Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-02-02
Destroying Rats and Mice.


There Is many a farmers barn at
this season which might be appro
priately termed huge "ratary,"
from the number Of these destruc.
tive little animals, which infcst it.
The amount OF grain destroyed by a
few dozen rats would keep IL hog or
COW through the winter, and it is Il
pity to let such vermin consume
food which is 50 much needed by
more useful animals, when, by lit
tie care and attention. it might BE-
saved. The deslructiveness of rats
al mice, however, does not stop
with the grain, they g,aw holes
through bins, barrels aud other YES
sels, frequently letting their ccatent>
run to waste; beside harness, car
riages robes. grain bags and various
other articles III constant danger of
being destroyed by the pes 8.
But, say some vi our core pond
cnts, "we have tried almost every
thing, to rid our premises of these
pests, all to no purpose, and here
they are this winter as abundant as
ever" The dog, cat and trap have
all made war upon the rats without
an appa ent diniuntion of their num-
bers, all of which may be true, but it
is question it the few destroyed by
these means have not been u bene-
tit. Rats are migratory in their hab-
its, and they very soon discover
where the best food can be obtained
at the least risk of their lives, hence
they will go from one barn to anoth-
er, or even travel miles in the night
to find a peaceful, quiet place where
at the same time food is abundant.
We have known them to vacate a
farm-barn in night, in consequence
of one of their number being severe
ly wounded with shot. Then again,
no amount of shooting, harrassing
with dogs and traps would make
them leave, still there is way in
which ones premises, especially
farm buildings, can be freed from
this vcrmin, and that is by poisoning
But before man attempts to make
IL raid on rats and mice with such
weapons, he should prepare q private
apartment for their especial rccep-
ton where larger animals cannot in
trude. A room in the cellar or attic
may be set apart for this purpose, or
even Il large box will answer, the en-
trance TO it being just large enough
to admit victims. Then royal
IcaSt may be pre- AIRED for them of
bits Of cheese, bread and oatmeal
cake, but not at first poisoned, Tor
when there is plenty of grain about,
rats are not readily cnticed into new
quarters in search of food. But, aft
er battling them tor Il few days the
work of destruction may he begun.
Ot course, there are Il variety of poiS-
ons which can be used, but some of
them are quite to dangerous to have
about where there are dogs, Is and
other larger animals who may pick
and eat Il poisoned rat or mouse,
consequently we recommend some
kind not quite as dangerous as pho>.
phoruS paste and strychnine, al
though these can under many circun-
stances be used with safety. But
whatever poison is employed, water
should always be placed convenient
ly at hand, and inside of the room
or box where the poisoned food is
sci, III order that the rats may qucnch
their thirst and die OH the spot.
AS rats are very Intelligent and ca
pahle of warning their fellows Of
danger, it Is frequently necessary TO
change the location of both traps
and poisonS if the animals are vely
abundant abou, the premises.
P"iso" No. IA pint OF plaster
of Paris thoroughly mixed with Il
quart Of oatmeal will prove fatal to
either rats or mice.
HDiSon No. 2.-Carbonate of Barry
ties two pounds, common lard, one
pound, mixed together and left where
the rats can find it. 1t Is tasteless,
odorless, and impalpable, and pro-
duces extreme thirst, causing death
Immediately after drinking.-Bmfa-
10 Com. 4dcertiser.