A termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces palatable to termites embedded within a water resistant polyurethane foam matrix. Another termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces embedded within a water-absorbent polyurethane foam matrix. Yet another termite bait includes at least one cellulosic food material piece encapsulated within a water resistant polyurethane foam coating. Such termite baits can be used alone or in a monitoring device or other termite control device. Another termite control device includes a container, a cellulosic food material within the container and a water resistant polyurethane foam positioned to separate the food material from its environment. The container can contain a termite bait as described above or can include a chamber containing a cellulosic food material and at least one pocket containing a polyurethane foam barrier to reduce intrusion of water through the pocket to the food material.

Embodiments of systems and approaches for managing post-harvest crop quality and pests are described. Such a system may include a plurality of edge devices each comprising sensor components and collectively forming a mesh network, for measuring the local physical environment within stored crops and, for example, transmitting the measurements to a service from within the crop storage area. In certain embodiments, such a system may be used to manage post-harvest crops and storage areas—for example, approaches are described for determining fumigation treatment duration, determining phosphine dosage, determining heat treatment duration, and determining safe storage time for crops.

An insect trap includes an exothermic body, and a layered body. The exothermic body is configured to include exothermic powder enclosed in an inner bag that is air permeable; the exothermic powder contains iron powder that releases heat when oxidized. The layered body is configured with layers of plate-like elements and includes gaps as a pathway of entry for an insect pest. A housing space to house the exothermic body is arranged inside the layered body. The layered body and the inner bag are made of a biodegradable raw material.

A pet feeder is provided to redirect pests such as insects and bugs attracted to the scent of exposed pet food, trap the redirected pests, and further prevent untrapped pests from contaminating any exposed pet food. The feeder may comprise a hollow holder configured to suspend a portion of a pet food receptacle in the hollow space. Such holder may comprise a plurality of apertures disposed thereon, and UV lights and attractive scents may be provided to redirect the pests from the pet food by attracting them into the hollow interior of the holder. Then, the pests may be trapped in the hollow interior by way of replaceable traps such as flypaper. Additionally, fans may be disposed on the holder and configured to define a forceful barrier that prevents any untrapped pests from contaminating pet food by the entering a space immediately above the pet feeder.

A pet feeder is provided to redirect pests such as insects and bugs attracted to the scent of exposed pet food, trap the redirected pests, and further prevent untrapped pests from contaminating any exposed pet food. The feeder may comprise a hollow holder configured to suspend a portion of a pet food receptacle in the hollow space. Such holder may comprise a plurality of apertures disposed thereon, and UV lights and attractive scents may be provided to redirect the pests from the pet food by attracting them into the hollow interior of the holder. Then, the pests may be trapped in the hollow interior by way of replaceable traps such as flypaper. Additionally, fans may be disposed on the holder and configured to define a forceful barrier that prevents any untrapped pests from contaminating pet food by the entering a space immediately above the pet feeder.

A pest control and/or detection system generally includes an electrically conductive bait matrix including at least one carrier material that is at least one of palatable, a phagostimulant and/or consumable and/or displaceable by pests, and a plurality of electrically conductive particles. The electrically conductive particles are substantially randomly interspersed throughout the at least one carrier material. The at least one carrier material includes a thermoplastic material and/or a resin.

A pest control and/or detection system generally includes an electrically conductive bait matrix including at least one carrier material that is at least one of palatable, a phagostimulant and/or consumable and/or displaceable by pests, and a plurality of electrically conductive particles. The electrically conductive particles are substantially randomly interspersed throughout the at least one carrier material. The at least one carrier material includes a thermoplastic material and/or a resin.

A pest control device comprising a capacitive sensor array including a plurality of sensor pads, the capacitive sensor array being configured to generate an electrical output signal indicating the state of each sensor pad, and an electronic controller electrically connected to the capacitive sensor array, the electronic controller including a processor and a memory including a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive the electrical output signals from the capacitive sensor array, determine a measured capacitance value for each sensor pad based on each electrical output signal, calculate a baseline for each sensor pad based on the measured capacitance value of the sensor pad, determine whether a difference between the measured capacitance value of at least one sensor pad and its corresponding baseline exceeds a first predetermined threshold, update a counter when the first predetermined threshold is exceeded, and record an event indicative of a presence of a pest when the counter exceeds a predetermined limit.

A pest control device comprising a capacitive sensor array including a plurality of sensor pads, the capacitive sensor array being configured to generate an electrical output signal indicating the state of each sensor pad, and an electronic controller electrically connected to the capacitive sensor array, the electronic controller including a processor and a memory including a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive the electrical output signals from the capacitive sensor array, determine a measured capacitance value for each sensor pad based on each electrical output signal, calculate a baseline for each sensor pad based on the measured capacitance value of the sensor pad, determine whether a difference between the measured capacitance value of at least one sensor pad and its corresponding baseline exceeds a first predetermined threshold, update a counter when the first predetermined threshold is exceeded, and record an event indicative of a presence of a pest when the counter exceeds a predetermined limit.

This invention relates to particles (1) with a controllable release of at least one pheromone, wherein a) the particle (1) has a core (2) which is surrounded by one or more layers (4, 6), and b) the core (2) and at least one layer (4, 6) surrounding the core (2) comprises at least one pheromone to be released, wherein the core (2) and/or at least one layer (4, 6) surrounding the core (2) comprises a substrate for binding or for absorbing the at least one pheromone to be released, wherein the substrate is capable of dispensing the absorbed pheromone in a delayed manner, and the substrate comprises zeolite.