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Bait Stations 



A special use of poison baits in fly control is in bait stations, 

 where the bait is applied to small pieces of screening. 



Although the fly reduction is not so rapid as with dry scatter 

 baits, in some situations the stations offer a means of baiting once 

 to get control that will last for a month or more. In an establish- 

 ment where 50 to 100 stations were used, the flies were reduced 90 to 

 99 percent for as long as 3 months. Since the stations provide their 

 own treated surfaces, it is not necessary to apply insecticides directly 

 to any part of the poultry shed. Their use thus avoids the staining of 

 walls sometimes caused by surface applications, particularly of formula- 

 tions containing sugar. 



Bait stations are not commercially available, but they may be 

 prepared from plastic- impregnated screening commonly used on poultry 

 farms. A piece of screening 4 inches square in which several holes 

 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter have been punched is stapled to a wooden 

 tongue depressor so that about half the depressor projects beyond the 

 screen. The screen is slightly bent to shield one surface from rain 

 and droppings. This surface is then coated with the toxic bait. When 

 the bait has dried, the portion that has flowed through the holes serves 

 to anchor it to the screen. (See photograph on opposite page.) 



The dry baits described in the table may be used on the screens, 

 but a special bait prepared according to the following formula is more 

 effective: 



5 lb. of granulated sugar 



5 lb. of clean, dry sand 



3/4 lb« of 25$ malathion wettable powder, or 



3/8 lb. of 25% Diazinon wettable powder 

 Two 3-ounce packages of household gelatin 



(sold in food stores for desserts) 

 2 to 2\ cups of hot water 



Thoroughly mix the sugar, sand, and wettable powder in a dry pail. 

 Dissolve the gelatin in 2\ cups of boiling water in a separate container, 

 and gradually add 2 cups to the dry ingredients. Use a trowel or paddle 

 for mixing; do not expose your bare hands to insecticides. The bait 

 should be the consistency of a thick paste. If too wet it will not 

 adhere to the screen and if too dry it may crumble. It may be necessary 

 to add some of the other half-cup of dissolved gelatin. Apply the thick 

 paste to the screen with a paddle or old knife, and allow it to dry over- 

 night. 



This amount of bait paste will be sufficient for about 150 stations. 

 The cost is approximately $5, including the plastic- impregnated screen, 

 which costs about $2. The quantities of ingredients should be propor- 

 tionately reduced if fewer bait stations are desired. Cheaper screen 

 may be used if the stations are not exposed to rain. 



