POISONING RATS. 47 



statement that rats poisoned with phosphorus do not die on the 

 premises. Owing to its slower operation, no doubt a larger pro- 

 portion escape into the open before dying than when strychnine is 

 used. 



The Biological Survey does not recommend the use of phosphorus 

 as a poison for rodents. 



Caution. — In the United States there are few laws which prohibit 

 the laying of poisons on lands owned or controlled by the poisoner. 

 Hence it is all the more necessary to exercise extreme caution to 

 prevent accidents. In several States notice of intention to lay 

 poison must be given to persons living in the neighborhood. Poison 

 for rats should never be placed in open or unsheltered places. This 

 applies particularly to the use of strychnine or arsenic on meat. 



Poison in poultry houses. — For poisoning rats in buildings and 

 yards occupied by poultry, the following method is recommended: 

 Two wooden boxes should be used, one considerably larger than the 

 other, and each having two or more holes in the sides large enough to 

 admit rats. The poisoned bait should be placed on the bottom and 

 near the middle of the smaller box, and the larger box should then be 

 inverted over the other. Rats thus have free access to the bait, but 

 fowls are excluded. 



The following methods of poisoning rats are quoted as useful under 

 certain circumstances : 



"I took a box, made several holes in it, turned it upside down, 

 mixed strychnine and cheese together and put it under the box. I 

 then placed a heavy weight on the box so that no domestic animal 

 could get at it and put it in the granary and corncrib. This poison 

 is best because it acts so quickly that rats do not have time to get 

 back to their holes or crawl where any domestic animal can get at 

 them and they can be gathered up and buried." a 



A writer in the Agricultural Gazette used barium carbonate on 

 herrings, after first feeding the rats liberally on herrings to give them 

 confidence. After a couple of nights' feeding, the poisoned herrings 

 were substituted. The barytes was rubbed into the herrings with a 

 stick. Many rats were killed. b 



Use any kind of wooden box, like an old packing case. Make three 

 or four holes in each box large enough to allow a rat to enter. Feed 

 meal for several days; then omit for one day. Then mix arsenic 

 with the meal. c 



To destroy rats on farms. — Each evening when the cows are milked 

 place a little fresh milk in a shallow pan where the rats can get it. 



a A. E. L. in Mo. Valley Farmer for April, 1907. 



& American Agriculturist, vol. 9, p. 257, August, 1850. 



cThe Field (London), vol. 96, p. 624, October 30, 1900. 



