The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1921-12-01
TO WAGE WAR on FIELD
MICE
Emmett Orchards Being Damag-
ed-Farm Bureau Outlines
Method of Control.

in the fruit sections of Idaho AM
their numbers have grown to sucl
proportions this fall as to constitute ,
menace. The damage to trees in tn,
Gaaebler, Tansing and VIM. Appel or
chards on the bench became so i'm
minent that Mr.. Aston, Mr.. Sorar
and Mr.. Appel sought the aid o.
County Agent Williams in combating
the pests. Mr. Williams called to his
assistance W. E. Crouch, in charge
| of rodent control for the University
Extension Division, and a campaign
for the determination of these dan
gerous rodents is already in progress
Mr.. Crouch makes the following
statement concerning methods to be
employed:
Large numbers of field mice pres
ent in orchards and alfalfa field in
Idaho this fall is very noticeable.
Most of these mice are known as mea-
dow mice. The meadow mice some
times increase in enormous numbers
and inflict heavy damage to alfalfa
fields and orchards. When even in
ordinary numbers they cause serious
injury to orchards and nurseries by
girdling the trees. The writer knows
OF several Instances where 20 per cent
and more of the fruit trees in or
chards were killed by meadow mice
this fall in Idaho, and in one large or
chard near Nampa, Idaho the loss
amounted to 100000 Their attacks
on trees are usually made in the fall
and in winter under cover of snow,
but may occur at any season under
shelter of dry litter or growing vege-
tation. They usually begin work soon
after the green vegetation has been
killed by frost.
"The injury to trees and shrubs
consists in the destruction of the bark
just at the surface Of the ground, and
IN some instances for several inches
above or below. When the girdling is
complete and the cambium entirely
eaten thru the action of the sun and
wind soon completes the destruction
of the tree. If the injury is discover
ed before it7is too extensive prompt
covering of the wounds will usually
save the tree. In any case of injury
by meadow mice heaping up fresh soil
SO as to cover the wound and prevent
evaporation is recommended as the
simplest remedy. To save large trees
bridge grating may be employed.
The presence of meadow mice is
indicated by their many run-ways and
trails which are mainly on the surface
Of the ground under dead grass, weeds
Or other trash.
"The first step in protection against
by meadow mice is orchard
sanitation by clean cultivation or the
destroying of all dead grass, weeds,
annd other trash in and. about the or
:hard, especially in close proximity
If the fruit trees. If this has not been
lone and the mice have infested the
orchards the best means Of destroy
ng the mice is by poisoning and then
cleaning all vegetation, dry grass and
,ther trash away from the trees, and
destroying all litter in and about the
"The following poison formula de-
'eloped by the U. S. Biological survey
8 recommended.
Direction for Poisoning Field Mice
MIX l tablespoonful of gloss starch
n n teacup of cold water, and stir .
nto one pint of boiling water to make
clear paste. Mix 1 ounce of pow
cred strychnine alkaloid with ounce {
| tablespoonful) of baking soda, and {
tir with the paste to a smooth, ,
reamy mass free of humps. Stir in
his u pint of corn syrup and 1-8
unce of saccharin. Apply to 16
uarts, or 80 pounds, of wheat and I
1ix thoroly to coat each kernel +
Distribute the poisoned wheat over .
he infested area, not more than a :
at place, care being I
aken to put it in mouse trails and at S
he entrances of burrows. To avoid Q
estroying birds it should, whenever !
ossible, be placed under such shell
rs as piles of weeds, straw, brush >
r other litter or under boards. The b
oisoning in order to be effective S
lust be carried out systematically i,
} that no mouse run-ways are omit /.
d, and care must be taken to get =
Ne poisoned bait directly into the n
,ed run-ways. G
If any orchard is badly infested F
ith field mice l advise that it be :,
loroughly treated with poison as :
ven above Immediately because if le
e mice are not destroyed now they ei
e likely to destroy many fruit trees it
: girdling doing the work under 81
yer Of snow this winter when it =.
ould be difficult to operate against IL