RISKY PLAGUE RODENTS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4355, 14 December 1921, Page 1

RISKY PLAGUE RODENTS

VARIETY OF TRAPS,

HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S ADVICE.

Part of the Government Health Department’s campaign against rats consists of pithily prepared literature, describing, the various kinds of traps employed. For example,. the following information has been received in a circular letter by the Paeroa Borough Council from the Health Department :—

TRAPPING. Trapping should be carried ouc continuously- after the use of poison has somewhat decreased the rats, anti the remaining ones have begun tv fight shy of the poisonous baits. In trapping far less depends on the kind of trap than upon the trapped.. Whatever form of mechanical trap is used it must be handled as little as possible in setting, as rats are very cun- ■ ning, with a keen sense of smell, and unless some precaution is taken the trap may be destroyed oy its odour. This can be avoided by either (1) wearing gloves, (2) smearing .tae hands with some essential oil, such as oil of rhodium or aniseed, (3) well rubbing the hands with earth. The same type of trap should not be set for more than one or, two nights, after which another kind s|hould be trie I. All traps should be kept clean and m good order, and oiled when necessary. The mechanical traps which experience'has shown to give good results are the following : (1) The “ Steel gun ” or toothed spring trap. This can be obtained direct from Henry Lane, Eagle Works, Wednesford, Staffe, and is called the “ Small Dorset Vermin Trap No. 4.” (2) The breakback trap, the Nipper and the Sentry. T,hese are made by Proctor Bros. Ltd... Leeds Wire Works, Call Lane, Leeds. (3) Wire Cage Traps. Various patterns are on t(he market, some of which can be purchased direct from Alfred Clifford Hawley, Kent. (1) The Steel. Gun is set unbaited in rat runs. It should be placed lengthwise with the run and never across the; run, as when the rat touches the plate the jaw of the trap is released, rises under hie belly (if set across the run) and throws tbe r rodent out of t|he way of the closing teeth. Set the trap as lightly as possible, place firmly in position, and secure to the ground by means of. the chain and a strong peg. Earth or chaff is lightly sifted over the whole trap, so as to completely hide it from view, at the same time the surrounding earth should be packed as tightly as possible so a’s to make the ground look quite natural. The earth or chaff used for covering the trap should not be touched with the hands, Do not disturb the natural surroundings or the general features of 1 the rat run more ' than necessary. Sometimes it is possible to set a trap at the-en-trance or just inside a rat hole. In this ca , se some of the.earth will have to be dug out in order to set the trap properly level, etc., hut the ground should he.made quite firm afterwards. No raised eart(h should be left indicating the spot where the gun is set. The material for covering traps should match the surroundings,. anil may be-leaves, grass, earth, chaff, or earth mixed with leaves', whichever is most suitable. (2) The Break-back Trap.—lt is quite a good trap. The bait should be changed after a rat has been caught. Any suitable bait, may be used. The following is one recommended by Boolter: Take a pound of good flour, three ounces of treadle, and six drops ofi oil. of carraway. Put all into a bowl and mix them well, and then put a pound of crumbs of bread to it. (3) Wire Cage Traps.—There are several varieties on the market and often prove very effective in granaries, etc. One called the “ Brailsford ” is a very good type. Albert Clifford Hawley, Kent, has 'on the market a patent cage trap which has been very successful. A considerable amount of time and patience is required when using cage traps. Jt is best to set a dummy trap handling it as little as possible, and set with doors open and fixed so that rats can enter, consume tlie bait with impunity and escape.. The wire cage is hidden as much as possible by covering it .with straw or other, suitable material. After a couple of nights set the trap correctly and a good haul of rats should result. Kill the rats by placing ’’he whole cage

in water. The Outwit Rat Trap is manufactured by J. Simpson and Sons, Ottey, Yorks. This will kill six rats at

one setting. Birdline Traps.—Liverpool, for toe general treatment of rats, has relied on a special birdline trap with which excellent results have been obtained.

It is necessary to observe the habits and study the haunts of the rats by close observation before putting the traps down. Rats as a rule run close to pipes and walls so as to come to water supply and food. The birdline preparation is made by mixing linseed oil and resin. This is put into trays and in the centre of the tray some attractive bait is placed on a piece of cardboard which .must not be submerged. It is necessary to break the surface of the birdline layer from time to time so as to renew the fPm and lay the trays carefully during the evening.