1 62 First Report on Economic Zoology. 



Destructiox of Termites and their Nests. 



When the nests can be located much good can be done by destroying 

 the nests and inmates. This may be done by pouring kerosene oil or 

 carbolic into the nests. The action is temporary, however, for it only 

 •drives many of the ants away to form fresh nests. 



Use of Arsenic Poisons for the Insects. 



A far better plan is to put arsenic and syrup into the openings of 

 their tunnels or into the nests. The arsenic may be mixed up with 

 sugar into a thick syrup. Paris green would probably answer well. Tlie 

 insects will feed off this and soon die, and it has been found that the 

 dead Termites are devoured by other Termites which themselves become 

 poisoned, and so great numbers are destroyed. Experiments should be 

 made in this direction and if successful should be carried out on a large 

 scale. "Where this plan has been tried in isolated nests it has met with 

 "marked success. 



Clearing White Ants from Wood-work. 



When present in wood-work of a house or other building, Riley * 

 suggests injecting steam or hot water or kerosene wherever an opening 

 seems to lead into their burrows in timber. 



Destruction and Prevention where damaging living Trees. 



When the Termites attack trees by eating away the bark about the 

 collar and root, the earth should be removed from the infected parts 

 and the ground should be exposed to the depth of several inches, and 

 the dead wood and bark cut off with a knife. A liberal supply of hot 

 water will destroy those that cannot be reached with a knife. Pyrethrum 

 and kerosene enudsion in extreme dilute solution can be applied with 

 success, but the latter should be used with great caution. Trees which 

 have been girdled may be saved by inserting scions between the root 

 below and the stalk above, thus re-establishing the connection between 

 the two. A poultice of mud and cow-dung applied to the affected part 

 will protect it and assist in the formation of new bark.f 



Woods not attacked by White Ants. 



From a report concerning the ravages of the White Ant in St. Helena 

 it is gathered that certain woods resist the attack of these pests better 

 than others. The wood of Myrtacexz and teak were found to be the last 

 attacked and to resist their ravages. A correspondent in West Africa 

 informs me that they will not touch pitch-pine as mucli as other woods. 

 Oalifornian red wood also appears to be free from attack.^ 



* " Insect Life," II. 253. 



t Riley, " Insect Life," I. 341. 



X Bull. 30 (N.s.), Dept. Agric, U.S.A. 



