-8- 



1. Using last year's oats. Zinc phosphide oats are mixed upon order at 

 our Bait Mixing Station and they are calculated to maintain their 

 toxicity for about four-six months in the original shipping containers. 

 They will not hold over to the next season, 



2. Using zinc phosphide purchased many years ago. Some growers were found 

 still using old red-colored cans of zinc phosphide rodenticide. Zinc 

 phosphide can be safely stored in its original container for about 

 three years. Do not use any material older than this. All zinc phos- 

 phide rodenticide currently being prepared will have the year date 

 stamped on each container. 



3. Placing bait only at the tree base. Bait must be placed in mouse run- 

 ways when hand baiting. 



4. When using mechanical trail builder, just carelessly dropping bait 

 behind the furrower. Bait must be placed right in the artificial 

 runway . 



5. Failure to clean around tree bases. Girdling can occur at any time of 

 year and is always encouraged by heavy cover against trunks of trees. 

 Clean mowing or grubbing around tree bases will reduce chances of early 

 season damage. 



Apparently many growers are not following the recommended procedures to the 

 letter, and this is necessary. It is suggested that each grower take a few 

 minutes time to sit down and review the procedures as outlined in our new leaflet 

 on orchard mouse control and see that his program is according to Hoyle. Orchard 

 mouse supplies this year will be available at many more sources than formerly. 

 County Extension offices will not handle baits, but they have been furnished with 

 a list of our cooperating suppliers and can inform you of your nearest distributor. 



Present conditions indicate that there will be a lot of dropped apples re- 

 maining on the ground during the baiting program. This may slightly decrease the 

 attractiveness of your apple bait. It is still one of the best baits, dropped 

 apples or not, but under these conditions we recommend also the use of zinc 

 phosphide- treated oats in conjunction with the apples. The combination bait is 

 always recommended where pine mice are present. 



The Eish and Wildlife Service Staff is now fully manned in this state with 

 the addition of Mr. Fred Courtsal, stationed at the Extension Office, 36 Harvard 

 Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, and covering Eastern Massachusetts. Mr, John 

 Peterson, stationed at Amherst, Massachusetts, is our field man for Western 

 Massachusetts. Individuals desiring aid in their mouse control program are 

 invited to contact these men, 



---Wesley R. Jones 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



ORCHARD MOUSE BAIT REQUIREMENTS 



The following figures are to be used as a guide in determining the amount of 

 bait to be used in Orchard Mouse control. These are minimum figures, for in actual 

 practice it is found that fruit growers are quite generous in their quantity of 



