I20 Second Report on Rconomic Zoology. 



In answer to this and further correspondence the following report 

 was sent : — 



" There are two species of White Ants found in Southern Europe, 

 namely, Caloterme^ fiavicoUu and Termes lucifvgus. The former 

 inhabits the neighbourhood of the Mediterranean Sea, They dwell 

 in the branches and stems of decaying and dead trees and obtain 

 their nourishment from the wood where the decay is not far 

 advanced ; they live inside the stems. No special habitation is 

 made by this species. 



" The species damaging your houses is probably Termes l.ucifiignfi. 

 This species also burrows into wood of various kinds and is well 

 known to attack furniture and habitations. It excavates the wood- 

 work it attacks and also makes galleries, beneath which it can move 

 from place to place without being exposed. 



" With regard to destroying them, the first thing to do is to find 

 out the nests and galleries. These may be actually within the house 

 or may be in old stumps or trees outside. If you can find out their 

 abodes then they are easily killed by putting into their galleries 

 every here and there arsenic mixed up with syrup ; they feed upon it 

 and are soon killed, others come along and eat the dead bodies and 

 are thus also killed and so on again and again until the colony is 

 destroyed. 



" Another plan recommended is to pour kerosene or carbolic down 

 crevices in woodwork, etc., where they are working, but, I believe, 

 this only drives them elsewhere. Eiley suggested injecting steam or 

 boiling water wherever an opening seems to lead into their burrows 

 in timber. Ground woodwork through which they commence their 

 attack should be soaked in arsenious soda dissolved in mineral oil. 

 Houses where these pests occur should never have wood nearer than 

 two feet from the ground and no creepers up them or they are sin-e 

 tu be attacked. All deafl stumps of trees and decaying timlier 

 around houses should be burnt, as the attack often originates from 

 such sources. 



"It is impossible to tell where White Ants are at work in wood 

 if it is hidden, such as unilerground work, but one can usually tell 

 where wood is exposed both by tapping and listening with the ear 

 close against the woodwork. A thin steel would easily penetrate 

 attacked wood and a small hole made and arsenic and syrup squirted 

 in with a syringe would destroy them. 



" If the house is not very badly damaged the spoilt woodwork 

 could of course be replaced, and, if this is done, I woidd certainly 

 treat it first with arsenious soda. 



