42 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



these pests, since they invariably require access to a liberal amount 

 of food for an extended period. Any materials likely to produce 

 numbers of these insects should not be allowed to lie undisturbed 

 and accessible for a series of months. Most of these pests can 

 easily be destroyed by heating the infested material to about 125 

 or 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This should be done carefully and 

 time enough given so that the heat will penetrate and destroy all 

 of the insects. Anything infested should be promptly cared for 

 either by destroying the entire package or treating the same with 

 fumes of carbon bisulfid. 



Fumigation with carbon bisulfid is comparatively easy of exe- 

 cution since it is only necessary to put the material in a tight 

 pail or can, put on the top a spoonful or thereabouts of the 

 insecticide in a shallow saucer or plate, cover the receptacle 

 tightly and allow the whole to stand for preferably 24 or 36 

 hours. This insecticide may be used on a large scale accord- 

 ing to Dr W. E. Hinds, at the rate of 3-5 pounds to 1000 

 cubic feet of space. 



FUMIGATION WITH HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS 



This is one of the most effective methods of destro^^ng insects 

 in houses, particularly if the infestation is general. It should be 

 remembered at the outset that potassium cyanide, sulfuric acid 

 and their derivative, hydrocyanic acid gas, are among our most 

 active and deadly poisons. They should be handled with extreme 

 care and every precaution taken to avoid an accident, since a 

 slight mistake might result in one or more fatalities. 



One ounce of high grade, 98% cyanide of potassium and one 

 fluid ounce of the best commercial sulfuric acid, diluted with two 

 fluid ounces of water, should be used for every 100 cubic feet of- 

 space. These amounts should be doubled for poorly constructed 

 houses. The fumigation should last at least 30 minutes and it 

 would be preferable to have it continue three or four hours, or if 

 feasible, all night. 



Prior to treatment all fluids, especially liquid or moist foods, 

 should be removed from the house. Arrangements should be 

 made to open the building from the outside after the fumigation 

 is completed. Windows and doors should be sealed as tightly as 

 possible, either by stuffing damp paper in the crevices or pasting 

 strips of paper over cracks. Chimney places, ventilators and other 

 orifices should be closed tightly. The gas is generated by dropping 



