EXPERIMENT STATION WORK WITH INSECTICIDES. 279 



THE HORN FLY. 



The horn fly is reeognizi'd as a serious post to cattle throughout 

 the country, and methods for controlling it have been investigated 

 at various stations. In Virginia " it is found that kerosene emulsion 

 is a very successful means of controlling this pest. In applying this 

 remedy a chute 20 feet in length or longer should be constructed in 

 connection with the barn. At first the cattle may show some resist- 

 anee to the spraying o})eration. but they soon become accustomed to 

 the treatment. It was found that daily si)raying for a period of 

 two weeks reduced the number of horn flies to the point of insignifi- 

 cance even in cases of the most excessive infestation. Fifteen gallons 

 of diluted emulsion prepared from ^ pound soap and li gallons of 

 kerosene oil is sufficient to treat 100 cattle. 



FLEAS. 



Among the various household insect pests fleas are one of the most 

 troul)lesome to eradicate. In New Hampshire'' creolin was found to 

 be the most satisfactory remedy for this pest. For dogs a 3 per 

 cent solution was recommended, and for cats a 2 per cent solution. 

 The animal should be thoroughly washed and the application will 

 destroy the adult fleas as well as the larva\ The application 

 should be made as soon as any infestation of dogs and cats is ob- 

 served. This method, when comj^ared with others, was found to 

 irive bv far the most satisfactorv results. Commercial creolin mav be 

 purchased at any drug store and forms a milky solution when mixed 

 with water. It may be applied to dogs and cats by washing with 

 the hand or brush or by submerging animals in the prepared solution. 



MOSaUITOES. 



"Within recent years an unusual interest has been developed in the 

 destruction of mosquitoes on account of the fact that they are agents 

 ill the transmission of malaria and yellow fever, as well as great 

 sources of annoyance to man. Methods for their exterminati(m have 

 been studied at several experiment stations. In Michigan '' it was 

 found that the usiial remedies reconnnended for mosquito extermina- 

 tion, such as draining, treating j)()ols with jH'troleum, and introducing 

 fish into ponds were (juite successful. When kerosene was applied 

 to water for the destruction of mosquito larva\ it was found that its 

 effects lasted for about three weeks. Much of the vegetation with 

 which the oil came in contact was destroyed. In Mississippi '' better 

 drainage of low-lving areas is recommended, and in grass-grown 



« VirKinIa Stn. Bui. Ifvi. c Michigan Sta. Spec. Bui. 17. 



'' New Hampshire Sta. Hul. !>4. <» Mississippi Sta. r.ui. 74. 



