lo Sept.. 19:0.] Homc/iold Insect Pcsis. 589 



Museum, recommends a rather novel method. He places a saucer con- 

 taining one part of plaster of Paris to four of flour, well mixed, and close 

 to it, another saucer full of water, with a few sticks resting against them, 

 so that they can easily get to the food and water. The cockroaches be- 

 come thirsty after a flour and plaster diet and then drink the water, with 

 fatal results. Pyrethrum powder (in.secticide) blown into crevices soon rids 

 a house of the.se pests. Fumigation by hydrocyanic acid gas is ab.solutelv 

 the most effective remedy, but owing to its dangerous nature, it should only 

 be used by experienced persons. Bisulphide of carbon has also been tried 

 with success, but this also requires the utmost care in handling, as it is 

 highly inflammable. Phosphorus paste has been found of value. It must. 

 however, be u.sed with great care; it should be placed in position the last 

 thing at night, and the remains removed in the morning before the children 

 are about. 



Ants. 



Several 'species of ants are found about houses, the small Black Ant, 

 the Sugar Ant, and the small Red Ant being the most troublesome. The 

 first named often make their nests in the walls, and are sometimes difficult 

 to find ; but when once located it is an easy matter to destroy them. 

 Syringe the nest with strong benzine, kerosene, boiling water, carbolic acid, 

 or bisulphide of carbon. The last named is one of the best remedies, but, 

 as stated before, care must be taken when using it. Sprinkling insecti- 

 cide about the crevices by which they enter is also a good method of 

 exterminating them. 



The so-called Sugar Ant {Camfonotiis nigrice-ps) makes large mound- 

 like nests. When the.se are noticed, procure a stout stick, and make a hole 

 about a foot deep. Into the centre of the nest pour about half-a-cupful 

 of bisulphide of carbon, and immediately close the hole over with clay or 

 some other heavy soil. The fumes from the carbon will penetrate through 

 the nest, and will not only kill the ants, but destroy the eggs as well. 

 This remedy has also been tried for the common Bull-dog Ants {Myrmecia), 

 Jumping Ants {Myrmecia nigrocincta, M. pilosula, 6^c.), and the small 

 Red House Ant {M ononiorium -pharaonis), with much success. The so- 

 called White Ant {Termes sp) is perhaps the most serious pest. In some 

 houses joists, uprights, and verandah posts are completely hollowed out 

 by these insects. A great mistake is often made by people when building 

 in a white ant-infested district. When clearing <he land of eucalypts 

 and other trees, instead of grubbing and burning the stumps, they allow 

 them to remain in the ground. These are often full of white ants. When 

 a house is built over these stumps or in the vicinity, it is then a simple 

 matter for the ants to leave the stumps, and to commence their work of 

 destruction. In such districts it is advisable to have the houses built so as 

 to permit of entrance under them for the purpo.se of examining the timber 

 in the joists from time to time. This is a common practice in main- 

 places along the Murray River, as well as in the Northern States. 



Remedies. — If the joists or beams are badly infested with white ants, 

 it is far better to have them taken out carefully and new "ones put in. 

 But the latter before being put in should be treated with corrosive sub- 

 limate dissolved in alcohol or even water. Carbolic acid may also be used 

 for this purpose. The old ones should be at once destroyed by burning. 

 Another useful remedy is Quibell's mixture (in proportions of one to thirty 

 parts of water) in which the timber should be dipped before using. 

 Painting the wood with tar is also a preventive. " Pre.servative Oil " is 



