Improvements in pest control

Abstract

Pest control downpipe cover receiving at least part of a downpipe. A top wall 104 and at least one sidewall (112, figure 4) with an opening 140 for pest entry forms an interior volume comprising a tra

Description

Technical Field [0001 ] The present application is concerned with a pest control apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a pest control apparatus that is designed to be unobtrusive. Background Art

[0002] Pests such as rodents are common in domestic and commercial settings. In particular, mice and rats are attracted to food sources, and in particular areas where food is prepared, served and disposed of. This is problematic as the presence of rodents is unhygienic.

[0003] Several solutions have been proposed in the prior art. Bait stations are provided which may contain poison for the rodents to ingest. Such stations typically comprise an enclosed container with entries / exits and poison disposed inside. The enclosure is contained to prevent the poison from being unintentionally contacted or spreading to unwanted areas.

[0004] Traps may also be provided in which the pest is attracted by a scent or food source, and a mechanical device traps the pest in a fatal or non-fatal manner.

[0005] A problem with bait stations and traps is that they are generally quite large (for rats in particular) and easily visible. For e.g. restaurants, their presence is off-putting to customers, and although such pests are common, may imply a lack of hygiene.

[0006] It is an aim of the present invention to overcome, or at least mitigate the aforementioned problem. Summary of Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pest control apparatus comprising a downpipe cover defining a formation for receiving at least part of a downpipe, the downpipe cover having: a top wall; at least one sidewall defining at least one further opening for entry of pests; an internal volume defined by the top wall and at least one side wall; wherein within the volume there is provided at least one of: a bait area comprising upwardly facing surface for receiving pest attractant, poison, food or a tracking substance; and, trap means for trapping a pest within the volume.

[0008] Advantageously the present invention takes advantage of the fat that pest (especially rodent) runs are along the bottom edge of walls. As such, positioning a bait station or trap around a downpipe provides synergistic dual functionality.

[0009] Preferably the internal volume is U-shaped around the formation for receiving at least part of the downpipe.

[0010] Preferably the at least one further opening is positioned at least partially in line with the formation for receiving at least part ofthe downpipe, thus forcing a pest to make at least one turn to reach the bait area or trap. [0011 ] Preferably an opening for entry of pests is provided in each ofthe side walls.

[0012] Preferably a line between the openings for the entry of pests intersects a downpipe received in the formation for receiving the downpipe.

[0013] Preferably there is provided an openable closure for access to the volume. Preferably the openable closure is a hinged lid. Preferably the openable closure comprises a lock.

[0014] Preferably the formation for receiving at least part of a downpipe is a recess extending from a rear wall ofthe apparatus.

[0015] Preferably the formation is configured for receiving the full depth of a downpipe such that the rear wall contacts a building wall to which the downpipe is mounted in use.

[0016] Preferably the formation comprises a recess having a semicircular end portion having a first radius, and is at least two radii deep.

[0017] According to a second aspect there is provided a method of catching or killing pests comprising the steps of: providing a pest control apparatus according to any preceding claim; positioning the pest control apparatus with at least part of a downpipe received in the formation for receiving at least part of the downpipe; allowing a pest to enter the at least one further opening, and to interact with the at least one of the bait area and the trap means.

[0018] Preferably the pest control apparatus is positioned adjacent a wall. Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figure in which: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a first pest control apparatus in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan section view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a side section view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 along line Ill-Ill in FIGURE 2; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 in use. Description of the first embodiment Configuration

[0020] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 there is provided a pest control apparatus 1 00 according to the present invention. The apparatus 100 comprises a box-like body 102 having a top wall 1 04, a bottom wall 106, a front wall 108, a rear wall 11 0 and sidewalls 112, 114. [0021 ] The top wall 104 has a rear edge 116 from which a cutout slot 11 8 extends having a rounded (semicircular) end region 120 of radius R. The slot 118 is >2R deep so it can receive a downpipe of at least radius R. A hinge 122 is provided midway along the top wall 104 such that a front section 124 can be lifted to access the interior of the body 102. A partially lifted front section 124 is shown in dashed lines in Figure 3.

[0022] The bottom wall 106 has a rear edge 126 from which a rectangular cutout slot 128 extends.

[0023] The rear wall 110 has an opening 130 for receiving a downpipe. The opening 130 is in communication with the slots 118, 128 to form a downpipe recess 132 in the body 102. The rear wall 110 also defines two optional anchor loops 150, 152.

[0024] An internal wall 134 is provided around the downpipe recess 132, separating the recess from an internal volume 136 of the body 1 02. The volume 136 takes on a U-shaped form around the internal wall 134 having a first entry / exit region 142, a second entry / exit region 1 44 and a central region 1 46.

[0025] Each of the sidewalls 112, 114 defines an opening 138, 140 respectively. The openings are towards the rear wall 110 and in line with the internal wall 134. They are in communication with the internal volume 136.

[0026] In this embodiment, a bait tray 148 is provided in the central region 146.

[0027] Preferably the apparatus is constructed from a moulded plastics material, although it may also be metal or a composite material such as GFRP. Use

[0028] Referring to Figure 4, the apparatus 1 00 can be used to cover a downpipe 10 and drain 12 adjacent a wall 14. The apparatus 1 00 is slid into engagement with the downpipe 10 such that the downpipe 10 enters the downpipe recess 132. The body 102 at least partially covers the drain 12. The optional anchor loops 150, 152 may be used to attach the apparatus 1 00 to the wall and / or downpipe using ties or similar to prevent unauthorised removal.

[0029] The front section 124 acts as a lid, which can be opened per Figure 3 so that a user can place bait and poison on the tray 148. The lid is then closed. A lock is provided such that access to the volume 136 is generally prohibited, exceptto authorised users.

[0030] Pests such as rodents tend to run along the bottom of walls ("runs"). When doing so, they will encounterthe apparatus 100 as it is positioned around a downpipe (which are also positioned next to walls). They are attracted by the smell of the bait and enterthe apparatus via one of the openings 138, 140. They are then able to access the bait and poison. [0031 ] It will be noted that due to the U-shaped form of the volume 136 the pests musttake a non-direct or serpentine route R around the internal wall 134 (Figure 2). This means that the bait or poison is not accessible by a person reaching into the openings 138, 140 (for example a child).

[0032] The fact that the U-shape is created by the downpipe recess 132 makes the device compact and well suited to fulfilling two needs at the same time. Description of the second embodiment

[0033] In a second embodiment of the invention (not depicted) the tray 148 is replaced by a fatal or non-fatal trap. Variations

[0034] Instead of loops 1 50,152, openings may be provided inthe apparatus for facilitating attachment to the wall 14.

Claims

1. A pest control apparatus comprising a downpipe cover defining a formation for receiving at least part of a downpipe, the downpipe cover having:a top wall;at least one sidewall defining at least one opening for entry of pests;an internal volume defined by the top wall and at least one side wall;wherein within the volume there is provided at least one of:a bait area comprising upwardly facing surface for receiving pest attractant, poison, food or a tracking substance; and,trap means for trapping a pest within the volume.

2. A pest control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the internal volume is U-shaped around the formation for receiving at least part of the downpipe.

3. A pest control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the opening is positioned at least partially in line with the formation for receiving at least part of the downpipe, thus forcing a pest to make at least one turn to reach the bait area or trap.

4. A pest control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an opening for entry I exit of pests is provided in each of the side walls.

5. A pest control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a line between the openings for the entry of pests intersects a downpipe received in the formation for receiving the downpipe.

6. A pest control apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising an openable closure for access to the volume.

7. A pest control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the openable closure is a hinged lid.

8. A pest control apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the openable closure comprises a lock.

9. A pest control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the formation for receiving at least part of a downpipe is a recess extending from a rear wall of the apparatus.

10. A pest control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the formation is configured for receiving the full depth of a downpipe such that the rear wall contacts a building wall to which the downpipe is mounted in use.

11. A pest control apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the formation comprises a recess having a semicircular end portion having a first radius, and is at least two radii deep.

12. A pest control apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises means for facilitating attachment to a wall or downpipe in use to prevent unauthorised removal.

13. A pest control apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the means comprises an opening for receiving a member attached to the wall or downpipe.

14. A method of catching or killing pests comprising the steps of:providing a pest control apparatus according to any preceding claim;positioning the pest control apparatus with at least part of a downpipe received in the formation for receiving at least part of the downpipe;allowing a pest to enter the at least one further opening, and to interact with the at least one of the bait area and the trap means.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the pest control apparatus is positioned adjacent a wall.

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