Household Insects, 89 



mediate Ticinity. Frequent brushing and cleaning, supplemented 

 in some instances by the use of fresh pyrethrum powder, benzine, 

 kerosene emulsion or other contact insecticide, will soon stop the 

 breeding of these pests, but may not kill the adults as they are 

 quite resistant to such substances. Where practicable, the adult 

 fleas may be reached by fumigation with sulphur or hydrocyanic 

 acid gas. The latter is very dangerous and the greatest care 

 should be exercised when it is employed. 



Carpet Beetles and Clothes Moths. — There are two species of car- 

 pet beetles commonly found in houses, the Buffalo carpet beetle, 

 Anthrenus scrophularim, and the black carpet beetle, Attagenus 

 piceiis. The hairy, shaggy larva (plate 5, figure 2) of the former 

 species is pretty well known to the housewife. The parent in- 

 sect is a small oval beetle about one-eighth of an inch long and 

 prettily marked with red and white on a black background, as 

 represented at figure 3, plate 5. The larva of the black carpet 

 beetle is easily recognized by its slender form and tail of long 

 hairs, plate 5, figure 4. The parent insect is similar in shape to 

 the preceding species, but is a dark brown or black, plate 5, figure 

 5. The artist has also represented a two-spotted lady beetle 

 (plate 5, figure 6), an insect which is frequently taken for a carpet 

 beetle. This pretty lady beetle and others of its kind are bene- 

 ficial and should be protected. If they can be recognized in no 

 other way, remember that the under side of the lady beetle is 

 nearly flat, while both carpet beetles are very convex and hence 

 will readily rock when placed right side up on a level object, un- 

 less their legs are extended. 



Before passing to a consideration of remedies, the clothes moths 

 will be briefly noticed. There are several species attacking 

 clothes. Their work is familiar to almost everybody and in a 

 badly infested house it is by no means uncommon to see the deli- 

 cate moths Qjmg about the rooms. The larvse, as is well known, 

 show a marked preference for woolen and fur goods. 



The young of all these insects do not like light, air and dis- 

 turbance. Hence one of the best protective measures, particu- 

 larly for garments, is brushing and airing from time to time. 



