Electrocution of Trapped Rodent

I&T Wish Electrocution of Trapped Rodent
(REF: W-0614)
Matched I&T Solution
Trial Project
Summary and Challenges
  • Trapping of rodent with wire cage traps is one of the widely practiced and effective methods for controlling rodents, especially when use of rodenticides is not feasible, e.g. in food handling areas. With proper choice of food baits, trapping could effectively suppress the population of rodents.
  • However, trapped rodents are kept alive inside the cage trap and needs to be killed in a humane way to minimize unnecessary suffering. Currently, the method of cervical dislocation is mainly deployed for killing of trapped rodents.
  • The method makes use of the door of the cage trap to break the neck of the rodent when it tries to escape from the cage by slightly open the door to allow the rodent to protrude its head out of the cage trap. It requires highly skillful and well-trained staff to execute and if not carefully executed, will lead to escape of rodent. The process might also be time consuming if the number of rodents caught is high.
Expected Outcome
  • To develop a device/system to kill the trapped rodent inside the cage trap with electrocution method that cause least suffering to the rodent.
  • The device/system should be able to house the whole cage trap containing the trapped rodent without the need of taking out the rodent for the killing process.
  • The device/system could be reset quickly for processing another trapped rodent.
  • It is also preferrable if the device/system could be operated with rechargeable battery and portable for field use.
Expected Trial Duration 6-month
Contact Information
I&T Wish Proposer:Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Contact Person:YIN Shuk May
Position:Pest Control Officer (Rodent Risk Assessment and Advisory)2
Tel:31882270
Email: smyin@fehd.gov.hk
Webpage: https://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/rodent_info.html
Upload Date 2026-09-01
Closing Date 2026-12-01
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