RODENT STATION

Abstract

A housing 10 for a rodent station, the housing 10 being adapted to hold a trap device 18 in a first position and in a second position, wherein the position of the trap device 18 in the first orientation is perpendicular to the position of the trap device 18 in the second orientation.

Claims

1. A housing for a rodent station, the housing being adapted to hold a trap device in a plurality of different orientations.

2. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to hold a trap device in a first position and in a second position, wherein the position of the trap device in the first orientation is perpendicular to the position of the trap device in the second orientation.

3. A housing according to claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a retaining means for releasably retaining a trap device in the housing in the first and second orientations.

4. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a retaining means for releasably retaining a trap device in the housing in the first and second orientations.

5. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to hold two trap devices in the first orientation and the second orientation.

6. A housing according to claim 5, wherein the housing comprises exterior side walls and at least one interior wall, the exterior side walls and at least one interior wall at least partially defining two catching zones, wherein each catching zone is adapted to retain a trap device in the first orientation and the second orientation.

7. A housing according to any claim 6, wherein in the first orientation, the catching zones are adapted to retain two trap devices in an end-to-end arrangement and in the second orientation, the catching zones are adapted to retain two trap devices in a side-by-side arrangement.

8. A housing according to claim 5, wherein each catching zone is substantially L-shaped.

9. A housing according to any claim 8, wherein in the first orientation, the catching zones are adapted to retain two trap devices in an end-to-end arrangement and in the second orientation, the catching zones are adapted to retain two trap devices in a side-by-side arrangement.

10. A rodent station comprising a housing and a trap device, wherein the trap device is removably retainable in the housing in a first orientation or a second orientation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a rodent trap housing retaining two trap devices in a first orientation; and

[0024] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the rodent trap housing of FIG. 1, retaining the trap devices in a second orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a rodent trap housing 10 having a base 12 and side walls 14. The housing also comprises a lid, which has been removed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lid is removable from the housing 10 to provide access to the interior of the housing 10. A user may remove the lid to open the housing 10 to insert trap devices 18. When the trap devices 18 are set and in the desired locations, the lid may be replaced by the user.

[0026] The base 12 is substantially rectangular. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 is adapted to hold two conventional rodent snap trap devices 18 at one time. A conventional rodent snap trap device comprises a rectangular base, a trigger plate arranged at one end of the base, and a spring-loaded trapping bar.

[0027] The housing 10 comprises two openings 20a, 20b provided on opposing side walls 14, for allowing rodents to enter the housing 10. The interior of the housing 10 comprises two entry regions 22a, 22b and two catching zones 24a, 24b. Each entry region 22a, 22b is adjacent an opening 20a, 20b. Each catching zone 24a, 24b is adapted to hold one snap trap device 18, either in a first orientation, as shown in FIG. 1, or a second orientation, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] In the first orientation, as shown in FIG. 1, the snap trap devices 18 are oriented in the housing 10 in an end-to-end arrangement. In the second orientation, as shown in FIG. 2, the snap trap devices 18 are oriented in the housing 10 in a side-by-side arrangement.

[0029] The housing comprises two interior walls 26a, 26b. First and second interior walls 26a, 26b define paths from the first and second openings 20a, 20b to the first and second catching zones 24a, 2b respectively. A first interior wall 26a defines a path from the first opening 20a, through the entry region 22a, into the first catching zone 24a. A second interior wall 26b defines a path from the second opening 20b, through the second entry region 22b and into the second catching zone 24b.

[0030] The interior walls 26a, 26b direct a rodent towards a trigger plate end of a snap trap device 18 in the catching zones 24a, 24b and prevent the rodent from accessing the catching zones 24a, 24b at the other end of the snap trap device 18.

[0031] In the first orientation, trap devices 18 may be arranged parallel to the two interior walls 26a, 26b. In the second orientation, trap devices 18 may be arranged at the end of each interior wall 26a, 26b, perpendicular to the interior walls 26a, 26b. In the first orientation, a side wall 14 and the interior walls 26a, 26b act to retain the trap devices 18 in the desired position. In the second orientation, opposing side walls 14 at each end of the trap devices 18 act to retain the trap devices 18 in the desired position.

[0032] The length of the housing 10 from the first opening 20a to the second opening 20b is greater than the length of two trap devices in the end-to-end arrangement. The width of the interior of the housing 10 is approximately the length of one rodent trap device.

[0033] The base 12 is substantially flat and the interior walls 26a, 26b are upstanding from the base 12. The interior walls 26a, 26b extend from the base 12 towards the lid of the housing 10; the height of the interior walls 26a, 26b is approximately the height of the side walls 14.

[0034] If the trap device in the first catching zone 24a is not triggered, the rodent entering the first catching zone 24a from the first entry region 22a will be trapped in that trap device. If the trap device in the first catching zone 24a has been triggered, a rodent may then enter the second catching zone 24b from the first catching zone 24a, and may be trapped in a trap device in the second catching zone 24b. A rodent may also enter the second catching zone 24b from the second opening 20b.