes a substantially above-ground surveyor which can generate data of underground rodent tunnels and nests, and a data processor which can receive, store, interpret and present the data generated by the surveyor. Additionally, the system can also include an exterminating device.

Claims

1. A method of detecting and exterminating rodents, comprising:

a) collecting geographical data of underground rodent tunnels and nests within a defined geographical region;

b) processing the geographical data;

c) presenting the data in a form sufficient to allow an operator to identify a location of the underground rodent tunnels and nests; and

d) exterminating rodents dwelling in the underground tunnels and nests.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the rodent tunnels are positioned from about 5 inches to about 30 inches beneath the surface of the earth.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the nests are positioned from about less than 1 foot to about 6 feet beneath the earth'"'"'s surface.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein collecting geographical data is accomplished by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals using a frequency domain electromagnetic system.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein collecting geographical data is accomplished by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals using ground penetrating radar.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein collecting geographical data is accomplished by using shallow seismic reflection.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein shallow seismic reflection is accomplished by transmitting and receiving signals using a seismic source and geophones.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein collecting geographical data is accomplished by measuring the resistance of an electrical current introduced into a specific surface location of the geographical region.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein collecting geographical data is accomplished by taking thermal images of the defined geographical region using a thermographic camera.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein exterminating the rodents is accomplished by placing a rodenticide in the underground rodent tunnels and nests.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein collecting, processing and presenting the data all occur substantially simultaneously.

12. A method as in claim 1, wherein exterminating the rodents occurs within 5 minutes of collecting, processing, and presenting the data.

13. A system of detecting and exterminating rodents, comprising:

a) a substantially above-ground surveyor which can generate data of underground rodent tunnels and nests;

b) a data processor which can receive, store, interpret and present the data generated by the surveyor; and

c) an exterminating device.

14. A system as in claim 13, wherein the surveyor comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of electromagnetic sensors, radar antennas, geophones, resistance meters, magnetometers, gradiometers, and thermographic cameras.

15. A system as in claim 13, wherein the surveyor further includes a mobility attachment.

16. A system as in claim 13, wherein the surveyor comprises wheels.

17. A system as in claim 13, wherein the surveyor and data processor are contained in a single structural unit.

18. A system as in claim 13, wherein the exterminating device is structurally connected to the surveyor on a common platform.

19. A system as in claim 13, wherein the data processor generates a map of the underground rodent tunnels and nests from the data.

20. A system as in claim 13, wherein the exterminating device is a rodenticide source.

21. A system as in claim 13, wherein the exterminating device is a high voltage electrode.

22. A system as in claim 13, wherein the exterminating device comprises a mechanical rodent trap.