Pest trap apparatus

A pest trap apparatus comprising:

• an entry channel having an entry passage, an exit passage, and a channel body disposed between and associated with the entry passage and the exit passage;
• a trap chamber associated with the entry channel, such that the exit passage is engaged with the trap chamber;
• a bait cage configured to be engaged with the trap chamber, wherein the bait cage is configured to hold a piece of bait to attract a pest into the trap chamber without allowing the pest to access the piece of bait;
• a drop cover associated with the trap chamber, the drop cover having:
• a hinge mount engaged with the trap chamber;
• a bottom jaw engaged with the hinge mount;
• a trap hinge engaged with the hinge mount;
• and
• a trap door engaged with the trap hinge, such that the trap door can be pivoted with respect to the hinge mount, wherein the trap door is configured to be selectively rotated on a trap door rotational axis about a pivotal engagement of the trap door with the trap hinge;
• a trap latch configured to be selectively engaged with the trap door to prevent rotation of the trap door;
• a trap chute associated with and disposed below the trap chamber;
• a sensor associated with the trap chamber, wherein the sensor is configured to generate and transmit a signal upon detecting a pest within the trap chamber;
• a striker in electrical communication with the sensor, such that the striker is configured to be actuated upon receiving the signal from the sensor, wherein the striker is configured to selectively impact the trap door to facilitate disengagement of the trap door from the trap latch, subsequent downward rotation of the trap door and thus a dropping of the pest within the trap chamber into the trap chute;
• an actuator configured to be selectively engaged with the trap door to facilitate selective upward rotation of the trap door and reengagement of the trap door with the trap latch;
• and
• a shuttle box having a shuttle body and a top jaw engaged with and disposed below the shuttle body, the shuttle box being configured to be nested within the trap chamber and supported by the trap door, such that the selective downward rotation of the trap door drops the shuttle box within the trap chamber, such that the top jaw of the shuttle box is configured to be selectively engaged with the bottom jaw of the drop cover, thus preventing the pest within the trap chamber from returning to the exit passage of the entry channel.