CHAP. XIX. 1 HOUSEHOLD P] 1 7 1 



Bedbugs and similar human parasites arc included in the 



chapteron " Insects and I ; nd need not be further referred 



to here as they are not usually inmates of any well conducted 

 bungalow. Should they gain a footing in a building, however, it is 

 often difficult to gel rid of them without fumigating the building or 

 at least the affected portion. 



Ants are often a nuisance in houses. If the nest can he found 

 it may sometimes hi- destroyed by pouring in kerosine or any 

 similar liquid and the holes then stopped up with solid crude oil 

 emulsion or tar. Small ants may often he trapped in large 

 numbers by laying down old sponges soaked in syrup (sugar and 

 water or jaggery) and dropping these at frequent intervals into hot 

 water, then rebaiting and putting them down again. Small ants 

 may also he killed off by attracting them to tins with pierced 

 covers containing a sponge or similar absorbent soaked with a 

 sweetened arsenical mixture prepared by dissolving one-quarter 

 ounce of Sodium Arsenite in hot water and adding it to a syrup 

 composed of 5 lb. sugar and l' 2 lb. water previously heated for 

 about three hours in a water-bath. The ants enter the tin through 

 the holes and carry off the po rup to their nest, thereby 



soning the young brood, whilst the tin keeps domestic animals 

 from eating the poisoned bait. Crude oil emulsion rubbed on to 

 the legs of tables, etc., will keep ants from running up. The water- 

 receptacles often applied around legs of meat safe-, etc.. to keep 

 ants away should have a little oil added to the water periodically 

 to prevent mosquitos from breeding there. 



Wasps and bees are often a source of annoyance in bungalows 

 by filling up keyholes, etc., and by daubing mud-nests on to books, 

 pictures, clothing or any suitable surface. A wasp or bee of this 

 sort, which has once determined to make its nest in - ular 



place, is most persistent in returning e\ en when its nest is destroj ed 

 and it is often difficult to dissuade it from its purpose without 

 killing it. Social bees and wasps sometimes build inside houses 

 and the smaller wasps (Polistes) which make hanging nests are 

 generally quite inoffensive and very useful .1- itcr- 



pillars, but the larger wasps and the Rock Bee may make a house 

 uninhabitable and require drastic repression by burning at night 

 or by fumigation. The big blue Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa) some- 

 times damage- buildings by boring holes in beams hut can 

 generally be discouraged by the application of tar. crude oil 

 emulsion, or similar substance to the entrance of its burrow. 



nites, commonly but inaccurately called "White Ants," 

 often do considerable damage m bungalow- especially when t! 



