WO2013064146A1

WO2013064146A1 - Automatically reloadable rodent trap

Info

Publication number: WO2013064146A1
Application number: PCT/DK2011/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leif Bank NIELSEN; Marco Schaefer
Original assignee: Nielsen Leif Bank; Marco Schaefer
Priority date: 2011-11-04
Filing date: 2011-11-04
Publication date: 2013-05-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1), said trap (1) comprising - a compartment (2) defined by one or more walls (3), said compartment (2) comprising an inlet (4) for receiving a rodent (8), - at least one mechanical killing arrangement (5) for killing said rodent (8), - triggering means (6) for triggering said mechanical killing arrangement (5), said triggering means (6) comprising at least one sensor (7) configured for detecting a rodent (8) in said compartment (2), and a disposal arrangement (9) for automatically disposing a killed rodent (8) into a container (12) for accumulating rodents (8) killed by said trap (1), said method comprising the steps of - receiving a rodent (8) by means of said inlet (4), - detecting said rodent (8) by means of said triggering mechanism (6), - triggering said mechanical killing arrangement (5) so as to kill said rodent (8) in said compartment (2), - by means of said disposal arrangement (9) automatically disposing said killed rodent (11) into said container (12), and automatically reloading said trap (1) so as to enable subsequent killing of a another rodent (8) by said trap (1). The invention furthermore relates to a trap adapted for operating in accordance with the above mentioned method of killing rodents.

Description

AUTOMATICALLY RELOADABLE RODENT TRAP

Technical area

The invention relates to a trap for killing multiple rodents and a method of operating said trap.

Background of the invention

It is known to kill rodents, such as rats or mice, with a trap. However, the trap may only kill a single rodent before it must be manually reloaded.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a trap that is adapted for killing multiple rodents.

Brief description

The invention related to a method of killing rodents by means of a trap,

said trap comprising

- a compartment defined by one or more walls, said compartment comprising an inlet for receiving a rodent,

- at least one mechanical killing arrangement for killing said rodent,

- triggering means for triggering said mechanical killing arrangement, said triggering means comprising at least one sensor configured for detecting a rodent in said compartment, and

- a disposal arrangement for automatically disposing a killed rodent into a container for accumulating rodents killed by said trap,

said method comprising the steps of

- receiving a rodent by means of said inlet,

- detecting said rodent by means of said triggering mechanism,

- triggering said mechanical killing arrangement so as to kill said rodent in said compartment,

- by means of said disposal arrangement automatically disposing said killed rodent into said container, and - automatically reloading said trap so as to enable subsequent killing of another rodent by said trap.

The compartment defined by one or more walls is to be understood as an inner space of the trap into which the rodent may move. Preferably, the compartment is arranged such that the width of the compartment is not too large compared to the width of the rodent. Thereby, an advantageous situation may arise, where the path of the rodent is sufficiently fixed with respect to the transversal position of said compartment, and such that said at least one sensor will detect the rodent in a specific transversal position in the compartment. By a mechanical killing arrangement is to be understood an arrangement adapted to performing killing of rodents by mechanical killing means. Such mechanical killing means may kill the rodent by means of striking, stabbing, cutting or otherwise inflicting physical damage to the rodent. Furthermore, the mechanical killing element may be a blunt object inflicting blunt force trauma, or a sharp or pointed object inflicting penetrating damage.

An advantage of the trap being provided with a disposal arrangement is that the trap may automatically dispose dead rodents from the compartment of the trap, thereby allowing passage through the compartment for further rodents. Furthermore, since trap is automatically reloaded after killing a rodent, it may kill the further rodent passing through the trap. Hereby a more effective trap for killing rodents is provided, especially for areas with a density of rodents. Also, since the rodents instantly or at least within a matter of few seconds, the rodents will not move to an unknown position outside the trap before dying, but will be located in the trap. Another advantageous effect of the trap according to the invention is that it accumulates the dead rodents in or at least near the trap. Thereby, the dead rodents may easily be collected in said container and disposed.

In one aspect of the invention, the killing element is a blunt object inflicting substantially non-penetrating and blunt force trauma. An advantage of this aspect is that the dead rodent is substantially un-penetrated, i.e. the dead rodent leaks substantially no blood or intestines. Thereby, only a minimum of cleaning of the trap is necessary.

In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said container is a bag. An advantage of this aspect is that a bag, such as a plastic bag, may more easily be replaced. Furthermore, since it is flexible, it may be easier to open and close thereby providing a re-closeable container for receiving dead rodents. Finally, said bag may be a disposable bag, thereby allowing the dead rodent to be disposed from the trap in the bag without coming in direct contact with the rodent, since the bag is also disposed along with the one or more dead rodents.

In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said disposing arrangement of said trap comprises

- an closable opening in the wall of said compartment, and

- a displacement element adapted for displacing the dead rodent through said opening.

Furthermore, said step of automatically disposing said killed rodent comprises

- opening said opening,

- displacing said dead rodent from said compartment through said opening, and - closing said opening.

According to the above mentioned aspect of the invention, the dead rodent is automatically disposed through a closable opening in the wall in the compartment. Thereby, the dead rodent is displaced from inside the compartment to outside the compartment. Preferably, it is displaced to a position from which manual disposal is easy. This may be a position inside or outside the trap. Also, it may be a position inside a container adapted for receiving dead rodents. By displacing the dead rodent into such a container, the dead rodent may manually be disposed from the trap or from a position near the trap without being in direct contact with the dead rodent. In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said mechanical killing arrangement comprises a killing element adapted for pivoting from a first position across a substantial part of the inner space of said compartment to a second position. Furthermore, according to this aspect of the invention said killing element pivots from said first position to said second position when triggered by said triggering means. The killing element may preferably have a length such that it extends through a substantial part of the inner space of the compartment. By a substantial part is meant at least half of the inner space by cross-sectional area, preferably at least 70% of the inner space, more preferably at least 80 %, and even more preferably at least 90 %. In one aspect of the invention, the killing element is an elongated element. Such an elongated element may preferably be made in a hard material, such as a metal.

In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said at least one killing element is tensioned by at least one tension means, said triggering means comprises a retention element adapted for fixing said killing element in said first position, and said retention element being adapted for releasing said killing element when said triggering means triggers said mechanical killing arrangement. Furthermore, according to this aspect said step of triggering said mechanical killing arrangement comprises retracting said retention element so as to release said killing element.

In the above described aspect of the invention, tension means is used store energy. Such tension means may e.g. be a spring, or another elastic element adapted to store potential energy, and which may release at least a substantial part of this potential energy when triggered, such that this substantial part is converted to kinetic energy of the killing element of the mechanical killing arrangement. In an alternative aspect of the invention, other means adapted to store energy may be used instead of the tension means. Such other means may e.g. be weight blocks that may be lowered or lifted in order convert energy from potential to kinetic form. The retention means that is described in the above aspect of the invention may move from a first retention element position to a second retention element position, where said retention element being in said first position retains the movement of said killing element, and wherein said killing element may move from said first position to said second position unaffected by said retention element, when said retention element is in said second retention element position.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, said trap comprises opening means for opening said opening of said compartment, said opening means being provided with engagement means for engaging said mechanical killing arrangement. Furthermore, in this aspect of the invention said step of automatically disposing said dead rodent comprises said engagement means engaging said killing element of said mechanical killing arrangement. Finally, said step of automatically reloading said trap comprises displacing said killing element to at least said first position.

By said engagement means of said opening means engaging said mechanical killing arrangement, energy is transferred from said opening means via said engagement means to said mechanical killing arrangement thereby automatically reloading said trap.

It is according to another advantageous aspect of the invention provided that said displacement element is a pushing element, said pushing element being adapted for pushing said dead rodent through said opening in said wall of said compartment.

In one further advantageous aspect of the invention, said bag is re-closable, and said step of automatically disposing said dead rodent comprises

- automatically opening said bag,

- displacing said dead rodent into said bag by said displacement element, and - automatically closing said bag. In an advantageous aspect of the invention, said step of automatically disposing said killed rodent and said step of automatically reloading said trap are driven by electrical means, said electrical means receiving energy from an electrical power source.

According to an aspect of the invention, said pushing element pushes said dead rodent in a substantially horizontal direction. This may correspond to a substantially horizontal movement of said dead rodent or to a substantially horizontal direction of movement of said pushing element. An advantage of this aspect is that a substantially horizontal displacement has a smaller energy cost compared to a horizontal displacement.

According to an aspect of the invention, potential energy in said tension means is provided from an energy source, such as a battery, powering both the disposal means displacing said dead rodent from the compartment and said opening means opening in said compartment. It is an advantage of this aspect of the invention, that energy for the step of automatically disposing said dead rodent and for the step of automatically reloading said trap comes from the same energy source, e.g. from the same battery.

An advantage of the above mentioned aspect may be that the trap is simpler and cheaper to construct since only a single power source is needed, e.g. a single battery. However, a block of connected batteries, such as serial and/or parallel coupled batteries may be perceived as a single power source according to this aspect.

In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said electrical power source comprises

- a battery, said battery supplying energy for operation of said trap, and

- a solar cell, said solar cell being adapted for recharging said battery when exposed to electromagnetic radiation.

In an alternative embodiment the trap may be connected a battery without any solar cell, or to the electricity utility grid, or to other power sources. An advantage of the above mentioned embodiment of the invention may be that the solar cell may at least partly supply the energy for the operation of the trap. It may recharge the battery when it is exposed to light or electromagnetic radiation suitable for recharging the solar cell; then, the battery may supply the trap with electrical power. Thereby, changing of batteries may be avoided or at least it may only be necessary to change batteries more infrequent than if no solar cells where connected to the trap.

In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said inlet of said compartment is a first inlet, said compartment furthermore comprises a second inlet for receiving a rodent, and a line of sight exists through said compartment, said line of sight extending from said the first inlet to said second inlet. Furthermore, in this aspect of the invention the step of receiving a rodent by means of said inlet comprises receiving a rodent by one of said first inlet and said second inlet.

According to the above aspect, the inlets may be opposing inlets. Also, the line of sight may be a direct line from the first inlet to the second inlet. However, the line of sight may alternatively not extend along a straight line, but may change direction in discrete points and e.g. bend around corners, with the use of reflective materials, such as a mirror.

According to an alternative aspect of the invention, a line of sight from first inlet through said compartment at out of the trap exists. This according to this alternative aspect, the line of sight does not necessarily exit the compartment through a second inlet, but may exit through e.g. a window covered with a material that is at least partly transparent or translucent. Such a material may e.g. be a glass material, a plastic material, or a grid-like material, such as a net, with openings that are too small for the rodent to escape through them. In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said sensor is placed between said killing element and said inlet. According to an aspect of the invention further to the above aspect, the distance from said sensor to said mechanical killing arrangement corresponds at least substantially to the distance between the snout and the neck of said rodent. Thereby, it is secured that the rodent will received the stroke in the neck. A stroke to the neck provides an effective killing of the rodent, and therefore a trap according to this aspect may be more effective in killing rodents.

In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said sensor is a first sensor, said killing element is a first killing element, said triggering means comprises a second sensor, said mechanical killing arrangement comprises a second killing elements, and said second sensor is placed between said second killing element and said second inlet.

Furthermore, according to this aspect, said triggering means is adapted for triggering said mechanical killing arrangement comprising a first killing element and a second killing element when said rodent has been detected by both said first sensor and said second sensor, and said step of detecting said rodent by said triggering means comprises

- detecting said rodent by one of said sensors of said triggering means and

- detecting said rodent by the other of said sensors of said triggering means before said step of triggering said mechanical killing arrangement.

The above mention aspect of the invention may comprise a logical AND gate or similar means, in which a signal from the first sensor is correlated with a signal from the second sensor. Thereby, an output signal of the AND gate or the similar means may indicate when both of the sensors have detected the presence of the rodent.

In a further aspect of the invention, detecting the rodent by a first and a second sensor will give the direction of movement of the rodent. Having the direction of movement, it may be advantageous to trigger only the second killing element that corresponds to the second sensor, thereby saving the energy cost of reloading the first killing element. In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said triggering means furthermore comprises resetting means, said resetting means being adapted for automatically resetting said triggering means after a predefined time period after said rodent is detected by said one of said sensors, and said step of detecting said rodent by said triggering means comprises resetting said triggering means if said rodent is not detected by said other of said sensors within said predetermined time period after being detected by said one of said sensors. The predetermined time period of the above described aspect may be e.g. 20 seconds. Alternatively it may e.g. be 5, 10, 30, 45, or 60 seconds, or another time period. By resetting the triggering means after this predetermined time period, an advantageous aspect arises. Since the rodent may enter the trap through a first inlet and be detected by a first sensor and then exit the trap through the same first inlet, before being detected by the second sensor, the trap may wait for another rodent to be detected by this second sensor, and then trigger the mechanical killing arrangement when even in the rodent has entered through the second inlet. However, when resetting means are incorporated in the trap, the trap will after the predetermined time period be ready for receiving another rodent.

In relation to this aspect, the trap or the resetting means may comprise timer means for measuring the time after said one of said sensors detects said rodent.

In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said walls of said compartment of said trap constitutes the inner surface of a tunnel, said tunnel extending from said first inlet to said second inlet, and said step of killing said rodent comprises killing said rodent in said tunnel.

In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said part of said compartment corresponding to the position of said killed rodent having a bottom elevated part being elevated. Furthermore, according to this aspect of the invention said step of displacing said dead rodent comprises pushing said dead rodent by said pushing element, and said dead rodent falling from said bottom elevated part of said compartment when being pushed by said pushing element, to a lower position, said lower position being lower than said bottom elevated part of said compartment.

Further to this aspect of the invention, said bottom part of said compartment of said trap corresponding to the position of said killed rodent is elevated, e.g. relative to the bottom part of said compartment at the at least one inlet. In one advantageous aspect of the invention, said sensor of said triggering means is an optical sensor.

By optical sensor is meant a sensor detecting electromagnetic radiation, said electromagnetic radiation being from the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum, or from other parts. In some embodiments, the sensor may comprise aside from a detecting part detecting electromagnetic radiation, an emitting part emitting electromagnetic radiation, said detecting part detecting electromagnetic radiation at least partly established on the basis of said emitting part. In alternative aspects, the sensor may e.g. be one of a heat sensor, a mechanical sensor, a movement sensor, or a pressure sensor, or another sensor capable of detecting said rodent.

In one aspect of the invention, said trap comprises aroma dispensing means, said aroma dispensing means being adapted for dispensing aroma, said aroma being alluring to rodents. Such aroma dispensing means may e.g. be placed in said compartment of said trap.

In one aspect of the invention, a surveillance system for surveillance of rodents is provided, wherein a plurality of traps according to the invention send a status, e.g. when the trap is triggered, and wherein the surveillance system monitors the activity of rodents. This activity may e.g. be in relation to a position of the traps and/or a time of day, or time of the year etc. The system may also provide a route or a sequence in which one or more central maintenance personnel should visit the plurality of traps.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the trap may send a status report to an external unit. Such a status report may e.g. comprise a number of time being triggered, a number of times being reset by resetting means, or other data. The status report may be send at regular intervals, or be event triggered. It may also be transmitted if the trap is in a fault mode and needs inspection. The status report may also comprise other data, such as e.g. a position, such as a position from a positioning device such as a GPS unit. The status report may e.g. be transmitted via SMS, MMS, radio waves, or by other wireless means.

The invention furthermore relates to a trap for killing rodents, said trap comprises

- a mechanical killing arrangement for killing said rodent,

- a disposal arrangement for automatically disposing a killed rodent into a container for accumulating rodents killed by said trap.

In one further advantageous aspect of the invention, said trap is being configured for operating according to any of described aspects.

Brief description of the drawing

An embodiment of the present invention will in the following be described with reference to the drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a top-down view of a trap,

Figure 2 shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of the trap,

Figure 3 shows a simplified flowchart illustrating the operation of the trap,

Figure 4 illustrates a more detailed top-down view of a trap,

Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the trap,

Figure 6 A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the trap in a first configuration, Figure 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the trap in a second configuration, Figure 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the trap in a third configuration, Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the trap. Description of the invention

Referring to figure 1 , a trap 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The trap 1 is adapted for killing of rodents 8, such as mice or rats. The trap 1 comprises a compartment 2, triggering means 6, a mechanical killing arrangement 5, disposal means, and a container 12. The compartment 2 is defined by one or more walls 3. Triggering means 6 comprises a sensor 7 for detecting the rodent 8. According to an embodiment of the invention the trap 1 operates by receiving a rodent 8 by the inlet 4 of the trap 1. The rodent 8 then moves through the compartment 2 until it reaches a position opposite the sensor 7, i.e. to a position where the sensor 7 detects the rodent 8. This will in most embodiments mean that the snout 18 of the rodent 8 is opposite the sensor 7, but of course any part of the rodent 8 may be detected by the sensor 7. When the rodent 8 is detected by the sensor 7, the triggering means 6 triggers the mechanical killing arrangement 5, which kills the rodent 8. When the rodent 8 is killed, the dead rodent 1 1 is automatically disposed from the compartment 2 by means of the disposal arrangement 9. The disposal arrangement 9 automatically disposes the rodent 8 into a container 12 adapted for receiving at least one rodent 8. In various embodiments, the trap 1 may be adapted for killing a specific rodent 8, such as a mouse or a rat, and therefore the size of the parts of the trap 1 may be adapted to the size of the specific rodent 8. These size- adapted parts may e.g. be the compartment 2, the inlet 4, the mechanical killing arrangement 5, the disposal arrangement 9, and the container 12 for accumulating dead rodents 1 1. In the embodiment shown on figure 1 , the container 12 is shown to be a part of the trap 1. However, in some embodiments, the container 12 may be arranged external from the trap 1.

Referring to figure 2, a flowchart illustrating the operational algorithm or control sequence of the trap 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. This operation may e.g. be performed by a controller 52 in cooperation with one or more sensors 7a and 7b and electrical means 32. The first step of the operation is step Al of initiating the trap 1. Such a step will be performed e.g. after startup if the trap 1 has been turned off, or after restart of the trap 1. Next, step CI comprises checking the state of the sensors 7 if one of sensor 7a or 7b is trigged. By a sensor 7a or 7b being trigged is meant that the sensor 7a or 7b has detected a rodent 8. The step A2 comprises starting a timer. By starting a timer is meant that the timer will count the time from the time it is started. I.e. it started from zero time. The sensor 7a or 7b will according to this embodiment stay in the state of being trigged until it is reset by resetting means 31 , which may e.g. be located in controller means 52 of the trap 1. The step C2 comprises checking whether the other sensor 7a or 7b is trigged. Step A9 comprises stopping the timer. Step C6 comprises checking if the time of the timer has exceeded a first predetermined time period. This first predetermined time period may be e.g. 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, or 60 seconds, or another time period. By waiting a first predetermined time period, it is checked if the rodent 8 exits the trapl by the same inlet 4a or 4b that it enters. If the time period is exceeded, this is interpreted as the rodent 8 having exited the trap 1 by the same inlet 4a or 4b that it entered through. By resetting the trap 1 with resetting means 31 , or returning to the step of checking in a rodent 8 has entered the trap 1 , the trap 1 is ready for receiving a rodent 8. Step A3 comprises stopping the timer, similar to step A9. Step C3 comprises checking if the timer exceeds the first predetermined time period, similar to C6. Step A4 comprises triggering the mechanical killing arrangement 5. Step A5 comprises waiting for a second predetermined time period. This second time period may be e.g. 5, 10, or 20 seconds, or another suitable time period. By waiting for a second predetermined time period, it is secured that spasms occurring when the rodent 8 is killed has passed before the dead rodent 1 1 is automatically disposed into the container 12. Step A6 comprises initiating the automatic disposal of the dead rodent 1 1. This initiation of the automatic disposal may comprise opening the opening 10 of the compartment 2 and displacing the dead rodent 1 1 from the compartment 2 by the displacement means 15, both driven by electrical means 32. Also, since the mechanical killing arrangement 5 is connected to the opening means 33, the automatically reloading of the mechanical killing arrangement 5 will be started by step A6. Step C4 comprises checking if the automatic disposal of the dead rodent 1 1 is completed. Step A7 comprises closing the trap 1. In one embodiment this means reversing the direction of the electrical means 32 to return to the initial position or the initial state of the electrical means 32 before the automatic disposal was initiated in step A6. Step A7 may also comprise engaging retaining elements 28, e.g. by retention element moving means 25, such that the retention element 28 retains the mechanical killing arrangement 5 in a loaded configuration. Finally, step C5 comprises checking if the trap 1 has reached a reloaded (i.e. loaded) configuration. This step C5 may comprise checking if the opening 10 of the compartment 2 is closed and/or if the retention elements 28 are fully engaged so as to retain the mechanical killing arrangement 5 in the loaded configuration. When the trap 1 is reloaded, the control sequence may return to step CI , i.e. the trap 1 is ready for receiving and killing subsequent rodents 8. In this embodiment the trap 1 comprises two sensors 7a and 7b, but the other embodiments the trap 1 may only comprises a single sensor 7. Then steps A2, C2, A3, C3, A9, C6, and A8 may be omitted, and step A4 of triggering the mechanical killing arrangement 5 may be performed when CI is true, i.e. when the sensor 7 is trigged. In other embodiments, where the trap 1 also comprises two sensor 7a and 7b, the timing mechanism may be omitted, i.e. step A3, C3, A9, C6, and A8 may be omitted. Then the mechanical killing arrangement 5 may be triggered when both of the sensors 7a and 7b are triggered. In yet other embodiments, the step A5 of waiting for a second predetermined time period may be omitted. In one embodiment, the operational algorithm may comprise a further step of transmitting a signal in relation to the status of the trap 1. Such a transmission may e.g. be sending a text message via the mobile telephone, e.g. a text message via the Short Message Service (SMS) or the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), or may be an e-mail or another data transmission. The status may e.g. be when the killing mechanism 5 has been triggered, i.e. when a rodent 8 is killed, or if the trap 1 is in an error state. In may however also be any other of the step illustrated on figure 2 or any other control step or action step or other step performed by the trapl . These alternative embodiments may be combined with any embodiments of the invention.

An example of an embodiment with a reduced operational algorithm or control sequence is described with reference to figure 3. In the initial step A 1 1 , the trap 1 is initiated. This step may comprise only turning on the power of the trap 1 manually, may furthermore comprise initiating a controller 52 and/or other elements, or may comprise checking if all movable parts are in the correct position, i.e. if the trap 1 is in a loaded configuration, and if not, to load the trap or give an error report. The step Cl l comprises checking if one the two sensors 7a and 7b are trigged. Step CI 2 comprises checking if the other sensor 7a or 7b is trigged. If the step C 12 gives a positive answer, i.e. if the other sensor 7a or 7b is trigged, this means that both sensors 7a and 7b are trigged. When both sensor 7a and 7b are trigged, the mechanical killing arrangement 5 is trigged, and the trap 1 will kill the rodent 8. The step A13 comprises triggering the mechanical killing arrangement 5 so as to kill the rodent 8, automatically disposing the dead rodent 1 1 , and automatically reloading the trap 1. This embodiment may comprise additional steps, e.g. the steps described in relation to figure 2, or described in relation to any embodiment or aspect of the invention.

Referring to figure 4, a trap 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The trap 1 comprises a compartment 2, triggering means 6, a mechanical killing arrangement 5, disposal arrangement 9, and a container 12. The compartment 2 is defined by walls 3, and has a first inlet 4a in one end and a second inlet 4b in the opposite end. The triggering means 6 comprises a first sensor 7a and a second sensor 7b, a first retention element 28a, a second retention element 28b, and retention element moving means 25 for moving the retention element 7a and 7b. The disposal arrangement 9 comprises a displacement element 15 for displacing the dead rodent 1 1 from the compartment 2 into a container 12, which in this embodiment is a bag 14. The displacement element is in this embodiment a pushing element 16, designed for pushing the dead rodent 1 1 into the container 12. The disposal arrangement 9 furthermore comprises an opening 10 in the wall 3 of the compartment 2, and opening means 33 for opening this opening 10. The opening means 33 comprises engagement means 40 engaging the mechanical killing arrangement 5 and are driven by electrical means 32. The mechanical killing arrangement 5 comprises a first killing element 13a, a second killing element 13b. These killing elements 13a and 13b may have an elongated shape extending across a significant part of the compartment 2. However, they may have other shapes, such as e.g. irregular or planar shapes. The must however, extend across a significant part of the compartment 2, preferably at least 2/3 of the width of the compartment 2. The rodent 8 enters the trap by one of the inlets 4a and 4b. In an example the rodent 8 enters the trap 1 by the first inlet 4a. The rodent 8 moves through the inner space 17 of the compartment 2 to a position opposite the first sensor 7a. The first sensor 7a detects the presence of the rodent 8, and sends a detection signal to a control unit of the triggering means 6. The rodent 8 then moves further through the compartment 2 from the first inlet 4a against the second inlet 4b. When the rodent 8 arrives to a position opposite the second sensor 7b, the second sensor 7b detects the presence of the rodent 8 and sends a detection signal to the control unit of the triggering means 6. The detection signal from first sensor 7a is correlated with the detection signal from the second sensor 7b, in order to determine when the rodent 8 has been detected by both sensors 7a and 7b. This may in an example embodiment be done e.g. by using logic detection signals, which are switched from low (0) to high (1) when a sensor 7a or 7b detects the presence of a rodent 8. The detection signals from the first sensor 7a and the second sensor 7b may according to this example embodiment then be correlated by comparing them in a logic AND gate. By keeping the voltage of the detection signal high after detection, output of the AND gate will switch from low (logic 0) to high (logic 1 ) voltage when the rodent has been detected by both the first sensor 7a and the second sensor 7b. The AND-gate output signal may then be used to trigger the mechanical killing arrangements of the trap 1. Thereby the mechanical killing arranging 5 is triggered when the rodent 8 is detected by the last of the two sensors 7a and 7b. According to the embodiment shown on figure 4, the distance from the sensor 7a or 7b to the mechanical killing arrangement 5 corresponds substantially to the distance from the snout 18 of a rodent 8 to the neck 19 of the same rodent 8. Therefore, when the last of the sensors 7a or 7b detects the presence of the rodent 8, the neck 19 of the rodent 8 will be substantially opposite the position of the killing element 13a or 13b. When the killing element 13a and/or 13b of the mechanical killing arrangement 5 is triggered, the killing element 13a and/or 13b pivots across the inner space 17 of the compartment 2 from a first position 29 to a second position 30. When the neck 19 of the rodent 8 is blocking this path, the neck 19 receives a strike from the killing element 13b. Because of the speed and weight of the killing element 13b, this strike will break the neck 19 of the rodent 8, thereby killing the rodent 8. While only the second killing elements 13b will hit the rodent 8 in the neck 19, both killing elements 13a and 13b may be triggered by the triggering means 6. In the embodiment illustrated on figure 4, the second killing element 13b hits the rodent in the neck 19, while the first killing element 13a hits the tail 39 of the rodent 8. This may be important in some embodiments, especially when the trap 1 is designed to kill rats or other rodents with large tails 39. In this embodiment, the rodent 8 is shown to enter the trap 1 through the first inlet 4a, but of course the rodent 8 may also in a similar embodiment enter the trap 1 through the second inlet 4b. The opening 10 in the wall 3 of the compartment 2 is then opened by the opening means 33 in order for the dead rodent 1 1 to be displaced from the compartment 2. The step of opening the opening 10 may is driven by electrical means 32. These electrical means 32 may in an example be one or more electrical motors engaging a part of the opening means 33 e.g. by a toothed wheel 46 or a gear. The engagement means 40 of the opening means 33 engages the killing elements 13 of the mechanical killing arrangement 5. When the opening 10 is opened, these engagement means 40 facilitates the pivoting of the killing elements 13a and 13b from a second position 29 to a first position 30, thereby killing the rodent 8. The pushing element 16 of the disposal arrangement 9 then displaces the dead rodent 1 1 by pushing it from the compartment 2 through the opening 10 and into the bag 14. Because the tail 39 has been broken, it is easier to automatically dispose the dead rodent 1 1 from the compartment 2. After the dead rodent 1 1 is automatically disposed, the opening 10 closes. The trap 1 may optionally also comprise aroma dispensing means 26 for attracting rodents 8 into the compartment 2 of the trap 1. Such aroma dispensing means 26 may be selected to attract a specific rodent 8 or group of rodents for which the trap 1 is adapted.

Referring to figure 5, a cross-sectional view of the compartment 2 of the trap 1 is shown illustrating an embodiment of the invention. The compartment 2 is surrounded by circular walls 3 and a bottom elevated part 35. The mechanical killing arrangement 5 comprises an killing element 13 which may pivot about a pivot axis 41 , a reloading arm 42 fixed to the killing element 13, and tension means 27 providing energy for the step of killing the rodent 8. Such tension 27 means may be e.g. a spring, or another elastic element suitable for storing energy and releasing this energy when triggered, so as to move the killing element 13 through the inner space 17 of the compartment 2 and killing the rodent 8. Furthermore, the trap 1 comprises a sensor 7, and a disposal arrangement 9. The disposal arrangement 9 comprises an opening 10 in the wall 3 closable by a part of the wall 43 connected to a pivot axis 41 in the upper end so that the part of the wall 43 may pivot around the pivot axis 41. The disposal arrangement 9 furthermore comprises a pushing element 16 and opening means 33. The pushing element 16 may e.g. be a part of the wall 3 or may be another element adapted for pushing a rodent 8, and for being placed in the compartment 2. The opening means 33 of this embodiment comprises an opening arm 44, movement transferring means 47 for transferring movement, and engagement means 40. The trap 1 furthermore comprises electrical means 32, such as a motor, and a toothed wheel 46 or a gear, which can transfer a circular motion of the electrical means 32 to the movement transfer means 47 via a toothed rack 45. I.e. the electrical means 32 can move the movement transfer means 47 in a linear motion back and forth. The opening arm 44 is in one end connected to the lower end of the part of the wall 43, and in the other end connected to the movement transferring means 47. Therefore, when the movement transferring means 47 moves back and forth, the part of the 43 will pivot about its pivot axis 41 , i.e. the opening 10 of the compartment 2 opens and closes. When the movement transferring means 47 moves back and forth, so does the engagement means 40 of the disposal arrangement 9. The engagement means 40 engages the reloading arm 42 fixed to the killing element 13. Therefore, the killing element 13 and the reloading ann 42 fixed thereto pivot about their common pivot axis 41. When the movement transferring means 47 is retracted from the reloading arm 42 towards the electrical means 32, the killing element 13 is pivoted at least to a first position 29 and energy is stored in the tension means 27. When the movement transferring means 47 moves in the direction from the electrical means 46 towards the reloading arm 42, the killing element 13 may pivot from the first position 29 towards the second position 30 while energy from the tension means 27 is released. This movement is explained in greater detail in relation to figure 6A, 6B, and 6C. Referring to figure 6A, figure 6B, and figure 6C cross-sectional views of the compartment 2 of the trap 1 is shown illustrating an embodiment of the invention. On figure 6A, the trap 1 is illustrated in a loaded configuration. A compartment 2 is shown surrounded by a circular wall 3 with a flat bottom part 35. The killing element 13 of the mechanical killing arrangement 5 is shown in a first position 29. The compartment 2 comprises a killing element inlet 49 for the killing element 13. The killing element 13 is connected to tension means 27 in the upper end of the tension means 27. The lower end of the tension means 27 is connected to a non-moving or stationary part of the trap 1 . Thereby, the tension means 27 may provide with a downward force on the killing element 13. The size of this force depends on the position of the killing element 13. The trap 1 furthermore comprises a reloading arm 42 connected to the killing element 13, and engagement means 40 for engaging the killing element 13 by the reloading arm 42. The killing element 13 may pivot around pivot axis 41 from the first position 29 to a second position 30 via a pathway 48, i.e. in a direction corresponding to a clockwise rotation on figure 6 A around pivot axis 41. However, on figure 6A a retention element 28 is shown retaining the killing element 13 in the first position 29. On figure 6B and figure 6C, the same elements as in figure 6A are present. However, in figure 6B the killing element 13 is shown in the second position 30. According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the killing element 13 may be fixed in a first position 29 by retention element 28. When the retention element 28 is moved out of the pathway 48 of the pivoting motion of the killing element 13 from the first position 29 to the second position 30, the killing element 13 is free to pivot from the first position 29 to the second position 30 along the pathway 48. In other embodiments, the retention element 28 may retain the killing element 13 in the first position 29 with being in the actual pathway 48, but by otherwise being in contact with the killing element 13. Because the killing element 13 is connected to tension means 27 as shown in figure 6A, 6B, and 6C, energy will be stored in the tension means 27 when the killing element 13 is in the first position 29. When the retention means 28 is removed, the killing element 13 will therefore move to the second position 30, which is associated with a lower potential energy than the first position 29. The difference in potential energy will be, at least substantially, be transformed to kinetic energy of the pivoting killing element 13, thereby providing a powerful stroke by the killing element 13. Since the power of the stroke comes from the potential energy in the tension means 27, it may be advantageous to adjust the tension means 27 such that the power of the stroke is sufficiently high to kill the rodent 8, but not so high that the rodent 8 will disintegrate. If e.g. a spring is used as tension means 27, this adjustment comprises e.g. adjusting the length and/or spring constant, i.e. stiffness, of the spring. When the dead rodent 1 1 is automatically disposed from the compartment 2 by the disposal arrangement 9, the trap 1 is automatically reloaded. The disposal arrangement 9 is not illustrated on figure 6A, 6B, and 6C, but the embodiment described in relation to these figures certainly comprises a disposal arrangement 9. In this embodiment, the step of automatically reloading the trap 1 comprises that engagement means 40 W

21 engages the reloading arm 42. During the automatic disposal of the dead rodent 1 1 , the engagement element 40 moves horizontally first in the direction towards the compartment 2, then horizontally in a direction away from the compartment 2, corresponding to a movement to the left, then to the right on figures 6A, 6B, and 6C. 5 Because the engagement element 40 engages reloading arm 42 and pivots the reloading arm 42 about the pivot axis 41 , the killing element 13 will be pivoted from the second position 30 to at least the first position 29, since the reloading arm 42 is connected to the killing element 13. When the killing element 13 reaches at least the first position 30, the retention element 28 moves into the pathway 48 between the

10 first position 29 and the second position 30, thereby preventing the killing element 13 to move to the second position 30. In one embodiment, the killing element 13 may move further away from the second position 30 than the first position 29, thereby leaving a clearance between the killing element 13 and the retention element 28. This is illustrated in figure 6C. Thereby, the retention element 28 may move into the

15 retaining position unhindered by the killing element 13. When the retention element 28 has reached the retaining position, the killing element may then e.g. by means of the tension element 27 move into contact with the retention element 28, i.e. to the first position 29, as it is illustrated in figure 6A. Then the trap 1 is back to the initial loaded configuration, i.e. it is reloaded. In one embodiment, only the retention

20 element 28 retains the killing element 13 from moving from the first position 29 to the second position 30 by means of the tension means 27.

Referring to figure 7, a perspective view of a trap 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The trap 1 comprises a compartment 2, a first sensor 7a, a

25 second sensor 7b, a first killing element 13a, a second killing element 13b, opening means 33, and a controller 52, optionally comprising resetting means 31. The first and second sensors 7a and 7b are in this embodiment optical sensors 38, but may in other embodiments be other sensors adapted for detecting rodents 8. The compartment 2 is defined by walls 3 and comprises a first inlet 4a, a second inlet 4b,

30 and killing element inlets 49 so as to allow free pivotal passage of killing elements 13a and 13b. The inner surface 21 of the compartment 2 constitutes the shape of a tunnel 22, i.e. an elongated hollow space, which extends from the first inlet 4a to the second inlet 4b. The trap 1 also comprises an electrical power source 34, which in this particular embodiment comprises a battery 23 connected to a solar cell 24. In other embodiments of the invention, the electrical power source 34 may comprise other powering means, such as e.g. a battery 23, a solar cell 24, a connection to a utility power grid, or other powering means. The opening means 33 comprises a plate 50, tracks 51 for guiding the movement of the plate 50, and is connected to electrical means 32, such as a motor, for moving the plate 50. The trap furthermore comprises toothed wheel 46, and toothed rack 45 on the plate 50. The electrical means 32 transfer motion from the toothed wheel 46 to the plate 50 via the toothed rack 45, and are thereby able to control the movement and position of the plate 50. The opening means 33 and the movement transfer means 47 may in some embodiments be connected to further electrical means 32 or other means for proving movement. The movement may be transferred to the opening means 33 and/or movement transfer means 47 by other means that toothed wheel 46 and toothed rack 45, such as by hydraulic or pneumatic means, or by an actuator or by other means. The plate 50 is connected with movement transfer means 47, which extends under the compartment 2. The movement transfer means 47 engages, via engagement means 40, the killing elements 13a and 13b, e.g. by engaging reloading arms 42 as in figures 5 or 6, or by other means. By moving the plate 50 in the direction away from the compartment 2, the part of the wall 43 will pivot upwards about pivot axis 41 thereby opening the opening 10 of the compartment 2. The killing element 13a and 13b will at the same time pivotally move upwards. When the killing elements 13a and 13b are at least at the first position 29, the retention elements will 28 will move by means of retention element moving means 25 into a position retaining the killing elements 13a and 13b from pivoting towards the second position 30. Hereby the trap 1 is reloaded. When the plate 50 moves in the direction away from the compartment 2, displacement means 15 of the trap 1 displaces the dead rodent 1 1 from the position 36 of the dead rodent 1 1 in the compartment 2 through the opening 10 to a lower position 37 and into a container 12, such as a bag 14. Such a bag 14 or other container 12 may be fitted onto the plate 50. The lower part of the opening of the bag 14 may be fastened to the plate 50, while the upper part of the opening of the bag 14 may be fastened to the part of the wall 43. Thereby, when the part of the wall 43 pivots upwards, the bag 14 will open, while when the part of the wall 43 pivots downwards again, the bag 14 will close, thereby at least partly hindering access to any dead rodents 1 1 in the bag 14, and at least partly hindering smell from the bag 14 to escape the bag 14. The opening of the bag 14 may be fitted otherwise to the trap still allowing the bag 14 to open when the opening 10 of the compartment 2 opens, and to close when the opening 10 of the compartment 2 closes. The killing of the rodent 8 works in an embodiment by the rodent 8 entering the compartment 2 of the trap 1 by inlet 4a or 4b. The rodent 8 is then detected by either of sensor 7a or 7b depending on which inlet 4a or 4b is has entered through. In one embodiment, the mechanical killing arrangement 5 of the trap is not triggered until the rodent 8 has been detected by both sensors 7a and 7b. If the rodent 8 is first detected by first sensor 7a and then by second sensor 7b, the moment when the rodent 8 is detected by sensor 7b, corresponds to the snout 18 of the rodent 8 being in a position approximately opposite the second sensor 7b. Therefore the most of the body of the rodent 8 will be in a position between killing elements 13a and 13b, and the neck 19 of the rodent 8 will be in a position approximately opposite the second killing element 13b. Therefore, when the rodent 8 is detected by the second sensor 7b, the triggering means 6 triggers the mechanical killing arrangement 5. This corresponds to at least the second killing element 13b being released, such that it will pivot downwards to hit the rodent 8 in the neck 19, thereby killing the rodent 8. Then the part of the wall 43 may pivot upwards about the pivot axis 41 so that the displacement means 15 may displace the dead rodent 1 1 from the compartment 2 to the container 12. On figure 7 is also shown a line representing a line of sight 20 extending through the first inlet 4b of the compartment 2, through the compartment 2, and out through the second inlet 4b.

Reference numerals

l . Trap

2. Compartment 3. Wall

4. Inlet

4a. First inlet

4b. Second inlet

5. Mechanical killing arrangement

6. Triggering means

7. Sensor

7a. First sensor

7b. Second sensor

8. Rodent

9. Disposal arrangement

10. Opening

1 1. Dead rodent

12. Container

13. Killing element

13a. First killing element

13b. Second killing element

14. Bag

15. Displacement element

16. Pushing element

17. Inner space

18. Snout

19. Neck

20. Line of sight

21. Inner surface

22. Tunnel

23. Battery

24. Solar cell

25. Retention element moving means 26. Aroma dispensing means

27. Tension means 28. Retention element

28a. First retention element

28b. Second retention element

29. First position

30. Second position

31. Resetting means

32. Electrical means

33. Opening means

34. Electrical power source

35. Bottom elevated part

36. Position of dead rodent

37. Lower position

38. Optical sensor

39. Tail

40. Engagement means

41. Pivot axis

42. Reloading arm

43. Part of the wall

44. Opening arm

45. Toothed rack

46. Toothed wheel

47. Movement transfer means

48. Pathway

49. Killing element inlet

50. Plate

51. Tracks

52. Controller

Al . Initiate trap

A2. Start timer

A3. Stop timer

A4. Trigger mechanical killing arrangement, reset sensors A5. Wait a second predetermined time period

A6. Initiate disposal

A7. Enable retaining elements, close trap

A8. Reset timers

CI . Is one sensor trigged?

C2. Is the other sensor trigged?

C3. Timer more than a first predetermined time period? C4. Is disposal complete?

C5. Is trap closed/reloaded?

C6. Timer more than a first predetermined time period? Al l . Initiate trap

A13. Trigger mechanical killing arrangement

C I 1. Is one sensor trigged?

CI 2. Is the other sensor trigged?

Claims

1. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1),

said trap (1 ) comprising

a compartment (2) defined by one or more walls (3), said compartment (2) comprising an inlet (4) for receiving a rodent (8),

- at least one mechanical killing arrangement (5) for killing said rodent (8),

- triggering means (6) for triggering said mechanical killing arrangement (5), said triggering means (6) comprising at least one sensor (7) configured for detecting a rodent (8) in said compartment (2), and - a disposal arrangement (9) for automatically disposing a killed rodent (8) into a container (12) for accumulating rodents (8) killed by said trap (1 ), said method comprising the steps of

receiving a rodent (8) by means of said inlet (4),

detecting said rodent (8) by means of said triggering mechanism (6), - triggering said mechanical killing arrangement (5) so as to kill said rodent

(8) in said compartment (2),

by means of said disposal arrangement (9) automatically disposing said killed rodent (1 1) into said container (12), and

automatically reloading said trap (1) so as to enable subsequent killing of another rodent (8) by said trap (1).

2. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said container (12) is a bag (14).

3. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1 ) according to claim 1 or

2,

wherein said disposing arrangement (9) of said trap (1 ) comprises

- an closable opening (10) in the wall (3) of said compartment (2), and a displacement element (15) adapted for displacing the dead rodent (1 1) through said opening (10), and

wherein said step of automatically disposing said killed rodent (8) comprises - opening said opening (10),

- displacing said dead rodent ( 1 1 ) from said compartment (2) through said opening ( 10), and

closing said opening ( 10).

4. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap ( 1 ) according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein said mechanical killing arrangement (25) comprises a killing element (13) adapted for pivoting from a first position (29) across a substantial part of the inner space (17) of said compartment (2) to a second position (30), and wherein said killing element (13) pivots from said first position (29) to said second position (30) when triggered by said triggering means (6).

5. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein said at least one killing element ( 13) is tensioned by at least one tension means (27),

wherein said triggering means (6) comprises a retention element (28) adapted for fixing said killing element (13) in said first position (29) and said retention element (28) being adapted for releasing said killing element ( 13) when said triggering means (6) triggers said mechanical killing arrangement

(5), and

wherein said step of triggering said mechanical killing arrangement (5) comprises retracting said retention element (28) so as to release said killing element ( 13).

6. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap ( 1 ) according to any of claims claim 3-5,

wherein said trap (1 ) comprises opening means (33) for opening said opening ( 10) of said compartment (2),

said opening means (33) being provided with engagement means (40) for engaging said mechanical killing arrangement (5), wherein said step of automatically disposing said dead rodent (1 1) comprises said engagement means (40) engaging said killing element (13) of said mechanical killing arrangement (5) , and

wherein said step of automatically reloading said trap (1) comprises displacing said killing element (13) to at least a first position (29).

7. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1 ) according to any of claim 3-6,

wherein said displacement element (15) is a pushing element (16), said pushing element (16) being adapted for pushing said dead rodent (1 1) through said opening (10) in said wall (3) of said compartment (2).

8. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1 ) according to any of claims 3-7,

wherein said bag (14) is re-closable, and wherein said step of automatically disposing said dead rodent (1 1) comprises

- automatically opening said bag (14),

- displacing said dead rodent (1 1) into said bag (14) by said displacement element (1 ), and

- automatically closing said bag (14).

9. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1) according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein said step of automatically disposing said killed rodent (1 1) and said step of automatically reloading said trap (1) are driven by electrical means

(32), said electrical means (32) receiving energy from an electrical power source (34).

10. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap ( 1 ) according to claim 9, wherein said electrical power source (34) comprises a battery (23), said battery (23) supplying energy for operation of said trap ( 1 ), and

- a solar cell (24), said solar cell (24) being adapted for recharging said battery (23) when exposed to electromagnetic radiation.

1 1. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap ( 1 ) according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein said inlet (4) of said compartment (2) is a first inlet (4a),

wherein said compartment (2) furthermore comprises a second inlet (4b) for receiving a rodent (8), and

wherein a line of sight (20) exists through said compartment (2), said line of sight (20) extending from said the first inlet (4a) to said second inlet (4b), and wherein the step of receiving a rodent (8) by means of said inlet (4) comprises receiving a rodent (7) by one of said first inlet (4a) and said second inlet (4b).

12. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap ( 1 ) according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein said sensor (7) is placed between said killing element (13) and said inlet (4).

13. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap ( 1 ) according to claim 12, wherein said sensor (7) is a first sensor (7a), said killing element (13) is a first killing element ( 13a),

wherein said triggering means (6) comprises a second sensor (7b), wherein said mechanical killing arrangement (5) comprises a second killing elements (13b),

wherein said second sensor (7b) is placed between said second killing element ( 13b) and said second inlet (4b),

wherein said triggering means (6) is adapted for triggering said mechanical killing arrangement (5) comprising a first killing element ( 13a) and a second killing element ( 13b) when said rodent (8) has been detected by both said first sensor (7a) and said second sensor (7a), and

wherein said step of detecting said rodent (8) by said triggering means (6) comprises

detecting said rodent (8) by one of said sensors (7) of said triggering means (6) and

detecting said rodent (8) by the other of said sensors (7) of said triggering means (6)

before said step of triggering said mechanical killing arrangement (5).

14. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap ( 1 ) according to claim 13, wherein said triggering means (6) furthermore comprises resetting means (31 ), said resetting means (3 1 ) being adapted for automatically resetting said triggering means (6) after a predefined time period after said rodent (8) is detected by said one of said sensors (7), and

wherein said step of detecting said rodent (8) by said triggering means (6) comprises resetting said triggering means (6) if said rodent (8) is not detected by said other of said sensors (7) within said predetermined time period after being detected by said one of said sensors (7).

15. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein said walls (3) of said compartment (2) of said trap ( 1 ) constitutes the inner surface (21 ) of a tunnel (22), said tunnel (22) extending from said first inlet (4a) to said second inlet (4b), and

wherein said step of killing said rodent (8) comprises killing said rodent (8) in said tunnel (22).

16. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap ( 1 ) according to claim 5, wherein said part of said compartment (2) corresponding to the position (36) of said killed rodent (1 1 ) having a bottom elevated part (35) being elevated, and

wherein said step of displacing said dead rodent ( 1 1 ) comprises pushing said dead rodent ( 1 1 ) by said pushing element ( 16), and said dead rodent ( 1 1 ) falling from said bottom elevated part (35) of said compartment (2) when being pushed by said pushing element ( 16), to a lower position (37), said lower position (37) being lower than said bottom elevated part (35) of said compartment (2).

17. A method of killing rodents (8) by means of a trap (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein said sensor (7) of said triggering means (6) is an optical sensor (38).

18. A trap ( 1 ) for killing rodents (8), said trap ( 1 ) comprising

- a mechanical killing arrangement (5) for killing said rodent (8),

triggering means (6) for triggering said mechanical killing arrangement (5), said triggering means (6) comprising at least one sensor (7) configured for detecting a rodent (8) in said compartment (2), and

- a disposal arrangement (9) for automatically disposing a killed rodent (8) into a container ( 12) for accumulating rodents (8) killed by said trap (1 ).

19. A trap ( 1 ) for killing rodents (8), according to claim 10, said trap being configured for operating according to any of claims 1 - 18.