Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 Western Australia, Series 4
Volume 5
Number 1 January, 1964 Article 4
1-1-1964
Vermin control this month Vermin control this month
Department of Agriculture, Western Australia
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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Department of Agriculture, Western Australia (1964) "Vermin control this month," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 5: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol5/iss1/4
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Vermin Control this Month
THE effects of the very wet winter are no longer being felt in vermin control activities in most of Western Australia and they have returned to normal.
RABBITS Poisoning
In areas where the Inspector-Operator Scheme is functioning—and this consti- tutes over 75 per cent, of the shires in the agricultural areas—work is progressing with the emphasis on poisoning and warren destruction.
Work in these areas is not so much influenced by the season, but farmers are asked to keep a check on where the vermin control officer is operating. When he approaches your property, work your stock into rabbit free areas so that poisoning, if it is needed, can be carried out without hindrance and waste of time.
In areas where poisoning units are still used group vermin control officers have been organising schedules and itineraries for the operators to follow. The concerted attack by units will get under way in January and you are asked to make all the necessary arrangements for moving stock before the unit comes onto your property.
Further advice regarding "one-shot" bait used under the inspector-operator scheme is contained in an article in this journal.
If more information is required you are asked to contact your nearest Department of Agriculture office, or the vermin control officer in your district.
Warren Destruction
January is a good time to rip warrens.
The soil in most cases is dry and will flow well into cavities made by a ripper. In most circumstances, double or cross- ripping is desirable and is a more efficient
means of controlling rabbits than ripping one way only.
The follow-up work, necessitating re- ripping or fumigating is an important phase and should not be neglected.
Warren destruction is a permanent means of control only if rabbits are prevented from re-inhabiting the treated warrens.
FOXES
Young foxes are now well and truly established amongst their adult community and are starting to learn all the tricks and cunning which we associate with this animal. However, they are still com- paratively uneducated and if they can be controlled at this stage much of the trouble at lambing time will be eliminated.
Young foxes at this time are easily baited and will eat practically anything. Half grain strychnine tablets should be used and placed well inside small baits of fat, liver, meat, parrots etc., or proprietary baits can be bought from most shire councils.
GRASSHOPPERS
Once the harvest is completed farmers in the "hopper" belt can possibly devote a little time to measures designed to pre- vent a build up of grasshoppers next spring. Ploughing is the best means of doing this.
Working the grasshopper control pro- gramme in with general fallowing or seed- bed preparation work is a convenient way of "killing two birds."
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Journal of Agriculture Vol 5 No 1 1964
