The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1920-03-18
GROUND SQUIRREL CONTROL.
By w. e. Crouch, Rodent Control Spec.
iaIist, University OF Idaho.

Because of the large loss i'm grain
crops caused by the ravages Of the
tground squirrel in Idaho, an article on
the subject of grouad squirrel control
may be considered timely.
The successful promotion of any ro-
dent control work is based upon several
fundamental factors, each of which
must be analysed and studied in its re-
lation to the others, and also in its re-
lation to local and statewide conditions.
The length of time needed to make
practical cleanup of ground squirrels
in any given area will depend some
what upon the LOCAL conditions, such as
topography, percentage of cultivated
land, non-resident landowners, degree
of local interest, and cooperation.
The recommended method of prepar-
ing poison bats is the ultimate result
of extensive and systematic investiga-
ton, carried on by the Bureau of Bio
logical Survey, U. s. Department of
Agriculture, under actual conditions
These formulas have been proven, to
be the most effective and economical
poison yet devised for the practical
determination of the ground squirrels
in Idaho
The fundamental factor in strych-
nine poisoning is to have the strych-
nine absorbed into the blood. In the
recommended method of preparing
poison BATS different form of strych-
nine is used, that is, strychnine aka
loid (powdered) which Is only slightly
soluble in water and contains more
strychnine to the ounce than the
strychnine sulphate, making it more
difficult for the squirrel to detect the
bitter taste of strychnihe and making
the poison stronger per ounce Of
strychnine. In this method the strych-
nine is not dissolved in water; the
grain is not soaked and the poison acts
through the mouth instead Of the stom-
ach. The recommended formulas for
the preparation of poison bats for
ground squirrels that inhabit the state
of Idaho are as follows:
Directions for poisoning ground
squirrels in Idaho, other than the Co
lumbar ground squirrel:
Mix 1 tablespoonful of gloss starch
in half teacup of cold water and stir
into half pint of boiling water to make
a thin, clear paste. Mix one ounce
Of powdered strychnineI (alkaloid) with
one ounce of baking soda (bicarbon-
ate), and stir with the starch to a
smooth, creamy mass, free of Jumps.
Stir in one-quarter pint of heavy corn
syrup and one tablespoo nful of glycer-
inc, and finally one scant teaspoonful
of saccharine. Apply to IL quarts Of
clean oats and mix thoroughly to coat
leach kernel.
Each quart of poisoned grain is suf-
ficient for 40 to go bats. This guam
tity, scattered q teaspoonful to a
place. along squirrel trails, or on
clean, hard surfaces near the holes,
will not endanger stock.
Caution: All poison containers and
all utensils used in the preparation Of
poisons should be kept plainly labeled
and out of reach of children, irrespon-
sible persons, and livestock.
Oats are used because these partic-
lular ground squirrels like these grains
better than any other cereal bait; the
oats put the strychnine just where it
will kill most effectively, that is in the
mouth, and these bats, using clean
grain win not kill small insectivorous
birds, in that very few, if any, small
birds eat oats. A big advantage in this
formula over the old soaked wheat
method is that the prepared poison
bait may be kept in quantities for
comparatively long time without mold
ing or deteriorating In any way When
prepared in large quantities for an en-
tire community, 1t may be placed in
lpropely labeled sacks and put out at
the earliest CppOrtune time
For Columbian Squirrel.
because or the fact that the Column
bian squirrel hulls the oats very care
fuiiy and thereby escapes the poison.
a little different method than that used
In the case of the Richardson. ground
squirrel is used. The poison prepared
according to the Columbian ground
squirrel formula, flakes off readily in
the squirrels mouth during the process
OF huliing and kills the squirrel in that
way. The Columbian ground squirrel
infests the wooded section of Idaho
north of Boise and Bellevue and is
readily recognized by its larger size,
longer ears and tail. and color. 1t
mas an obscure brownish streak along
the middle OF its back and the hind