182 HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



It is often difficult to locate the nest and sometimes, when 

 found, it will be in an inaccessible situation, for example, 

 in the foundation walls, or under the floor, or in some other 

 equally secluded and protected place. One writer sug- 

 gests that the black ants may be traced to their nests by 

 baiting them with broken pieces of rice, farina, or cream 

 of wheat. The ants will carry these pieces of white food 

 to their nests and may be quite easily traced in this way. 

 Perhaps the red ant may be followed to its home by this 

 means. When the colony is located it may be treated with 

 carbon bisulfide by pouring an ounce or two of the liquid 

 into each of several holes made in the nest with a sharpened 

 stick, after which the mouth of each hole should be quickly 

 stopped with a clod of dirt. A heavy wet blanket thrown 

 over the nest will aid in retaining the gas and tend to make 

 the fumigation more effective. The liquid evaporates 

 quickly and the gas permeates the whole nest, killing 

 queens and workers and exterminating the colony. By 

 attaching a torch to the end of a long pole and extending 

 it out over the nest while the operator stands at a safe 

 distance, the gas may be exploded and the fumes driven 

 into all corners of the colony. If the colony is located in 

 the foundation walls, the problem will be much more 

 difficult and may be impossible of solution. The difficulty 

 will be in reaching the nest with the liquid. If the nest 

 is located under the floor, it may be necessary to remove 

 a piece of the flooring in order to gain access to the 

 colony. 



In the use of carbon bisulfide, it must be remembered 

 that the gas is inflammable and explosive and no form of 

 fire or light should be brought near the place being fumi- 

 gated. 



