RED-SQUILL POWDER IN RAT CONTROL 



Since the publication of Farmers' Bulletin 1533, Rat Control, 

 in 1927, in which the use of red squill was first recommended as a rat 

 poison by the department, large quantities of red- 

 Preparation squill bait have been used. The Bureau of Biological 

 of Baits Survey during the ensuing three years assisted in 



more than 150 cooperative county, city, and town cam- 

 paigns, in which more than 40,000 pounds of squill bait were used. 

 A careful check of results made in most of these campaigns indicated 

 that a thorough clean-up of rats (fig. 2) was made on at least 75 per 

 cent of the premises treated. This record furnishes ample proof of 

 the acceptability and efficacy of red-squill powder as a raticide. 



In using powdered red squill to destroy rats the choice of bait is 

 most important. The goal is to destroy every rat at one application; 

 otherwise survivors become suspicious and are hard to dispose of 

 later. This requires an ample supply of baits that will appeal 

 strongly to the appetites of the rats. Unfortunately, the tastes of 

 rats, like those of human beings, vary, so that it is not possible to 

 appeal to the palate of every rat with a single food. In order to 

 obtain the best results several kinds of bait should be exposed at the 

 same time, so that every rat will have a choice of foods. The follow- 

 ing directions for preparing baits are the result of long experience 

 of specialists in rat control : 



Fish. — Fresh fish ground in a meat chopper is one of the most 

 attractive baits for rats. If fresh fish is not available, a cheap grade 

 of canned salmon, canned mackerel, or sardines in oil may be used. 

 Mix 1 ounce of powdered red squill with a little water to form a thin 

 paste free of lumps, add to 1 pound of fish, and mix thoroughly. 



Meat. — Mix 1 ounce of powdered red squill with a little water to 

 form a thin paste free of lumps, and add to 1 pound of fresh ground 

 meat and mix thoroughly. Hamburg steak is most commonly used. 



Cereals. — Mix together dry 1 ounce of powdered red squill and 1 

 pound of cereal meal, such as oatmeal, graham flour, corn meal, or 

 bran. Add 1 pint of sweet milk or water and stir to a mushy 

 consistency. 



Fruits and vegetables. — Using a pepper shaker, dust powdered red 

 squill over thin slices of fresh fruit or vegetables and stir or shake 

 as the powder is applied to insure even distribution. A small musk- 

 melon, for example, should be cut into about 16 slices and each slice 

 cut into 3 sections. This will require 1 ounce of powdered squill 

 and will make 48 baits. Three medium-sized tomatoes or three 

 bananas, each cut into about 16 sections, may be similarly used for 

 each ounce of squill powder. 



So far as possible all sources of food for rats should be removed 

 before exposing squill baits. Garbage cans should be covered, food 

 hoppers emptied, and all accessible food put into 

 Exposing tight containers. The freshly prepared bait should 



Baits be exposed late in the afternoon in order that it may 



be reasonably fresh when the rats commence feeding. 

 Every part of the premises where rats are likely to be present should 

 be thoroughly treated, particularly those places in which rats have 

 been accustomed to feerl. A large number of small baits is more 

 effective than a few large baits. Put out the bait in quarter-teaspoon 

 pieces, or in quantities about the size of the average marble. Place 



