Multi-edged rodent bait

Abstract

A multi-edged rodent bait unit is disclosed having a quantity of rodent meal and rodenticide formed into an extended article having planar front and rear faces. The article has a substantially constant cross section along its length and has four sides perpendicular to the front and rear faces. At least one side has portions defining a V-shaped groove. The walls of the groove meet the faces of the side at angle of less than 150 degrees to form linear edges which are easily gnawed by a rodent. A preferred form of the bait unit has a single groove on each side of the bait unit. A second preferred form has two grooves on each side, and a third preferred form has alternating grooves and ribs. The bait unit of this invention is formed by mixing a rodenticide with rotent meal at room temperature and adding liquid paraffin at approximately 145 degrees Fahrenheit to the mixture and blending the paraffin into the mixture to form a die homogeneous mass. The mass is then extruded through a die at high pressures wherein the die has portions to form V-shaped grooves in the sides of the extruded mass. The extruded mass is then cut to desired lengths. The bait unit according to this invention has an increased number of gnawing edges for a rodent to feed upon and is advantageously able to withstand weathering.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.