Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-01-08
WAGE WAR ON RODENTS.
Department q Agriculture Advances
Organized Attack.

Rat clubs, the purpose Of which Is
to trap, poison, shoot, build out" and
otherwise combat rats and mice, are
advocated by the United States de-
partment Of agriculture as effective
agencies to help in getting rid Of these
pests and in making the country SAT-
er, more healthful, and less expensive
place to live in. Measures to combat
the destructive rodents are especially
desirable, in the opinion of the depart
ment now that special efforts are be-
ing made to reduce waste and so as
sure a sufficient food supply In spite
Of war conditions.
The rat, the department points out
in a recent Farmers Bulletin, House
Rats and Mice" Is one Of the worlds
worst animal pests. 1t lives In filth
and carries filth with 1t on its visits
to dwellings and store rooms, to pol
lutte and destroy human food. 1t car
ries bubonic plague and other dis
eases fatal to man and so brings
about the death Of great numbers Of
persons annually. 1t destroys crops,
eggs and young poultry, stored food,
and fabrics; causes fires; ruins arti-
fetal ponds and embankments by bur-
rowing; and, by gnawing, damages
foundations, floors, doors, furniture,
and much other property. The mouse.
though smaller, Is almost as destruc-
tive.
1t would be eminently desirable, the
bulletin shows. completely to extermi-
nate rats and mice. The task Is a
difficult one, however, since these ami
mails breed with alarming rapidity and
adapt themselves to almost all con-
ditions. Individual effort will accom-
plish little, since a dwelling or farm
freed from the pests Is soon repopu-
lated by migration from adjacent
territory. 1t is for this reason that
the department advocates the waging
or organized warfare on rats and m
including the formation Of rat clubs.
These organizations are not untried.
the bulletin says, since they exist
both in the United States and in some
foreign countries. A club in Kent,
England. destroyed 10000 rats in three
seasons at an insignificant cost. Wo-
mems municipal leagues In the Uni
ted States have recently taken up the
matter Of rat eradication, notably In
Baltimore and Boston. The depart
ment believes there Is an excellent op-
portunity for these activities to spread.
and expects boards Of trade. civic So
cieties, citizens associations. women's
clubs, both in town and rural COM
munities. boys corn clubs, 10y Scouts,
and similar organizations to take UP
the work.
In addition to the work Of local or
ganizations, there Is much that can
be done toward rat eradication by
states and cities, the bulletin points
out. Through laws and ordinances,
builders and owners can be required
to ratproof all new buildings, and
specifications can be adopted in the
construction Of sewers, drains; wharves,
railroad loading platforms, ana otnef
structures. that win prevent rats find
ing harborage about them. Better
sanitary measures can be enforced
about markets and stores and through
out cities, villages. and country dis
tricts- States may help the work by
protecting native hawks, owls and
other enemies Of rats which destroy
fewer poultry than rats Themselves.
Farmers may do their part BY rat
proonng dwellings and barns, by
lthreshing grain earlier. and by moving
Inc from the harm promptly. 50 that
rats and mice win not be harbored
land fed Individuals everywhere may
thsip by trapping and poisoning rsts
and mice and destroying them IN OH
t1 wsyA -. =. s.