an electric or electronic animal trap wherein the housing includes a pair of spaced electrodes or charge plates in a killing chamber intermediate the trap entrance and a source of bait . interposed in the pathway to the electrodes is at least one diverter which discourages a target animal from reversing direction before it is electrocuted . in one embodiment , juxtaposed to the entrance are at least two diverter members angularly offset relative to each other to define a maze - like path to lead a target animal to the charge plates for electrocution while discouraging reversal of direction and protecting against direct access to the charge plates through the entrance opening by children , pets or non - target species . a diverter or barrier plate may be carried by the housing cover to extend into the space between the electrodes when the cover is closed , the lower edge of the barrier being spaced from the housing floor a limited distance to force a target animal to squeeze under the barrier as it passes to the second electrode making escape before electrocution difficult . this design may be utilized in combination with a spaced , upwardly extending diverter or barrier plate to block direct access to the pair of electrodes from the entrance opening . the effectiveness of an inclined plane trap assembly may also be enhanced by a plate carried by the cover which forces a target animal to stretch itself out before engaging the second electrode .