The invention is a rat and mouse trap that springs open a pair of doors that lead to a containment area for either killing the rats or capturing the them alive. The device uses a box shaped compartment having a pair of doors in the center and held closed by a latch on each of the doors. The latch is attached to a solenoid activated pivoting means that disengages the latch from the doors to allow them to open temporarily to drop the rat into the containment chamber below. The solenoid means is operated by a microswitch in connection with bait over the doors. Upon touching the bait, the microswitch sends an electric signal to the solenoid which pivots and pulls both latches away from the doors and holds them open long enough for the rat to drop into the containment area below.

An automatic trap for catching cockroach independently of the size, volume or weight thereof, comprising a box with cockroach collecting cavity having an upper surface with a trap opening, at least two separate coplanar plates being provided to close said trap opening in a close position. Each plate has an electrical conducting portion connected to a control circuit which, in turn, is connected to a driving mechanism capable of being actuated to move the plates away from each other into an open position for uncovering the trap opening and providing access to the cockroach collecting cavity. When a cockroach simultaneously touches the electrical conducting portions of the plates, the portions are put into electrical contact because of the conductivity provided by the cockroach body, so that the driving mechanism is excited by the control circuit to move the plates to their open position.

A trap is provided for rodents, such as mice, rats and similar small animals, which consists of a cabinet having an upper entrance, to allow the rodents to enter and a lower chamber to retain the rodents. A platform is provided having a first end and a second end. A component is for pivotally mounting the platform across its center between the first end and the second end within the cabinet. A structure is for maintaining the platform in a normally horizontal position, with its first end level with the upper entrance of the cabinet. A bait bag is suspended in the cabinet directly above the second end of the platform, opposite from the upper entrance to attract the rodents onto the second end of the platform. An apparatus activated by the rodents at the bait bag, is for pivoting the second end of the platform downwardly, so that the rodents will drop into the lower chamber of the cabinet and be retained therein. A device activated by the first end of the platform pivoting upwardly is for returning the platform to its normal horizontal position, after the rodents drop into the lower chamber of the cabinet.

A portable apparatus for catching rodents includes a container adapted to hold a reservoir of water. A horizontally oriented cylindrical roller is rotatively supported within the container above the water reservoir. A moveable bait-holding arm is positioned above the roller. When a rodent pushes against the bait-holding arm, an electrical circuit is completed which energizes a motor to rotate the roller, causing the rodent to fall into the water reservoir.

A road block for preventing unauthorized vehicles from entering a secured area comprises a pit, a span covering the pit, collapsible support members supporting the span at the trailing end of the plate with respect to the direction of vehicle access, devices for collapsing the support members, and a triggering mechanism for actuating the collapsing devices in response to the approach of an unauthorized vehicle.