Author Topic: 20 mule team borax (Read 1335 times)

arkles · « **on:** March 04, 2003, 04:31:08 PM »

Asa or anyone else: I am wanting to preserve some bait using 20M.T. Borax- what would be the recommended amount per pint and is it helpful to dissolve in water like sod. benzoate? Also, does the type of flesh make much difference in its preservation qualities?

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2003, 05:11:14 PM »

Why not just use NaBenzoate?

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2003, 02:23:09 PM »

Arkles:
I've heard of trappers using Borax but I have not personally worked with it. Sodium benzoate is best and does not cost much from a trapping supply dealer. However, if money is a problem, one can preserve quite well with plain pickling salt purchased for the grocery store. Unless one is prebaiting where they may not want a salty bait or trapping around livestock or heavily populated deer areas, then salt is just as good as anything. I have no idea what borax might taste like if one was prebaiting or if it would attract livestock and deer to the set. Personally I have not noticed any difference between bait preserved with salt or sodium benzoate. Use 8 ozs of sodium benzoate per gallon of cut bait and let the bait then age in a cool dark place for a while until it quits working completely. Otherwise the bait jars might still explode. If one intends to bottle and use right away, especially in warm weather, they should double the amount of benzoate per gallon. This doubling the amount applies to fish also. Disolving it in water first helps to ensure the preservative penetrates well, complete and quicker. When using pickling salt double the amount one would use of sodium benzoate. Ace

CoOnKiD88 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2003, 03:54:05 PM »

i read in a book that it is better to use sodium benzonite than borox becasue if a critter steals your bait and he eats it, it will taste like soap- making not come to anything that smells like that. just thought id let you know.
-nIcK-

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2003, 04:23:52 PM »

Seems to me that that much table salt (NaCl) might begin to alter the chemistry of things and therby alter the bait. I don't know that for certian but your getting alot of salt in there.

NaBenzoate is a more specific growth inhibitor than simple salinity and therefore won't have much effect on the chemistry of the mix.

arkles · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2003, 04:49:28 PM »

Here's my problem: sod.benz. is on the dealers shelf and 20 mt borax is on the laundry room shelf. I wanted to get it done Thursday evening before I leave town for a wedding.
As far as other preservatives, I am going to mix some fish this summer with phosphouric acid to preserve. Why? because I have a drum left over from ensiling eggs and I like the "soupy" bait produced. Anybody else ever tried that?

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2003, 06:15:49 PM »

If you lower the pH enough you will inhibit growth of most organisms. However, there are some that are acidophiles. Concentration of acid is also a factor.

I'm sorry that I cannot be of more help on the acid and borax, which is infact, a basic substance. Can you chill your bait until you get some Nabenzoate? Borax preserves things to some extent but I associate its use in association with low of water content. I'm doubtful that the addition of Borax to bait will perform as you want it to.

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2003, 02:53:01 AM »

I have experimented with chunks of bobcat meat preserved with pickling salt and found no negative effects. In fact, with that much salt the fox and coyotes dug up and ate the bait everytime anyway, it didn't seem to affect them at all. I also did the same with salted smelt preserved in barrels, layered in salt. Same thing, they ate them everyday anyway. I have concluded that the taste of food to an animal, within reason, makes no difference. It is the food value content that they are concerned about eating for survival. Ace

Dan Mich Trapper · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2003, 03:06:56 AM »

Maybe I'm mistaken , but I think most animals are not offended by salt and in fact will sometimes go out of their way to get it . (deer , rabbits ,etc) I will not argue the effectivness of different chemicals and their affects on bait , but if the salt will preserve it , I dont see that being a bad thing .

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2003, 01:15:14 PM »

I wasn't thinking of the taste of things, but rather the effects of high salt on the odor / luring effects of the bait and any additions.

After observing the order in which coyotes consume a carcass, well, they'll dang sure eat anything; with or with out salt.

rascal (Joe Duncan) · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2003, 02:25:42 AM »

Anyone know how to preserve an old one? The rascal has been in the shed so long he is beginning to stink pretty badly. He also has some burro heads that are nearly as ripe as he is.

Dan Mich Trapper · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2003, 02:34:49 AM »

Boy something does stink in here !!! :wink:

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2003, 03:01:52 AM »

WHAT THE........ WHO THE.......... Dang is it Christmas?