THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 241 



not parasitic. Between dread of the mites and excess of work in trying 

 to exterminate them, Mrs. Eby was reduced to a state bordering on 

 nervous prostration, brouglit on by undue excitement and a false notion 

 that the mites were there to stay for good, no matter what means be 

 adopted to effect a remedy. 



Method of Treatment. 



After securely shutting the windows and doors of the house, I fumi- 

 gated thoroughly with Hydrocyanic acid gas, using 24 ozs. to 1000 cubic 

 feet. This strength was used in order to insure that the gas might enter 

 the partitions and circulate around the wood thoroughly. The unfavour- 

 able internal condition of the house made it difficult to estimate the exact 

 strength required to kill all the mites. After the fumigation all the rag 

 traps that had been left around were subjected to a careful and thorough 

 examination, and all the mites present were found to be dead, except one 

 sole survivor, that was taken from a trap placed in one of the wardrobes. 

 Thi-s being so, nothing would satisfy the exacting demands of the 

 occuj-ants but another immediate and stronger fumigation. This was at 

 once carried out, 32 ozs. to 1000 cubic feet space being used. This 

 appeared to prove quite affective, and no more living mites were to be 

 found. 



Before the fumigation, the Ebys tried burning sulphur for 24 hours at 

 a time, and found this treatment to be of no avail, the mites being quite 

 as abundant after the treatment. Turpentine and Carbon bisulphide had 

 also been tried, but with little or no effect. 



In conclusion, instructions were left to carry out the following plan of 

 procedure : Close all the openings in the walls, and repaper the house 

 with light-coloured paper. The wardrobes to be made of planed and 

 finished lumber, and papered. To fumigate with Hydrocyanic acid gas, 

 24 ozs. to 1000 cubic feet space if the mites should reappear. Nothing, 

 in fact, but the utmost cleanliness and watchfulness will prevent the 

 appearance of the mites. All energies must be bent towards prevention. 

 Food supplies and old clothing liable to be infested should be inspected 

 daily during hot weather. 



A report has recently been received from Mrs. Eby, stating that a few 

 mites are yet living. This point goes to prove their extreme tenacity of 

 life, and it is altogether likely that in every such house kept dark, and 

 fitted with unfinished rough lumber, nn"tes will be found. 



