The Rural Voice, 1978-07, Page 271
i
1
Think mosquito
control
Mosquitoes. which irritate both livestock
and people, are on the wing. However an
outbreak of encephalitis. a virus spead by
certain mosquitoes in 1975. is unlikely this
summer. Dr. G. A. Surgeoner, Depart-
ment of Environmental Biology. University
of Guelph. is keeping close watch on the
mosquitoes. which usually transmit the
virus to birds first.
Thirteen sentinel chicken flocks in
southwestern Ontario are blood -tested
weekly for signs of the St. Louis virus strain
which •.'•4� rr•,+nrted in the Windcor. Sarnia,
A farm library
for $50 a year
By Donald Shaughnessy, CA
Rural libraries often
seem to take the view that
farmers don't want to study
their occupation; but no
matter, it will cost less than
550 a year for any farmer to
develop a superb library of
his own.
Assemble your library on
the principle that a viable
business needs current
information to survive, as
indeed a York University
study on small businesses
has proved. And if it
applies to manufacturers
and commercial businesses
it surely applies to farming
where technology and
methodology is constantly
changing.
One excellent volume
that every farmer should
own is the Ontario Min-
istry of Agriculture and
Food's publication, The
Agricultural Handbook. It's
actually two volumes of
assembled bulletins and is
available at $12, plus 53 a
year for a subscription to
the supplements which are
constantly issued.
It is a management tool
seen very infrequently in
the farm home. Yet it's one
that financial advisers have
used as the basis for advice
that has saved their clients
many thousands of dollars.
Carefully cross-indexed,
St. Catharines and Welland areas a few
years ago. This is the best means of
detecting the virus before it spreads to
humans.
The research is supported by the Ontario
Ministry of Agriuculture and Food in
collaboration with the ministries of
Environment and Health.
if the virus is contracted, most healthy
individuals suffer no more than a fever or a
headache, although severe symptoms may
develop in some people.
Dr. Surgeoner makes the following
suggestions for mosquitoes control:
— Think mosquito control before there is
a problem. If your yard is inundated by
hordes of mosquitoes each year, there
must be a nearby breeding site.
— Mosquitoes usually multiply in still
water. Homeowners should make sure
low-lying areas are leveled to prevent
water from gathering.
— Drainage ditches, gutters and drain-
pipes should be unclogged to allow water
to move freely. Disposing of empty cans
and old tires gives mosquitoes less chance
to breed.
—Water in wading pools, ponds and bird
baths should be changed every few days.
Keep swimming pools properly chlorinated
and filtered.
Dr. Surgeoner says controlling the larval
stage of the mosquito with chemicals is
often more successful than trying to kill the
adult. "Zappers and sonic repellants are
not effective under our test conditions of
normal backyard use. Generally. less than
four percent of the insects killed were
mosquitoes."
However, insect repellants have been
shown to prevent mosquito bites. thus
discouraging the nuisance insect and the
possibility of the spead of encephalitis.
Dr. Surgeoner recommends homeowners
send for a booklet called "Controlling
Mosquitoes and Blackflies in Ontario".
Write to the Ontario Ministry of the
Environment. Pesticides Control Section.
135 St. Clair Avenue Wesi, Toronto.
Ontario M4V 1P5.
HYDRAULIC
LIVESTOCK TRAILER
THE HIGH -LIFT, NO -CHUTE, WALK-ON HYDRAULIC LIVESTOCK TRAILER.
Shown is the Rink Model 614 High -Lift Trailer ... raises to 50" above
ground, and equipped with 40" sides. Note, when trailer is either raised
for travel or lowered for loading and unloading, the hitch remains at the
same level ... no need to disconnect hitch from towing vehicle or trac-
tor. This trailer can be closed in for winter.
Now available with an elec-
tronic scale system. Read-out
box can be easily mounted on
side -frame.
PHONE 519-395-5107
FOR MORE INFORMATION
RIEGLING FARM EQUIPMENT LTD.
7 Miles W. ofLUCKNOW on Hwy. 86
THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 1978. PG. 27