CONTROL OF HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



35 



parts, in a saucer and place the preparation about the haunts of 

 the pests. Near by there should be a saucer containing a little 

 water and made easily accessible to the roaches, by laying a few 

 sticks as bridges up to the rim. The insects eat the mixture, 

 drink the water and soon succumb. 



There are several methods of trapping cockroaches, particularly 

 the larger species. A deep vessel partially filled with stale beer 

 or ale can be placed in roach haunts and small sticks adjusted so 

 that the insects can crawl over the edge and to within a short 

 distance from the surface of the liquid. The pests fall into the 

 trap and, being unable to escape, are drowned in large numbers. 

 This method is of comparatively little service with the smaller, 

 more wary croton bug. 



Larder beetle^ 



The parent insect, a stout, dark brown beetle with the base of 

 the wing covers mostly yellowish, is frequently rather common 

 about houses in May and June. This in- 

 sect breeds by preference on animal matter 

 such as ham, bacon, various meats, old 

 cheese, horns, hoofs etc. The very hairy, 

 brown grub is about half an inch long 

 when full grown. 



Meats and other food stuffs attractive 

 to this insect should be stored in places 

 inaccessible to the beetles. It is said that 

 old cheese can be used very successfully for 

 trapping the parent insects. Cheese or 

 meat infested by the grubs should have 

 the affected part cut away and the surface 

 washed with a very dilute carbolic solu- 

 tion. The packing of meats in tight 

 bagging is of considerable service in preventing attack. 



Cheese skipper 



The cheese skipper^ is the young of a small, black, glistening fly 

 about 1 6 of an inch long. The white, cylindric maggots are easily 

 recognized by their peculiar jumping power. This is accomplished 

 by bringing the two ends of the body together and then suddenly 



'Dermestes lardarius Linn. 

 'Piophila casei Linn. 



, 22 Larder beetle, seen 

 from above, enlarged. (Orig- 

 inal) 



