The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-08-20
PEST OBSTACLES
ARE THREE-FOLD
SAY MEMBERS OF nth ANNI1Ar,
MEET OF PSYCHOLOGISTS
AT BOHEMIAN

frOmpt to insect FORE
casts, adequate information that
will prompt sufficient and timely
funds for control and a wide-awake
populace on the lookout for injuri-
u insect pests, were cited as the
chief obstacles in the way of the
perfect" control program at the
18th annual meeting of the Inter-
national Great Plains conference
of e~ntomologists held at Montana
State college late last month.
The entomologiSts who attended were
the foremost in the field from Mani
toba, Saskatchewan and Alberta across
the 'line," and from Minnesota, North
Dakota and Montana. DR.. A. L. Strand,
president-elect of Montana State COL
lege served as secretary of the meeting.
The several entomologists each gave
reports of insect problems within their
area, which later were summed up and
condensed. AS the host state presented
its problems in more detail, the bulk
Of this session dealt with Mormon
crickets and grasshoppers.
In the summary of reports covering
the control of crickets and grasshop-
pers, the en~tomologists placed lack of
information at the top of the list of
obstacles in the way of a perfect con-
troll program.
Each state in the great plains area
is furnished each year with a complete
report of insect forecasts. Lack of in
formation among those interested in
farming, prompts a minimizing of the
Importance of these forecasts. The re-
suit is generally, too small appropria-
tions and those too late, by, county,
state and federal governments.
Lack of information raised obstacles
during the poisoning campaign also,
the e~ntomologists said. Bait mixed
improperly, Wastefu proportions OF the
poison, poisoning too early in the day,
poisoning in uninfested areas, and not
enough applications of poison to young
grasshoppers, were cited as occurring
frequently as a result of too little in
formation.
The g%rasshopper bait has proved that
it will poison grasshoppers often
enough, yet improperly mixed bait, i'm
proper operations and other faults in
control, destroy farmers faith and
cause them to stop poisoning just when
poisoning is most necessary. The en-.
spread in pixies, contrary to recommen-
dations, killed stock, while if it had
been spread thinly as recommended,
grasshoppers and not cattle would have
been killed.
One of the points stressed was that
farmers and ranchers as well as every
one interested in agriculture, be re-
ull1lOeQ every yCd1 VI GI1C A41oSSG uo4A6SA
They should be urged to be on the look
out for the pests and report them i'm
mediately. Crickets, which gather in
bands right after Matching and then
march in a definite direction, could
easily be spotted. Once spotted they
could be controlled before reaching
crop land. ,
The entomologists also admitted that
getting rid of these two pests appears
futile under the present system. Both
crickets and grasshoppers have pre-
ferred breeding grounds. Some OF these
are known already. The cheapest and
most efficient method Of control is to
find these breeding grounds and to
poison every year. The present system
Of waiting to start control until after
the hoppers and crickets are doing
damage is "wasteful."
They cited instance after instance OF
farmers and ranchers organizing for
grasshopper control. With cowpunchers
and farmers all on the lookout Tor
breeding grounds, they were located
and poisoned as soon as found. In every
case the grasshoppers were controlled.
The entomologists will hold their
next meeting in Saskatchewan, the
place to be announced later.