BAD AGAIN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4122, 6 April 1949, Page 5

BAD AGAIN

CRICKETS ON THE PLAINS PESTS CAN BE KILLED EFFECTIVE POISON MIXTURE With the approach of autumn large numbers of crickets are again appearing in various parts •f the Hauraki Plains. Many fanners in the Turua, Pipiroa, Ngatea and Kerepehi areas are again sorely troubled with a veritable plague of crickets. Enquiries made by a Gazette representative disclose that in some cases where the infestation was quite bad last year there has so far been comparatively little trouble this year. In other areas reports are that the pests are in far greater numbers than last year despite the efforts made to destroy them. Conflicting views were expresed by different farmers as to the grasses attacked by the crickets. Some declared that it was only the rye grass that suffered whilst the clover and paspalum were not affected. Other farmers had noticed that it was the clover which was subjected to attack. On farms where the pest was particularly bad the experience was that the, crickets would eat whatever grasses frere there to be eaten. Paspalum was ot immune from attack. Good Growth of Grass Mr G. L. Banfield of the Department of Agriculture, Thames, expressed the opinion that the abundance of succulent grass this season probably caused the crickets to ignore the agroeide when it was mixed with sawdust but he felt confident that if the infected areas were treated with bait mixed with fowl mash then the areas could be cleared of the pests. Enquiries made of Mr E. A. Clark at Turua disclosed that on his property at Turua the pests were doing great damage. Treatment with agroeide had at first ' appeared to have killed the crickets but after two or three weeks a younger generation of the crickets appeared and he would have to apply the treat-

■tent again. Messrs J. S. McWatters and J. E. Brake of Ngatea both, stated with confidence that there was one sure remedy and that was a double application of agrocide mixed with fowl maah. The period of one month should be allowed to lapse between each application. Where ever this has been carried out the trouble had 'been overcome and the treatment had proved almost 100 per cent, effective. Mr Brake expressed the opinion that in each application at least 15 pounds of fowl mash should be used to each acre of land treated. The treatment was expensive but effective. “ I have helped in the spread of this cricket bait on infected areas on many farms,” said Mr Brake. “I have watched the effects very carefully. In every case where two applications of this mixture have been applied the results have been most satisfactory. This use of this method means the complete destruction of the cricket.”

Cricket Board Needed “ It is a pity that the cricket board was not formed when it was discussed last season,” commented Mr C. K. Fox of Turua when he was asked for his opinion on the cricket menace on the Plains. He said he considered the position was very serious and was menacing the whole question of production oh the Hauraki Plains. If everybody does not get down to poisoning crickets will become one of the serious handicaps to farming on the Plains, said Mr Fox. He stated that he had poisoned earlied this season and had secured a good kill but the crickets were appearing again as badly as ever. They were however —mailer now, as if they were only recently hatched out and only half grown.

The crickets will get worse and worse each year without property owners pull together and all poison, added Mr Fox. He explained that at certain times the crickets flew and by this method could spread from an infected farm to land which had been cleared of the pest by poisoning. Large numbers of seagulls can be seen on many Ngatea farms eating the crickets and the birds are so gorged that they show little inclination to fly away when approached. Seagulls in number have been seen on the Paeroa domain recently feeding on the crickets which appear to be more numerous in the Paeroa district this year than in the past. Householders report that crickets are invading houses in Paeroa and that if they are not destroyed they eat holes fa carpets and damage clothing.