Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Patent
1987-04-16
1989-11-28
Orsino, Joseph A.
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
340541, 340691, 43 69, G08B 2300
Patent
active
048840645
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and apparatus suitable for use in the control of free-ranging pests. The invention has particular relevance to the control of mice, but may also be useful in the control of other pests, for example, rats or cockroaches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past the control of free-ranging pests such as mice has normally involved placing bait, which may include poison, in places that the pests can be expected to frequent, the supply of bait being replenished from time to time. While replenishment of the bait may not cause problems in relatively small buildings, problems increase in large premises, for example, factories for processing food. Moreover, in both large and small premises it is in many circumstances necessary to take steps to ensure that the bait is not tampered with or swallowed by humans or other animals. The present invention is concerned primarily with alleviating problems that have arisen in connection with methods previously adopted for the control of pests such as mice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method of detecting free-ranging pests without providing an attractant material in which method the presence of a pest is sensed by at least one of a plurality of sensors, a signal is emitted indicating the sensing of a pest by that sensor, and the fact that a signal has been emitted is indicated by an indicating means that is operatively coupled to the sensors.
The invention also provides apparatus for detecting free-ranging pests which apparatus is free from means providing an attractant material and comprises a plurality of sensors for sensing the presence of a pest, each sensor having associated therewith means for signalling that a pest has been sensed by that sensor, and indicating means for indicating that a signal has been emitted, the indicating means being operatively coupled to the sensors.
In accordance with the invention, the presence of a pest in the vicinity of one of the sensors will cause an indication of at least the first such event to be given by the indicating means. Where, as is preferred, the indicating means includes recording means, a record of at least the first such event, and preferably each subsequent event, will be made at the recording means.
The indicating means may include, for example, a warning light so that it is easy to see when an event has taken place. Where the indicating means includes both a warning light and recording means, the arrangement is preferably such that the warning light indicates that a pest has been detected by one of the sensors and that further inspection of the recording means is desirable.
When the indicating means indicates that a pest has been detected, a decision can be taken as to whether a rodenticidal operation should be carried out. If, as is preferred, the indicating means is also capable of indicating which sensor(s) detected the pest(s), a particularly accurate placement of a rodenticidal preparation is possible.
The fact that a rodenticidal operation, for example the placement of a preparation, need not take place until pests have been detected and, with the preferred apparatus, can be restricted to locations where mice or other pests are known to run, constitutes a significant improvement over previously proposed methods of pest control. It will be appreciated that with appropriate apparatus and sufficient sensors it will be possible to identify preferred runways followed by the pests in the premises in which the apparatus is installed, thus facilitating even further the correct placement of a rodenticidal preparation.
As the method and apparatus of the invention do not involve the use of an attractant material such as a foodstuff, the unnecessary introduction of extraneous materials into the areas to be protected is avoided. In accordance with the invention, however, means providing a relatively favoured environment for the pests may be provided in the vicinity of each sensor. The provision of a relatively favoured environment in the
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Jackson Jill D.
Orsino Joseph A.
Rentokil Limited
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