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United States Department of Agriculture 
Bureau of Biological Survey 
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Wildlife Research and Management Leaflet BS-78 


Washington, D. ¢. mie é January 1937 | 
DIRECTIONS FOR DESTROYING HOUSE MICH 
Prepared in the Section of Predator and Hodent Control 
Division of Game Management 
Trapping.--House mice in the home, on a2 small farm, or in a business 
establishment may best be kept under control by trapping. The small wooden- 
base snap traos give good results, and their low cost maxes it practicable to 
use a dozen or more. Use plenty. Rebait and reset all traps each evening 
and place them in such manner that the mice in following their natural run- 
ways along walls, behind objects, or wherever partial concealment is afforded, 
will pass over the trigger. Traps set near the garbage pail, in the pantry, 
kitchen, or cellar, or wherever a mouse is likely to be attracted by food are 
most effective. 
Fresh bait is essential and preferably snould be tied to the trigger of 
the trap. Fresh bread, cake, and doughnuts are denendable baits, but these 
should be varied with others, as peanut butter, chocolate candy, cheese, fried 
bacon, Sardines, nut meats, or bananas. Rolled oats or other cereal may be 
sprinkled lightly over the trap as an additional attraction. 
Poisoning.~-For the control of mice on a larger scale, poisoning is 
sometimes necessary. The use of poisoned baits may also be desirable for the 
protection of property in homes or camps that are used periodically and shut 
up for part of the year. A simple method of preparing the baits is to mix one- 
eighth ounce of powdered strychnine alkaloid with an equal quantity of baking 
soda and stir thoroughly into 1 quart of rolled oats or corn meal. For ex~ 
tensive use the following formula is recommended: 
Mix 1 tablespoon of gloss starch in one-fourth teacup of cold water and 
stir into three-fourths pint of boiling water to make a thin clear paste. Mix 1 
gunce of powdered strychnine alkaloid with 1 ounce of baking soda and stir into 
the starch to a smooth creamy mass free of lumps. Stir in one-half pint of 
heavy corn sirup and 1 tablespoon of glycerin or vetrolatum. Apply to 10 pounds 
of canary seed and mix thoroughly to coat each kernel, and spread on paper to 
dry. The canary seed, or bird seed (Phalaris canariensis), can usually be 
obtained from bird dealers or seed stores and is preferred by the mice to other 
small seeds. 
