Inexpensive Bait Stations for Mouse Control in Tree Plantings

Protecting Northeastern conifer plantings from meadow mouse (Microtus pennsylvanicus) damage presents special difficulties when plots are surrounded by good mouse habitat. Although many plantings have not been severely injured by mice, others have been destroyed without warning. Usually the damaged trees were less than 10 years old. Since fluctuations in the number of meadow mice may be rapid and localized, an annual fall baiting program provides minimum insurance against winter mouse injury. Some provision should also be made to control those mice that move into the planting during winter months. Recognizing the necessity of keeping the per-acre cost low, we tested the possible value of paraffined or plasticized cardboard milk cartons as poisoned bait stations, (fig. 1). One-half pint cartons were used; these were the lift-lid type having a 11/8-inch hole near one corner of the top. They cost 11/2¢ each at a local dairy. The cartons were half filled with poisoned grain bait and set out in conifer plantings at about 50-foot intervals. The tab covering the hole was removed and the carton placed on its side so that the entrance hole was in an upper corner (fig. 1). This gave some protection from water and helped to prevent spilling of the bait by mice. Bait stations were placed adjacent to mouse runways where possible. These baited cartons were tested in three 10-acre plots in central and western New York. Plots with high numbers of mice were selected.

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Author(s): James W. Caslick, W. Robert Eadie

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 20, Number 1 (1969)

Volume: 20

Number: 1