12 Farmers' Bulletin 73^ 



BAITS FOR TRAPS 



The problem of selecting the best bait for flies is an important 

 one. In choosing a bait it should be remembered that it is largely 

 the fermentation which renders the material attractiv^e, and that 

 baits are most attractive during their most active period of fermen- 

 tation. As has been indicated, the kind of bait used should be gov- 

 erned by the species of flies the destruction of which is desired. This 

 is most often the house fly. 



HOUSE-FLY BAITS 



A mixture of cheap cane molasses ("blackstrap") and water is 

 one of the most economical and effective baits for the house fly. One 

 part molasses is mixed with three parts Avater. The attractiveness 

 becomes marked on the second or third day. 



Sugar-beet or " stock molasses," which is very cheap in regions 

 where produced, Avhen mixed in the foregoing proportions is fairly 

 attractive. 



Sirup made by dissolving one part of ordinary brown sugar in 

 four parts of water and allowing the mixture to stand a day or two 

 to induce fermentation is almost equal to molasses and water as a fly 

 bait. If it is desirable to use the sirup immediately after making 

 it a small amount of vinegar should be added. Honeybees are some- 

 times caught in large numbers with this bait. AVhen this happens 

 some of the other baits recommended should be used. On dairy 

 farms probably milk is next choice as a bait to cane-molasses solu- 

 tion, considering its convenience. The curd from milk, with about 

 one-half pound of brown sugar added to each pound, and water 

 to make it thoroughly moist, is a very good bait and continues to be 

 attractive for 10 days or longer if kej^t moist. A mash of bran 

 made quite thin with a mixture of equal parts of water and milk and 

 with a few tablespoonfuls of brown sugar and cornstarch and a 

 yeast cake added makes an attractive and lasting bait. 



The foregoing baits are rendered more attractive by stirring oc- 

 casionally. 



BLOWFLY BAITS FOR USE AROUND MARKETS, ETC. 



With the baits before mentioned few blowflies will be caught. 

 For use about slaughterhouses, butcher shops, and other places 

 where blowflies are troublesome it has been determined that the 

 mucous membranes which form the lining of the intestines of cattle 

 or hogs are without equal as a bait. This material, which is com- 

 monly spoken of as " gut slime," can be obtained from packing 

 houses where sausage casings are prepared. The offensive odor of 

 this bait renders its use undesirable around habitations or materials 

 intended for human consumption. 



At the front of and at loading docks of meat-packing establish- 

 ments where house flies are troublesome and bloAvflies are usually not 

 abundant it is best to bait the traps with one of the house-fly baits 

 listed above. Around meat markets Avhere both house flies and 

 blowflies abound one of the combination baits given on page 13 

 should be employed, 



