The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-04-06
THE SQUIRREL PEST
A Contagious Disease Prevails
Among This VermIn.
MAY CAUSE THEIR EXTINCTION
Farmers Aae suppl"men''nG he work of
Nature with Poiso-, Traps
and Bombs.

Colfax, April lit has been the hope
and prayer of all farmers in the south
ern and western parts of the county for
several years past that some kind of
q contagious disease would break out
or could be inoculated into the trouble
some ground squirrel. Several attempts
have been made to breed some kind of
a disease among them, but all seem to
have been unsuccessful.
In view of these numerous unsuccess-
full attempts and the interest taken in
the matter, considerable comment was
caused a few days ago by the report
coming from near Penawawa that there
was some kind of a disease which was
killing the pests In large numbers and
the country might hope to be free from
their devastating ravages.
The Spokesman Review correspond
ent has made an extensive trip through
the infested district in order to investi-
gate the authenticacy Of the reports
and the extent to which the disease is
proving fatal. There seems to be no
doubt that there is a contagion among
them which is proving fatal to a few,
though not to the extent as has been
represented. The first effect on the
animals is to make them dumpy and
stupid then scabs or sores appear on
the body of the animal, and soon they
lose the use of their hind parts and are
barely able to get around. Very few
dead squirrels were found, but the ami
mails seem to be less numerous than
they were a few weeks ago. This de-
crease in numbers is explained by some
observers by the fact that the females
have gone in their holes to have their
young, but it has also been noticed in
districts where the young squirrels are
old enough to get out of the holes.
The diseased squirrels seem to be
more numerous in proportion in those
parts of the country where they are
thickest, although in some places where
they are very thick there is no sickness
noticeable. Some places about one
third of all the squirrels seemed to be
affected, but 1t was difficult to estimate
to what extent it is fatal. The district
affected by the disease is in the form
of a strip 80 or more miles long and six
or eight miles wide, extending west
from Penawawa to the Palouse river
1t seems to be at its worst along AL
kali fiat about Henry Ackermans place
Some places in this strip the disease has
not been noticed at all.
Already preparations are being made
to spread the disease. Inquiries come
from all over the country concerning
the authenticacy of the reports and the
effect it is having to decrease the mum
bers and ravages of the pests.
But while farmers are anxiouslS
watching the outcome of the infection
they are by no means idle in aiding
nature to destroy their enemy. Traps
guns, bombs, and all kinds of poison'
are used to aid in their destruction
One firm here has already sold over 50'
ounces of strychnine and other poison!
in proportion. Arsenic seems to b,
springing into favor as destroyer, bu
some who have been experimenting
with II report rather unfavorably. Since
the success of the western one-third o
this county depends almost entirely OF
the discovery of some method which
will promptly and effectively extermin
ate these miscellaneous little animals. al
new suggestions to that end are thank
fully received and given a fair trial.