132 



CONTROL. 



The writer recently discovered that the small brown ants 

 (Phcidole mcgaccpha'la ) were mortal enemies of these fleas. 

 They were seen swarming over the roosting-board and carrying 

 off both the eggs and the larvae of the fleas. This ant is already 

 recognized as a most valuable friend, from its habit of destroy- 

 ing the larvae of house flies, as well as many other destructive 

 pests. 



The water treatment, used against the larvae of ordinary fleas, 

 has proved most effective for these. Soon after discovering the 

 infestation of his hens, the writer began using the hose, washing 

 out the hen house ever}^ morning. Within a week the fleas on 

 the chickens became noticeably less ; and after two weeks treat- 

 ment they practically disapeared. The idea is, that the young 

 cannot exist under moist conditions, and, if the larvae are kept 

 from developing, the fleas on the fowls will soon disappear ; there 

 being no newly emerged ones to take the place of those that die 

 and drop off. 



Investigation showed that most of the reports of infestation 

 came from dry localities, and it was found that our wet districts 

 are not troubled. Using the water treatment, however, one must 

 recognize that the fleas are apt to breed in the dust in the yards 

 as well as in the roosting place. If these is a place where the 

 fowls dust themselves, it should be thoroughly wet down, at least 

 once a week — a light sprinkling of the surface is not sufficient. 



In the case of house animals such as dogs or cats, that become 

 infested, creolin can be used with good results. A 5 per cent 

 solution may be used for spraying their houses, bedding, etc. 

 This same treatment may prove valuable in ridding dwellings 

 of- fleas, where a free use of water is not practicable. For the 

 treatment of the animals, themselves, weaker solutions should be 

 used as follows : 



For dogs, 3% sol. — about 5 teasi)oonsful to a quart of water. 

 Cats, fowls, etc., 2% sol. — about 3 tcaspoonsful to a quart of 

 water. 



A FRUIT FLY ATTACKING PAPAW FRUITS. 



The Journal of Agricultural Research for September 12, 1914, 

 published by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, contains an 

 article entitled Papaya Fruit I'^ly. The papaya of the Southern 

 United States is the West Iiulian papaw ( Carica papaya), and as 

 this plant has some imjxjrtance from an economic point of view, 

 in certain of these islands, a brief abstract of the paper mentioned 

 above, which appears under the joint authorship of Messrs. 

 Frederick Knab and W. W. Yothers, may be of interest to read- 

 ers of the Agricultural News, says the latter journal. 



