The Rural Voice, 1978-11, Page 29the hardest hit with rat infestations.
A recent survey of rural areas in
Saskatchewan showed that over a three year`
period. 70 per cent of all farm sites in the
province had a rat population. Grain
devators showed a similar figure.
Alberta is the only province in Canada
reported to be free of rats. The province
began a rat control program in 1952 that
stopped the westward migration of rats
across the prairies.
Now Saskatchewan is introducing a
control program that will expend $3 million
over the next three to five years. If the
program is successful it could save
Saskatchewan $20 million per Year based
on current estimations that one rat in a
year will cause $20 worth of damage.
If the Saskatchewan program is success-
ful. several other provinces with rat
problems could follow Saskatchewan's
lead.
George Laidlaw, a vertebrate pest
control expert with Agriculture Canada in
Ottawa suggeststhe following for anyone
with a rat problem around the home or
farm.
"A home or farm building can be made
rodent -proof by the use of concrete floors
and footings, tight -fitting doors and
windows and wire screens over basement
windows and vents. Sheet metal kickplates
can be installed on wooden doors to
prevent rats from gnawing into buildings."
"Store all feed, grain and supplies 30 to
45 centimetres off the floor and away from
walls.
"Rats must have water, so eliminate all
water sources such as leaky taps. open
water troughs and open drains."
"Eliminate all waste and trash material as
quickly as possible."
"Finally, if the rats are persistent, it
may be necessary to destroy them by
poisoning, fumigating or trapping. If
poisons are used to control rats. extreme
caution must always be used." Mr.
Laidlaw says.
"Rats are extremely adaptable in
making use of man's material, gaining
access to food stores or shelter areas as
well as surviving the many toxicants used
against them. The use of anticoagulants
such as warfarin do not always provide
satisfactory control. More and more rats
have adapted to anticoagulant poi sons
and have become immune to their effects."
New haytower
allows same day storage
An improved syst,.; 1 of haying could
soon take an import nt place in Canadian
agriculture.
The system involves the drying. storing
and mechanical handling of hay with a
relatively high moisture content in a
silo -like tower.
It allows farriers to cut forage in the
morning and. on a good drying day. move
it to storage late the same afternoon.
Dr. En -Zen Jan. a systems engineer at
Home
Hai"dware
Speed Queen
Supertwin and
Compact Dryer
Complete line of
laundry equipment
available
Member B.B:A.
887-6525 Upe° Frida, to 9 Brussels
FLEMING
FEED
MILL
Receiving Ontario
Clinton
482-3438
Corn
TWO DUMP PITS AVAILABLE
One Hydraulic dumper
One Hopper wagon Hoist
Open 24 hours a day
during Corn Harvest
THE RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1978 PG. 29