Flytraps and Their Operation 13 



BAITS FOR SCREW-WORMS AND BLOWFLIES UNDER RANGE 

 CONDITIONS 



Where rabbits or other wild animals are plentiful they make a 

 very satisfactory bait for use on the rano:es; in fact, they are rather 

 better than any other available bait. The animal should be opened 

 np so as to expose the intestines; and when the weather is very dry 

 it is best to keep some water in the pan, as it adds to the attractive- 

 ness of the bait. Entrails and other animal refuse may be utilized 

 in a similar way Avhen they are available. 



The main objection to the use of this type of bait is that some 

 maggots are likely to complete their growth and escape from the 

 bait pans. This can be largely avoided by using borax solution in 

 the bait pan in place of the water — 1 ounce of poAvdered borax to 

 each gallon of water. This does not check the decomposition enough 

 to reduce greatly the attractiA'eness of the bait and practically pro- 

 hibits the escape of any maggots 



As a substitute for wild animals or animal refu.se Avhen they are 

 not available, experiments show that fairly satisfactory catches can 

 be secured by utilizing dried " gut slime " or dried whole egg. The 

 former is not generally on the market but can be prepared by 

 packing houses at a moderate cost. Both of these materials are 

 easily carried on a saddle horse and all that is necessary is to place 

 about one-fourth pound in the bait pan and add 2 quarts of water, 

 after which the mixture should be stirred. The more frequently 

 any of these baits is agitated, the greater the catch which will be 

 secured. If the bait is kept well moistened it will continue attrac- 

 tive for 10 days or longer. Our experiments indicate that where 

 these baits are made alkaline by the addition of a teaspoonful of 

 washing or baking soda they are made more attractive, especially 

 during the first week. 



COMBINATION BAITS 



With a number of the baits before mentioned both house flies and 

 blowflies are captured. This is especialy true with the " gut slime " 

 and dried eg<^. Where both of these kinds of flies are abundant 

 such baits are desirable. Certain other mixtures may also be utilized. 

 A packing-house product known as blood tankage is a good fly bait 

 when used with molasses and water. Fish scraps or meat scraps, 

 especially with molasses and water added, will attract all kinds of 

 flies. Overripe or fermenting fruit such as Avatermelon rinds or 

 crushed bananas often gives very satisfactory results. A combina- 

 tion of oAerripe bananas Avith milk is much more attractiA^e than 

 either one used separately. 



BAIT CONTAINERS 



The size of the bait container in relation to the size of the trap 

 is a A^ery important consideration. It has been found that a small 

 pan or a deep pan of bait set in the center under a trap will catch 

 only a small fraction of the number of flies secured by using larger, 

 shalloAA^ containers. The best and most couA^enient pan for baits is 

 a shallow circular tin, such as the coA^er of a lard bucket. lender 

 lange conditions it is advisable to use a more substantial bait pan 



