This invention relates to a vertebrate trap for capturing, disabling and/or killing vertebrates and has particular, but not exclusive application to a trap for mammals, preferably land mammals, and even more preferably small land mammals such as rodents, marsupials, leporids and mustelids.

Rodent traps are used to capture or kill rats, mice or other small rodents . Known traps utilise bait to attract the rodents towards the trap, thereby making them more effective at capturing rodents. Typically the bait comprises a food stuff such as chocolate. It is also known to impregnate a card with a volatile and odorous substance to attract the rodents instead of using a food stuff. This has the advantage that it is not necessary to leave small amounts of food on the traps, which may decompose making the trap unhygienic to touch even when it has not captured a rodent. However, a user is still required to touch the bait impregnated card when they require replacement.

Known traps use various ways to kill a rodent that enters the trap. Mechanical traps may comprise a spring loaded strike arm adapted to strike the rat when it activates a trigger mechanism. Other traps are known to comprise an electrified mesh that electrocutes the rodent when its body completes a circuit. These types of traps have draw backs in that the rodent is killed while on or inside the trap. This can deter other rodents making the trap able to catch only one rodent at a time until it is emptied and reset.

Poison based traps are also known, these traps either comprise a poison powder or airborne poison that the rodent contacts as it moves through the trap. The poison is typically adapted not to have immediate effect and therefore the rodent will cease to be some distance from the trap. The trap can therefore continue to operate until the reserves of poison powder or airborne poison have been depleted.

According to a first aspect of the present invention we provide a vertebrate trap for capturing, disabling and/or killing a vertebrate comprising an enclosure into which the vertebrate can enter to be captured, disabled and/or killed, and a pheromone component for attracting vertebrates into the enclosure.

This is advantageous as the vertebrate is attracted into the enclosure without requiring a bait or odour impregnated card.

It is to be understood that the vertebrate may not necessarily reach a disabled state and/or die whilst in the enclosure and that the vertebrate may alternatively reach a disabled state and/or die having left the enclosure, although the act that causes the vertebrate to reach a disabled state and/or die does occur within the enclosure.

In one embodiment, the pheromone component is provided at least in the enclosure.

Preferably, the trap further comprises a poison component. Preferably the pheromone component and the poison component are in combination.

Preferably, the trap further comprises a container and a container actuation means, the container including the pheromone component and/or the poison component, the actuation means being adapted to cause the container to release a dose of its contents. This is advantageous as the pheromone and poison can be contained in a single canister. Therefore, a user is not required to handle any bait materials or any poison materials as these are conveniently housed in gaseous form within the gas container.

Preferably, the container comprises a pressurized gas container.

Preferably, the trap further comprises a detector and the actuation means is adapted to cause the container to release a dose of its contents at least when a vertebrate is detected as being within the enclosure by the detector.

Preferably, the actuation means is adapted to cause the container to release a dose of its contents at predetermined time intervals. This is advantageous as the concentration of pheromone component emanating from the trap is kept at a level to attract further vertebrates.

Preferably, the ratio of pheromone components to poison components is such that vertebrates are attracted by the pheromone but are unable to detect the poison until inside the enclosure, at which point the poison is in sufficient concentrations to fatally poison the vertebrate.

Preferably, the actuation means is arranged to cause the container to spray a vertebrate that is detected by the detector as being within the enclosure with a dose of its contents.

This is advantageous as the detected vertebrate is directly administered a fatal dose of the poison, avoiding the necessity for the poison to be released in a sufficient amount to be fatal to the vertebrate whether in direct contact with the vertebrate or not. This enables less poison to be used, there is no wastage of poison, and a broader range of poisons can be utilised. Preferably, the vertebrate trap further comprises a sensor in combination with a transmitter, wherein the sensor is arranged to sense an attribute that is indicative of the amount of the pheromone component and/or the poison component that remains, and the transmitter is arranged to transmit a signal that is indicative of the amount of the pheromone component and/or the poison component that remains .

The attribute that is indicative of the amount of the pheromone component and/or the poison component that remains may, for example, be the amount of the pheromone component and/or the poison component that remains, the amount of the pheromone component and/or the poison component that has been administered, the number of doses that have been administered, or the number of doses that remain.

This is advantageous because it avoids the need to access individual traps to determine whether the pheromone component and/or the poison component needs refilling. A user can simply remotely receive the transmitted signal from a trap in order to discover whether the trap contains any pheromone component and/or poison component. This is particularly useful if a trap is located in an inaccessible area.

The sensor may be any suitable sensor, for example a pressure sensor that can sense the pressure of a substance in a container; a gas sensor that can sense the amount of gas in a container; a liquid sensor that can sense the amount of liquid in a container; a chemical sensor that can sense the amount of a chemical in a container; a light sensor that can sense greater amounts of light as the contents of a container are diminished or can sense the presence of light when the contents of a container fall below a certain level; a sound sensor that can sense the frequency of the sound from the administration of a pheromone component and/or poison component; a motion sensor that can sense the frequency of movement that occurs upon administration of a pheromone component and/or poison component; or an electronic sensor for counting the number of detections that cause the container to release a dose of its contents .

The transmitter may be arranged to transmit a wireless signal, for example a radio signal or microwave signal.

The trap may further comprise a geographical location determination device such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver in combination with a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit a signal indicating the location of the trap. This is advantageous as the location of traps can be determined quickly and accurately, even if large areas are involved. It will be appreciated that similar location determination systems could be used including other satellite based navigation/location systems or known GSM localisation technology using mobile phone network infrastructure.

The detector may for example comprise one or more of a temperature sensor that can sense a temperature change in the trap caused by the presence of a vertebrate, a heat sensor that can sense the heat of a vertebrate's body, a pressure sensor that can sense the pressure of a vertebrate's body upon the sensor, a gas sensor that can sense the gases released by a vertebrate, a liquid sensor that can sense the liquids released by a vertebrate, a humidity sensor that can sense a change in the humidity of the air in the trap caused by the presence of a vertebrate, a chemical sensor that can sense the chemicals released by a vertebrate, an odour sensor that can sense the odours released by a vertebrate, a light sensor that can sense a change in the level of light in the trap caused by the presence of a vertebrate, an infra-red sensor that can sense the thermal radiation of a vertebrate, a sound sensor that can sense the sound made by a vertebrate, or a motion sensor that can sense the movement of a vertebrate.

Preferably, the pheromone component for attracting vertebrates comprises one or more sex pheromone. The pheromone component is preferably a vertebrate sex pheromone. The pheromone component may be a reptile or mammal sex pheromone. The pheromone component may be selected from the group comprising mice, rat, squirrel, chipmunk, gopher, porcupine, beaver, hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, degus , chinchilla, prairie dog, groundhog, stoat, rabbit and possum pheromones. The pheromone component may be selected from the group comprising squalene, 2- heptanone, 4-ethyl phenol, Zs .is-β-faπiesene, Zs-α-farnesene, i?,Z?-dehydro- ejco-brevicomin and S^-sec-butyl-dihydrothiazole.

The poison component may be naturally occurring, synthetic or a mixture of naturally occurring and synthetic components. The poison component may comprise one or more rodenticide. The poison component may comprise one or more anticoagulant, metal phosphide, calciferol, cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol, alpha-naphthylthiourea, arsenic, barium compounds, bromethalin, chloralose, crimidine, l ,3-difluoro-2-propanol, endrin, fluoroacetamide, phosacetim, white phosphorus, pyrinuron, scilliroside, sodium fluoroacetate, strychnine, tetramethylenedisulfotetramine, thallium compounds, hydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, and/or potassium cyanide. The one or more anticoagulant may be selected from the group comprising warfarin, coumatetralyl, brodifacoum, difenacoum, flocoumafen, chlorophacinone, pindone, diphacinone, difethialone and coumarin. The one or more metal phosphide may be selected from the group comprising aluminium phosphide, calcium phosphide, magnesium phosphide and zinc phosphide. Preferably, the container also includes one or more wetting agent/dermal penetrant. The wetting agent/dermal penetrant may be selected from the group comprising N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, emu oil and other fatty acid-based compounds . The use of wetting agents/dermal penetrants enhances the absorption of the poison through the skin and, where present, the fur of a vertebrate.

The enclosure may be of plastics and the pheromone component may be impregnated in said plastics.

According to a second aspect of the present invention we provide a vertebrate trap for capturing, disabling and/or killing a vertebrate comprising an enclosure into which the vertebrate can enter to be captured, disabled and/or killed, a container and a container actuation means, the container including a poison component, the actuation means being arranged to cause the container to spray a vertebrate with a dose of its contents.

Preferably, the trap further comprises a detector arranged to detect the presence of a vertebrate. Preferably, the actuation means is arranged to cause the container to spray a vertebrate that is detected by the detector as being within the enclosure with a dose of its contents.

Preferably, the container further includes a pheromone component for attracting vertebrates.

According to a third aspect of the present invention we provide a vertebrate trap for capturing, disabling and/or killing a vertebrate comprising an enclosure into which the vertebrate can enter to be captured, disabled and/or killed, a pheromone component for attracting vertebrates and/or a poison component, and a sensor in combination with a transmitter, wherein the sensor is arranged to sense an attribute that is indicative of the amount of the pheromone component and/or the poison component that remains, and the transmitter is arranged to transmit a signal that is indicative of the amount of the pheromone component and/or the poison component that remains.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention we provide a vertebrate trap for capturing, disabling and/or killing a vertebrate comprising an enclosure into which the vertebrate can enter to be captured, disabled and/or killed, and a geographical location determination device in combination with a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit a signal indicating the location of the trap.

The geographical location determination device may be a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

It will be appreciated that, where appropriate, all optional or preferable features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

There now follows by way of example only a detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the vertebrate trap according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a part sectional view of the vertebrate trap shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the vertebrate trap of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a sectional side view of the vertebrate trap shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the vertebrate trap according to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows an end view of the vertebrate trap shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the vertebrate trap according to the present invention; and

Figure 8 shows a sectional end view of the vertebrate trap shown in Figure 7.

Figure 1 shows a vertebrate trap that is in this embodiment a rodent trap 1 comprising an enclosure 2 and pressurized gas container 3. Enclosure 2 comprises a hollow tubular member having a first open end 4 and a second open end 5 the enclosure 2 is mounted to a base 6 by supports 7 and 8. The gas container 3 is mounted to the enclosure by a clip 10 that is secured to the enclosure.

The container 3 includes a nozzle 11. The nozzle 11 is adapted to be connected to a conduit 12 by a connector 13. The connector 13 is removably connected to nozzle 11 by a screw threaded connection. However, it will be appreciated that any appropriate means of connection may be used.

The container further includes a pressure sensor 17 that can sense the pressure of the gas in the container 3 and a radio transmitter 18 that can transmit a radio signal indicating the pressure of the gas in the container 3. However, it will be appreciated that any appropriate sensor and transmitter may be used.

The enclosure 2 further includes a GPS receiver 19 in combination with a radio transmitter 20, wherein the transmitter 20 is arranged to transmit a radio signal indicating the location of the trap. However, it will be appreciated that any appropriate transmitter may be used.

Turning to Figure 2, which shows a sectional view of the enclosure 2, the conduit 12 is connected to a release chamber 14 that is located beneath the enclosure 2. The release chamber 14 is in communication with the interior of the enclosure 2 via a vent 15. The vent 15 comprises a laminar member having a plurality of apertures therethrough to allow the contents of the pressurized container 3 to enter the enclosure 2 via the chamber 14. The chamber 14 also houses a release member 16 that controls the flow of the contents of container 3 into the chamber 14. The release member 16 is connected to an actuator (not shown) that moves in response to instructions received from an activation device (not shown) . The enclosure 2 further includes a detector 21 that is a motion sensor for detecting the presence of vertebrates such as rodents. However, it will be appreciated that any appropriate detector may be used.

The second embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 is substantially similar to that of Figures 1 and 2 and therefore like reference numerals have been used for like features . In this embodiment, the enclosure 2 comprises an elongate tubular member having an arched central section 30 located between a first open end section 31 and a second open end section 32. The open end sections 31 and 32 include barrier bars 33 and 34. The barrier bars 33 and 34 extend from one side of the end section 31, 32 to the other side. The barrier bars 33 and 34 are mounted within boars that extend through the walls of the end sections 31 and 32. The barrier bars 33 and 34 are positioned such that animals larger than a rodent are substantially prevented from entering the enclosure 2. The remainder of the second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment.

Figures 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the rodent trap 1. As before, like reference numerals have been used for like features. In the third embodiment, the pressurized gas container 3 is received within a port 50 formed in the base 6. The port 50 includes a screw threaded aperture to securely receive the screw threaded nozzle 11 of the container 3. The conduit 12 extends from the port 50 a release chamber 14 (hidden from view in these Figures) further, in this embodiment the vent 15 is replaced with a discharge orifice 51 located in the wall of the enclosure 2 and connected to the release chamber 14 by an orifice conduit 52. The barrier bars 31 and 32 extend vertically and are located adjacent each end of the enclosure 2.

In the fourth embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 , the base 6 is replaced with an actuator housing 70. The housing includes a port 71 for receiving the nozzle 11 of the container 3. As in the previous embodiments the port includes a screw threaded aperture that engages with the complimentary screw threaded nozzle 11 on the container 3. The housing 70 includes a channel (not shown) to transfer the contents of the container to a release chamber located beneath the enclosure 2. In use, the container 3 containing the pheromone and poison is connected to either the connector 13 or port 50 or 71. The controller of the trap is adapted to actuate the release member periodically such that a dose of the poison/pheromone from the container 3 is released into the enclosure 2 via the release chamber 14 and vent 15 or orifice 51. As the pheromone and poison are airborne, the pheromone in particular is able to emanate from the enclosure to attract rodents. When a rodent enters the enclosure 2 it will actuate the first sensor, which sends a signal to the controller. Provided that the first sensor remains actuated, activation of the second sensor causes the controller to move the release member such that the poison and pheromone flows from the pressurized container 3 into the enclosure 2. The controller is adapted to actuate the release member for a predetermined amount of time, which corresponds to a sufficient dose to fatally poison the rodent. Once the predetermined period of time has expired the release member returns to its original position to block conduit 12 and prevent further poison/pheromone from entering the enclosure 2. The controller is programmed to wait a predetermined period of time before it once again acts on the signals received from the first sensor and the second sensor. This will allow time for the rodent to leave the trap thereby preventing more poison than necessary being given to the rodent.