State dropping new bait to fight raccoon rabies

BURLINGTON — Vermont’s rabies bait drop is starting this week to prevent the spread of the disease among wildlife.
A new bait is being used this year to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies into Canada. It’s covered with a sweet-scented dark green waxy coating with a label to help people identify it. Previous drops used a fish-scented bait.
The Burlington Free Press reports more than 227,000 baits will be dropped from U.S. Department of Agriculture planes and another 15,000 will be placed by hand in eight counties in Vermont and in Coos County in New Hampshire.
The baits are not harmful to children or pets. If discovered, people should use a plastic bag or glove to move it to an area where a raccoon or skunk could find it.