THE BEDBUG AND OTHER BLOODSUCKING BUGS 401 



Hcematosiphon modora Duges is a native American bug related to 

 the bedbug, found in the Southwestern States and Mexico. It was 

 probably originally a parasitic messmate of birds and bats, but has now 

 become an important poultry pest, and in those regions, due to the close 

 associations between poultry and human beings, is often a serious house 

 pest. 



TREATMENT OF BITES 



To allay the irritation caused by the bite of the bedbug peroxide 

 of hydrogen, or dioxygen, may be used with good results. 

 Tincture of iodine is also a good counterirritant. 



CONTROL MEASURES 



There is practically no information on adequate methods of con- 

 trolling the Triatomas. 



The bedbug when badly infesting houses may be controlled by fumi- 

 gation with hydrocyanic acid gas at the rate of 10 ounces of cyanide for 

 each 1,000 cubic feet, or fumes of sulphur at the rate of five pounds per 

 1,000 cubic feet. Such fumigation should be carried out as described 

 elsewhere (p. 325). 



In cases of moderate infestation it is possible at a slightly greater 

 cost of time and personal effort, to eradicate the bugs by a liberal 

 use of benzine or kerosene, introduced with small brushes or feathers, or 

 by injecting with syringes into all crevices of beds, furniture, or walls 

 where the insects may have concealed themselves. 



Corrosive sublimate and also oil of turpentine may be used in the 

 same way. 



Careful inspection of beds and bedding, particularly mattresses, is 

 important in any attempt to free a house of the bugs. The use of iron 

 bedsteads and bedding which is easily examined and treated facilitates 

 control. 



Travelers frequently have their luggage infested while at hotels and 

 in trains. On arrival at home it would be well to carefully examine the 

 clothing before putting it away. 



Very frequently bedbugs are introduced into homes with laundry work 

 which is carried to the home of the washwoman. Such wash work should 

 be carefully inspected on receipt. 



r 



LIST OF REFERENCES 



Blacklock, B., 1914.— Brit. Med. Journ., April 25, pp. 912-913. 

 Brumpt, E., 1912.— Bull. Soc. Path. Exot., vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 360-367. 



