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Show REPORT OF RODENT CONTROL IN BEAVER CO. BY COUNTY AGENT LEW MAR PRICE Rodent Control The rodent control project in Beaver County, Utah, during 1931 includes the following phases named in order of their prominence, the first heing several jtimps as large as all others combined: Piute Ground squirrel, jack rabbit, gray squirrel, pocket gopher, and mice. The Piute ground squirrel infests approximately 4,800 acres of agricultural agricul-tural lands in the county in addition to unimprove territory on all sides of the developed lands. In ..the past five years attempts at alfalfa seed production have resulted in keeping irrigation water off the major portion of this area, and the unsuccessful attempts at controlling the squrrels with early baiting have permitted them to multiply rapidly. Estimations have placed the numbers varying from1 20 on the lower infestations infes-tations to as high as 400 per on the more heavily infested areas. Several corroborations of the seemingly extreme ex-treme numbers have been made. Using 1930 activity and results as a basis to determine the probable amount of bait that would be used for Piute ground squirrel control in the county in 1931, 800 pounds of government mix was ordered from the government mixing station at McCammon, Idaho. When the squirrels started appearing appear-ing from hibernation in February, inquires and requests for the bait started to come in. News articles in the local press called attention to the failure of early baiting in previous years, and of the very great success from late season baiting 1930. The bait arrived early, but was withheld from use until late April when it was placed in a local feed store in the infested valley, and advertised ad-vertised through the local press. The local feed store gave their services j without commission in distributing ' the bait to anyone who called. The S00 pounds of bait was used up in a very short time, and another I S00 was secured from the District Agricultural Inspector in neighbor ing counties. Of this amount 20 pounds remained unused until late August when it was used for gray squirrels. Results from the use of this bait were 100 per cent favorable. Actual counts were made by cooperators of 100 squirrels killed on the surface per pound of bait distributed. It is a well known fact that many squirrels die under ground and are never counted. In no case were estimations by coperators below 50 squirrels killed kill-ed per pound of bait. Using the average of the actual surface counts and the lowest figures which was estimated, we find 75 squirrels killed for each of the 1600 pounds of bait, making a total of approximately ap-proximately 120,000 squirrels killed this year at a cost of approximately $100.00 for bait. Taking the figures of the U. S. Biological Survey the feed consumed and destroyed by this number of squirrels would feed 5,454 head of sheep, or an average of 67 head of sheep for each of the 81 cooperators. Success in this phase of the project this year is attributed to three principal prin-cipal factors, viz., uniformly mixed bait of good quality; distribution of the bait in late season, when squirrels squir-rels would eat it as shown by demonstrations demon-strations in 1930 and which was contrary con-trary to practices adhered to in past years; and to the whole-hearted cooperation co-operation of the feed store in making the bait easily available at the right time. Jack-Rabbits Jack-rabbits have not been a serious ser-ious problem in Beaver County during dur-ing the winter for 1930 and 1931. No need was seen for coopei-ative action and only a few calls from individuals with isolated farms have come to the agent. These were taken care of individually in-dividually using approximately 220 pounds of alfalfa leaves. During May and June seven individuals indi-viduals were assisted in checking the pests by baiting with 125 pounds of green alfalfa cut into half inch (Concluded on page four) . u REPORT OF CONTROL OF RODENTS IN BEAVER CO. (Continued from page one) lengths onto which the strychnine was dusted. This method gave very satisfactory results. One attempt with strychnine and salt failed entirely. en-tirely. It appears that during the summer of 1931 rabbits have increased rapidly rapid-ly near the fields, and will be a problem prob-lem for concerted action during the coming winter. Gray Squirrels The area affected by gray squirrels is not nearly so large, nor the pests so numerous as the ground squirrel in Beaver County; but considerable damage is done in the small secluded areas reported. Twenty-three cooperators have used us-ed 358 pounds of bait which consisted of corn, wheat, or oats ,mixed locally for the purpose, treating farms approximating ap-proximating 600 acres of infested area. In no case was the entire farm infested, differing in that way from the ground squirrels. The season is about closed, and probably no more will be done this year. Reports from individual cooperators cooperat-ors of squirrels killed varied from 50 to several thousand. No accurate estimate es-timate of the number killed nor the benefits realized by the cooperators can be made from the reports received. receiv-ed. Two specific cases were known where an entire field of corn and another an-other of potatoes were destroyed by the squirrels before control measures were instigated. Pocket Gopher Pocket gopher infestations in the county are rather limited, except on the National Forest where they are causing alarm. Control measures are through individual farmers rather than groups in campaigns. Two demonstrations have been given by the agent with only three in attendance on each occasion. Each of those attending has baited for the gophers ,and each reports success in his attempts. Only about 12 quarts of bait have been used, but it has served materially in stopping the spread of the pests. Mice The work on mice has been largely around farm buildings, few attempts at-tempts at field mice control having been made. No record has been made. No record has been made of the number iappjying for bait for mice, but it has been much larger than was anticipated. Kangroo mice in one small area have been treated with considerable 1 success having been reported, but no basis for estimation of results is known. . Conclusion efforts in this project have been well rewarded by very satisfactory satisfac-tory results, and, as far as is known, cooperators are 100 per cent satisfied I and willing to carry the project to the fullest extent of its needs in the V future. o |