RATS IN FARM BUILDINGS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21445, 10 April 1935, Page 18

RATS IN FARM BUILDINGS

EFFECTIVE BAITS A letter appeared in "The Press" a few days ago asking for information regarding baits for the destruction of rats. Mr L. Morrison, lecturer in entomology at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, supplies the following, which should be useful to farmers: One of the most effective methods employed in the destruction of rats is the use of poisons. Strong poisons, such as arsenic, or strychnine, or phosphorus, cannot be recommended for general use. The methods of poisoning outlined below should be sufficient to ensure a proper control of ratinfested areas:— 0) Parts by weight: Barium carbonate powder 1, grated cheese 1, dripping 1, line oatmeal 1. Melt the lat, and mix it thoroughly with the other ingredients to form a thick paste. (2) Parts by weight: Barium carbonate powder 1, fine oatmeal 2, castor sugar 1. Rub all the ingredients through a fine sieve and mix well. Red Squill Baits (1) Parts by weiglit: Red squill powder 1, fine oatmeal 2\, dripping IJ. Melt the fat and mix it thoroughly with the dry ingredients to form a thick paste. (2) Parts by weight: Red squill powder 1, fine oatmeal 2, castor sugar 2. Rub all the ingredients through a fine sieve and mix thoroughly. A very slight flavour can be imparted to whichever bait is decided upon, by addyig a trace of aniseed oil, and it is an additional attraction. In using the above recipes the quantity to be used for each bait is one small teaspoonful for rats, and half this quantity for mice. The baits can be laid wrapped in small twists of tissue paper. When using poison baits it is well to treat liberally at the first application, and to lay about 10 times as many baits as the number of rats estimated to be present. Rats are very suspicious, and if they find any number of tneir fellows die after eating any kind of food, they will avoid such food for some time. It will be as well, therefore, to vary the form and appearance of the poison bait at intervals.

It is very necessary to take precautions against injury to other animals or to human beings when poisons are used. The places where baits are laid should be carefully recorded and visited regularly, and the baits destroyed if not taken within a short period. When strong poisons are used, the baits 'shouid be placed in boxes that permit of the ingress and egress of rats and mice, but not of domestic animals and poultry. The baits used should be, if possible, of such a nature that they cannot be carried away by the rodents, but must be consumed era the spot. Barium carbonate has the advantage of being without smell, and, because of its corrosive action upon the mucous membrane of the stomach, induces the rat to seek water and die in the open. Red squill is a material derived from the bulb of the sea leek, a liliaceous sub-tropical plant, and is toxic to rats, but in small quantities is not toxic to human beings or domestic animals. Neither the ingredients used nor the baits when prepared should be handled with the bare fingers.