A remote notification electronic rodent trapping system and method is provided having a plurality of rearming electronic rodent trapping devices configured to wirelessly communicate trap information to a base station that is in communication with a cloud server. When a trap is activated by a rodent trigger it changes from a set state to a kill alert state and initiates a killing cycle. The trap waits a first time period and then sends a notification signal to the base station of trap activation which the base station forwards to the cloud server. The cloud server waits a second predetermined time period before sending a pushed notification to a remote user of the trap's kill alert state. If the trap rearms prior to expiration of the second time period, it alerts the base station which notifies the cloud server. The cloud server updates trap status to the set state and does not send a notification to the user.

The present improved animal trap and unique catch release mechanism eliminates substantial eating or removal of the bait without the trap activating and provides a dual means to activate the trap. This is accomplished by the present catch release mechanism having a sliding member which slides within a hole through the platform of the trap under the influence of gravity and a prop which holds at least a portion of the trap platform above a support surface. When the prop is destabilized by an external force, the prop's support of the platform is disturbed, permitting the platform to fall toward the support surface. The platform falls relative to the sliding member; and the sliding member is forced toward the catch by contact with the support surface, thus pushing the catch so that the catch releases the holding arm bar to activate the trap.

The present improved animal trap and unique catch release mechanism eliminates substantial eating or removal of the bait without the trap activating and provides a dual means to activate the trap. This is accomplished by the present catch release mechanism having a sliding member which slides within a hole through the platform of the trap under the influence of gravity and a prop which holds at least a portion of the trap platform above a support surface. When the prop is destabilized by an external force, the prop's support of the platform is disturbed, permitting the platform to fall toward the support surface. The platform falls relative to the sliding member; and the sliding member is forced toward the catch by contact with the support surface, thus pushing the catch so that the catch releases the holding arm bar to activate the trap.

A means for transporting objects comprising a wrist strap and a tether, the tether configured to be coupled with the object to be transported. The tether may be configured for looping around the object, or for coupling with via removable fastener such as a gate lock. Wrist strap and tether may be substantially flexible or substantially rigid, depending on the needs of the user or the application. Wrist strap may be adjustable in diameter and may be fastened through any means of temporary fastening for cloth-like materials, such as hook-and-loop or snaps. Tether may be removably coupled with wrist strap, may be adjustable in length, and may be interchangeable for different applications. Wrist strap and tether may be configured for carrying heavy weights or withstanding particular environmental conditions such as freezing temperatures. Wrist strap may be padded and may have skin-protective qualities on the surface facing the user's wrist.

A means for transporting objects comprising a wrist strap and a tether, the tether configured to be coupled with the object to be transported. The tether may be configured for looping around the object, or for coupling with via removable fastener such as a gate lock. Wrist strap and tether may be substantially flexible or substantially rigid, depending on the needs of the user or the application. Wrist strap may be adjustable in diameter and may be fastened through any means of temporary fastening for cloth-like materials, such as hook-and-loop or snaps. Tether may be removably coupled with wrist strap, may be adjustable in length, and may be interchangeable for different applications. Wrist strap and tether may be configured for carrying heavy weights or withstanding particular environmental conditions such as freezing temperatures. Wrist strap may be padded and may have skin-protective qualities on the surface facing the user's wrist.

Mosquitoes are vectors for many dangerous diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, Yellow Fever, West Nile, and those from Zika virus etc. Mosquito transmitted diseases occur mostly in tropical, developing countries and create public health crises due to lack of adequate resources and rapid transmission. Malaria took 429,000 lives in 2015 and the impending Zika crisis shows the need for effective mosquito control. Nearly half of the world's population is at risk of malaria. Current mosquito control efforts focus on reducing the population of mosquitoes. The many mosquito control strategies such as using tarps to suffocate larvae, insecticides, genetic engineering, biocontrol using fish etc. have substantial drawbacks. These methods are environmentally hazardous, expensive, inefficient, hard to maintain, bulky, or energy intensive. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. They cannot breed in agitated water or running water. Thus, this patent describes water agitators that are environmentally safe, efficient, and cost-effective. In this patent, three water agitators prototypes are presented. They are self-sustaining, lightweight, mobile, and have minimal potential for misuse. The agitators consume solar energy. They are self propelling and do not require maintenance, such as changing parts. They are designed to be inexpensive, reusable, and mass-producible. These agitators can cover a much larger area of water compared to their size. They target small to large water areas. Agitators are versatile and can be used in flower vases, open rain jars, tire tracks, mining pits, small ponds etc.

Mosquitoes are vectors for many dangerous diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, Yellow Fever, West Nile, and those from Zika virus etc. Mosquito transmitted diseases occur mostly in tropical, developing countries and create public health crises due to lack of adequate resources and rapid transmission. Malaria took 429,000 lives in 2015 and the impending Zika crisis shows the need for effective mosquito control. Nearly half of the world's population is at risk of malaria. Current mosquito control efforts focus on reducing the population of mosquitoes. The many mosquito control strategies such as using tarps to suffocate larvae, insecticides, genetic engineering, biocontrol using fish etc. have substantial drawbacks. These methods are environmentally hazardous, expensive, inefficient, hard to maintain, bulky, or energy intensive. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. They cannot breed in agitated water or running water. Thus, this patent describes water agitators that are environmentally safe, efficient, and cost-effective. In this patent, three water agitators prototypes are presented. They are self-sustaining, lightweight, mobile, and have minimal potential for misuse. The agitators consume solar energy. They are self propelling and do not require maintenance, such as changing parts. They are designed to be inexpensive, reusable, and mass-producible. These agitators can cover a much larger area of water compared to their size. They target small to large water areas. Agitators are versatile and can be used in flower vases, open rain jars, tire tracks, mining pits, small ponds etc.

A remote notification electronic rodent trapping system and method is provided having a plurality of rearming electronic rodent trapping devices configured to wirelessly communicate trap information to a base station that is in communication with a cloud server. When a trap is activated by a rodent trigger it changes from a set state to a kill alert state and initiates a killing cycle. The trap waits a first time period and then sends a notification signal to the base station of trap activation which the base station forwards to the cloud server. The cloud server waits a second predetermined time period before sending a pushed notification to a remote user of the trap's kill alert state. If the trap rearms prior to expiration of the second time period, it alerts the base station which notifies the cloud server. The cloud server updates trap status to the set state and does not send a notification to the user.

A remote notification electronic rodent trapping system and method is provided having a plurality of rearming electronic rodent trapping devices configured to wirelessly communicate trap information to a base station that is in communication with a cloud server. When a trap is activated by a rodent trigger it changes from a set state to a kill alert state and initiates a killing cycle. The trap waits a first time period and then sends a notification signal to the base station of trap activation which the base station forwards to the cloud server. The cloud server waits a second predetermined time period before sending a pushed notification to a remote user of the trap's kill alert state. If the trap rearms prior to expiration of the second time period, it alerts the base station which notifies the cloud server. The cloud server updates trap status to the set state and does not send a notification to the user.

Apparatus and methods for monitoring the emergence of soil pests in a two plant system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an emergence cage covers at least a portion of the root system of two plants. The emergence cage includes a frame defining a perimeter, a mesh or screen covering attached to the frame, a first plant opening configured to receive the first plant, a second plant opening configured to receive the second plant, and a collection container for collecting the pest of interest. The pests emerging from the ground under the cage are collected in the collection container, and the number collected is periodically determined.