CARBON BISULPHIDE FOR RABBIT – FUMIGATION.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXX, Issue 2, 20 February 1925, Page 124

CARBON BISULPHIDE FOR RABBIT - FUMIGATION.

Live-stock Division

Where rabbits are living in burrows on fairly open country, fumigation of the burrows with carbon bisulphide is easily the most effective method of destroying them. Following are directions for the use of this material, and other relevant hints : Procure a deep tin or billy, about 6 in. in diameter — one fitted ' with a lid for preference. Cut pieces of old sacking of a size to fit into .the tin selected, and, after filling the tin with these, pour in sufficient carbon bisulphide to cover them well. If any considerable time is likely to elapse after the carbon bisulphide is poured into the tin containing the pieces of sacking, the. tin should either be covered with a tight lid, or sufficient water added to cover the carbon bisulphide ; the water will float on the latter and prevent evaporation. Be careful to locate every exit from the burrow to be fumigated, and, when this is done, dig each back sufficiently to provide a solid face. Push a piece of the sacking saturated with carbon bisulphide well into each burrow with a rod or piece of wire, then fill the openings with plenty of earth, and tread or ram tightly. If it is desired to ignite the gas, proceed as just stated, excepting that one opening should be only lightly covered so that .it may be easily reopened. Allow about four minutes for the gas to permeate the burrows after the saturated sacking has been added and the openings closed, then reopen the one. which has been lightly. covered, and, after placing a fresh piece of saturated sacking, ignite the gas with a torch or match. (Caution : The operator should stand well to one side when igniting the gas.) If any of the openings should be uncovered by the explosion they should be reclosed as directed above. It is a decided advantage to ignite the gas when dealing with very large burrows, as a much -greater volume is thereby produced, and the explosion which results forces the gases to the farthest recesses of the burrows ; it will also show any openings that may have been missed. In order to get the maximum results, all the country in the vicinity of tfie burrows which it is intended to fumigate should be thoroughly hunted with dogs to drive rabbits that may be lying out into the burrows before fumigating. Excepting in land of very open texture, such as sandy formation, fumigation can be effectively carried out at any time ; but the best, results are obtained during fairly calm weather and when the earth is moist. The most favourable time is during showery weather or after rain. Burrows in land of open texture, such as pumiceous or sandy formation, should be fumigated during showery weather or immediately after a fall of rain. . ' . < Carbon bisulphide evaporates very quickly when exposed to the atmosphere. In order to guard against this, after opening a container of the material, pour enough water on top to completely cover it. If a cork is used it should be sealed with glue, mucilage, or glycerine. If water is added to prevent evaporation, care must be taken to ensure that it is all poured off immediately before the carbon bisulphide is again used, as otherwise the sacking may be saturated with water in place of carbon bisulphide. . . ' . Carbon bisulphide should be carefully kept away from fire.