THE BRClWN RAT 67 



The opening should then be quickly packed with earth to prevent 

 escape of the fumes. Care should be taken that lighted cigars, pipes, 

 cigarettes, matches, and open lights are not brought near the carbon 

 bisulphid. 



Hydrocyanic acid gas has been effectively used to destroy all 

 animal life in buildings ; and if properly used will successfully de- 

 stroy rats, mice, and insects. Since this gas, however, is extremely 

 poisonous to human life, this method of fumigation should not be 

 undertaken by an inexperienced person without following careful 

 and detailed instructions. Farmers' Bulletin No. 699 of the U. S. 

 Department of Agriculture, prepared by L. 0. Howard and C. H. 

 Popenoe and entitled "Hydrocyanic Acid Gas against Household 

 Insects," will give details regarding fumigation with this poi- 

 sonous gas. 



Cooperative and organized effort in the destruction of mice and 

 rats is of very great importance. Individual and sporadic effort, 

 while instrumental in reducing the number of pests locally, cannot 

 ]>ring about large results for the animals soon come in from sur- 

 rounding localities where repressive and control measures have not 

 been in vogue. "Whole townships, counties, and cities should give 

 continuous and united effort, in the destruction of these pests in 

 order that permanent results be obtained. In the city of Mus- 

 catine a bounty of one cent each is offered on rats by the city coun- 

 cil. The bounty has been in force for about three years and has 

 had the effect of reducing, to a considerable degree, the number of 

 pests. While a municipal bounty is not recommended as an ex- 

 cellent control measure, it sometimes gives good results and draws 

 attention to the situation, so that cooperative work is likely to 

 meet with more popular favor. 



Organized rat hunts, while effective at the time, are not of per- 

 manent value unless followed up by continued effort, which may 

 often be stimulated by the offering of prizes. Various civic and 

 citizens' clubs. Boy Scout troops, women's clubs and other organ- 

 izations can do profitable work by encouraging a continuous cam- 

 paign of destruction against the rat. 



In conclusion, a summary of the important measures for repress- 

 ing and eliminating rats and mice as o'iven by Lantz in Farmers' 

 Bulletin No. 896 may be pertinently included here: 



"1. The requirement that all new buildings erected shall be 

 made rat-proof under competent inspection. 



