The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-03-19

and kills the squirrel in that way The
Columbian ground squirrel infes,s the
wooded section of Idaho north of
Boise and is readily recognized by its
larger size. longer ears and tail, and
color. 1t has an obscure brownish
streak along the middle of its back
and the hind parts of its hips and its
thighs are bright brownish red. The
formula for preparing the bait is as
follows:
Mix together dry, one ounce of
powdered strychnine (alkaloidl, one
ounce of baking soda. one teaspoon
full of saccharine, and three table
spoonfuls of flour. Add a little cold
water and stir thoroughly to a smooth
creamy paste. Apply to 10 quarts of
clean oats and mix thoroughly to dis
tribute the poison evenly.
Each quart of poisoned grain is
sufficient for 10 to 50 bats. This
quantity, scattered Gone tablespoonful
to place. along squirrel trails. or on
clean hard surfaces near the holes,
will not endanger stock.
N. B.-Strychnine in any form 9TH
er than the commercial powdered ak
aloid is not effective in the above
formula.
Naturally poison prepared accord
ing to this formula cannot be mixed
in large quantities and be left for
very long time without having the
poison dust off from the kernel How
ever. it does not dust off much within
ten days or two weeks.
Factors Governing Distribution.
Z The question when is the best time
to poison ground squirrels presents a
fertile field Of argument in Idaho
From experience it has been found
that the most effective way to elm
mate unnecessary argument on this
point is simply to state that, "the best
time to poison ground squirrels is
from the day you see the first one in
the spring until there are none left in
your county" This statement en-
phasized two important factors-that
is the necessity of thorough any sys-
tematic work. and also the fact that
the squirrels will eat the bait at prac-
tically any time of the year during
which they are active, If the bait is
prepared according to either of the
foregoing formulas Cooperating far
mers are always advised, however, to
poison as early in the year as possible.
In this way the natural increase Of
young squirrels is automatically elm
mated and it is also much easier to To-
cate the burrows early in the season.
1t is urgently suggested that a tea
spoonful of the recommended bait be
scattered on the clean hard surface
of the ground near every burrow in
the area to be poisoned. The reason
for not putting the bait in the burrow
lies in the fact that the ground squir-
rel does not find his food there. Ais,
in running in and out of the burrow
a considerable amount of bait would
be covered up and wasted. The pois-
oned bait is not put on the mound
of the burrow because of the fact tina,
the squirrel in cleaning out the bur
row is very likely tocover it up with
dirt. In scattering a teaspoonful
of bait on the clean hard surface Of
the ground near the mouth of the
burrow. the squirrels find the bal,
most readily and under the most fav-
orable conditions. Placed in this man.
ner and in scattered teaspoonful guam.
titles at place there is no danger Of
poisoning stock, even in pasture fields
Careful attention to pasture fields
roads, uncultivated fields as we'll a.
cultivated fields during all times o.
the year while the squirrels are &C
tive, has been demonstrated to brine
permanent and satisfactory results If
the practical determination of tn,
ground squirrel.