Evening star., 1960-12-04
.Four-Leg Pests
Controlled by
Poison, Traps
BY WILBUR II. YOUNGMAN
star Garden Editor

BY WILBUR II. YOUNGMAN
star Garden Editor
Now that frost has put an
end to most Of the bugs and
blights we I have the annual
battle with mice If we are to
protect our bulbs, perennials
and In some areas even the
shrubs and trees. OF course,
there are those places where
the mice move indoors with the
coming of cold weather and so
are not so much a problem as
where they have to stay in the
garden.
The control Of mice can be
somewhat of a problem unless
the family cat is a real forager.
Cats have been known to keep |
the mole population under con- |
troll. occasionally the squirrels |
and rabbits. Moles have an |
odor repeatedly offensive to cats |
and so a cat whose killer in
stinct is strong enough to over
come the odor should be
regarded as priced possession.
Watch POisons Carefully
Unfortunately. this happy
circumstance does not prevail
in every garden and the prob
lem then becomes one of find
ing an acceptable substitute.
Most garden supply stores offer
various kinds Of mice poisons
which win do the job if prop
erly handled. Such materials
should be put In areas where
the mice are known to be ac-
tive. They should be put
beneath the grass and foliage
where the runways are located.
and since they are poisonous
they should be put in some
container which will keep them
beyond the easy reach of pets
and birds. The number two
substitute is the well-known
mouse tray of which they are
many kinds. They too are most
effective when properly placed
and baited. They will do the
job and are entirely feasible
except possibly on the larger
estate. Daily supervision Is
essential for best results.
The Government agencies
having to do with the control
Of these pests suggest the use
of zinc phosphide and strych-
nine applied to cubed apples,
rolled oats, ETC., but both are
highly poisonous and the zinc
phosphide does not seem to be
available locally in consumer
sized packages.
How to Curb MOIes
The mole problem is with us
Summer and winter and is q
real toughy. However, a thor
ough grub-proofing of the lawn
is usually most effective in
driving these pests out of the
yard. Traps are q poor second
best means of eliminating them
from the garden.
Ground squirrels. gophers, or
chipmonks as they are often
called, are another of the four
legged pests that can do much
harm in the garden. They live
in holes or beneath the shrub
berry. Trapping is often prac-
ticed but must be done with
skill to be effective. Poison
bait Is o recommended method
as is gassing with calcium
cyanide. This too is highly
poisonous and should be ham
died with care. Another method
that might well be attempted
is to attach a rubber hose to
the exhaust pipe of the lawn.
mower engine and to insert the
other end in the burrow. Start
the engine and let the exhaust
fumes fill the hole for five or
ten minutes.
Note - Detailed instructions
for the preparation and use of
the poison bats referred to
above may be obtained from
the Fish and Wildlife Service.
United States Department of
Interior. Washington Is. D. c.
The one on control of field
mice is Conservation Leafier
No. SO; moles-bulletin 16. The
one on ground squirrels is Wild
life Leaflet 356, and the one on
tree squirrels is 403.