Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-10-14
Some of the Ways to Kill Rats.

Some OF the Ways TO Nil Rats.
The United States Department Of Agri-
culture has issued a pamphlet entitled
Chow to Destroy Rats" 1t was COM
piled by David E. Lantz, assistant in the
Bureau Of Biological survey. 1t is ahan-
dy little book
The history of the rat, from its first in
PRODUCTION into this country, showing its
manner and multiplicity and the destruc-
ton done by it, are given.
In the repression Of the rats, the use of
cement is strongly urged in the building
of new edifices, bridges, silos. dams,
tanks, cistern, curbs and such Stonework.
II is pointed out that if these places are
not constructed in rat-proof manner It is
only matter Of short time when the
rodents find lodgment in the walls and
foundations, and in a few years these
places often become infested with them.
In the construction and care OF house
il is pointed out that common mistake IS
failure 10 screen basement windows,
which must be opened for ventilation.
However the intruders are admitted.
when once inside they intrench them
selves behind furniture or stores. and are
difficult to dislodge, The addition OF in
ner doors to vestibules is important pre-
caution against rats. II is said that the
lower part of outer doors of public build
ings, especially markets, should be rein
forced with light metal plates to prevent
the animals from gnawing through.
In speaking of the annihilation OF rats
the book gives an interesting paragraph
in a few choice words. II reads
"Owing 10 their cunning il is not an
easy matter to clear premises OF rats by
trapping; if food is abundant it is impos-
sible. A few adults refuse TO enter the
most innocent-looking trap. And yet,
trapping, if persistently followed, is one
OF the most effective ways Of destroying
the animals" The guillotine trap is rec
commended for general use where the ro-
dents are not so numerous. This trap is
Simple in design and the more simple It
is, il is claimed, the more rats will enter.
II consists OF a wire fall, released by a
baited trigger and driven by colled
spring on flat surface, preferably OF steel
or metal. Where rats are numerous the
cage trap or the barrel trap is recommend
ed. The large wire traps should be made
of stiff, heavy wire, well reinforced. II is
said that many of these sold are useless,
because the rats can bend light wires
apart and escape.
The barrel trap is clever device, and
il is said that in one place 1900 rats were
caught in one of these traps in one night.
II is mostly used in warehouses where
the rats are plentiful. The scheme is for
several night to iced the rats on barrels
which are covered with brown paper.
After the rats become familiar with the
barrels slit one cut in the paper, and
when the rats come for their midnight
meal all fall into the barrel and are easily
killed in the morning Another device is
the pit trap. This consists Of a stout mar
row box, sunk in the ground so that the
top is level with the rat run. 1t is fitted
with a cover of light wood or metal in
two sections, the sections fitting nicely
inside the box and working independent
". They turn on rods TO which they are
fastened. They are weighted near the
ends OF the box and so adjusted that they
swing easily. An animal stepping upon
| the cover beyond the rods is precipitated
into the box, and the cover swings back
into place.
While the use Of poison is the best and
| quickest way TO get rid OF rats, the odor
from the dead animals makes the method
impracticable in occupied houses. Pois-
on, however, may be effectively used in
barns, stables, sheds, cribs and other out
buildings. Among the principal poisons
that have been recommended for the kill
| ing of rats are barium carbonate, strych-
nine, arsenic and phosphorus.
Other means of determination are dogs
cats and ferrets. Fumigation is also re-
commended.
Il