328 JOrRXAL OF ECOXOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 2 



sistent effort is necessary to l)riiig- about anything like satisfactory 

 control. 



Colonies located in the ground can be destroyed by the well Ivnown 

 method of pouring bisulphide of carbon into the nest through an open- 

 ing made with a sharp stick and then covering the nest well with moist 

 earth. 



We have tested the solution of potassium cyanide, one ounce to the 

 gallon of water, used by Mr. R. S. Woglum of the Bureau of Ento- 

 mology, for destroying other species of ants in California, but have not 

 been satisfied with the results. In one experiment a fairly heavy 

 spraying of the ground with the cyanide solution failed to kill larv^ 

 and mature forms one half inch below the surface. As the under- 

 ground chambers not infrequently extend to a dej^th of 12 or 14 inches, 

 an immense amount of tliis solution would l)e necessary for effective 

 work. 



Crude oil as it comes from the oil wells, usually known in the South 

 as "Beaumont oil." is a valuable auxiliary in the fight against the 

 ants. It is certain death to any insect it touches, but being also fatal 

 to vegetation, its use is principally restricted to the destruction of 

 colonies which are exposed by the overturning of boards, boxes, piles 

 of rubbish, leaves, etc. Colonies of the ant are exposed when least 

 expected and in unthought of places. One inust therefore keep the 

 oil handy, ready for immediate application to the nests whenever they 

 are found. We have found the small compressed-air sprayers, which 

 are readily carried about and which are always ready, very convenient 

 for use in destroying these summer colonies. Crude oil, poured lib- 

 erally upon the ground where a colony has its underground abode, will 

 gradually work its way through the galleries and either destroy the 

 entire colony or destroy the major portion of it while the balance be- 

 takes itself to a less objectionable location. 



In lieu of the crude oil, hot Avater, kerosene, Kreso, Zenoleum, creo- 

 sote or other powerful liquid insecticides may be used for destruction 



have been found : In the earth, nnder l)oards, beneath shingles on roofs, in 

 rolls of wrapping paper, under rugs, in foundations, between walls of dwell- 

 ings, in attics, under bark of trees, in manure piles and compost heaps, in 

 tall grass, in bean bushes, in bags of sugar, in the tops of trees, in flower pots, 

 in the veneer covering of metal cans, in garbage cans, in piles of brick and 

 stove wood, between doors and their thresholds, in bee hives with colonies 

 of bees, under discarded roofing tin, in various places on steamboats, around 

 the roots of cotton and other growing crops, in the cinder ballast of railroad 

 tracks, in decaying logs, under brick and concrete pavements, within porch 

 pillars of wood, in hard clay roadways, in old clothes, under street car tracks, 

 in greenhouse benches, inside the husks of roasting ears and in old birds' 

 nests.- 



