Household Insects. 91 



into boiling water. Lard or fat may be used as a bait and then 

 burned after it has become well covered with the insects. A 

 syrup made by dissolving borax and sugar in boiling water is said 

 to destroy ants in large numbers. This should be preceded when 

 practicable by the removal of other attracting substances. The 

 above measures would prove of value in case of infestation by 

 other species of ants. 



CochroacJws. — There are two species commonly found in houses, 

 particularly in cities, the smaller, light brown croton bug, rep- 

 resented at figure 6, plate 6, and the larger brown or black cock- 

 roach. The egg capsule of the former is shown at figure 5 of 

 plate 6. Both species prefer the vicinity of water pipes, sinks, 

 etc., and if abundant anywhere in a house are to be found some- 

 where about the kitchen. They subsist on almost any article of 

 food, but it is not so much what they devour as their disgusting 

 odor, etc., that render them objects of abhorrence to the house- 

 wife. The croton bug is more wary than the other species, which 

 latter can be enticed to vessels of stale beer and if sticks be ar- 

 ranged so the creatures can easily get over the perpendicular sides 

 of the vessel and be obliged to drop a little distance in order to 

 get at the liquid, many can be trapped in that manner. Sugar 

 and paris green well mixed and placed about their haunts will 

 soon diminish their numbers greatly, but paris green is a danger- 

 ous poison and can not be used with safety where there are chil- 

 dren. Hooper's fatal food is said to be nonpoisonous and it has 

 proved itself thoroughly effective in a number of places. Prof, J. 

 G. O. Tepper, Adelaide, South Australia, recommends a mixture 

 of one part of plaster of paris and three parts of flour, with water 

 near by. The roaches are said to eat the mixture, drink the 

 water and die in a short time. The insects are said to disappear 

 in a few weeks. This is not expensive and is certainly worthy 

 a trial. 



Bedbug. — It is almost impossible to prevent one of these creat- 

 ures from occasionally making its way into the home, particu- 

 larly is this true where many guests are entertained or members 

 of the family travel to a considerable extent. Once in a while a 



