INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD. 273 



the following spring, and the moths soon afterward 

 issue. The larva feeds in all woolen cloths, and also 

 in hair-cloth, furs and feathers." 



Remedies. — Under this head we cannot do better 

 than to quote the following remarks by Dr. Riley, who 

 lately published an admirable series of articles, first 

 in Good Housekeeping and afterwards in Insect Life, 

 to which we are largely indebted for the information 

 and illustrations on this subject : He says : " During 

 the latter part of May or early in June a vigorous 

 campaign should be entered upon. All carpets, 

 clothes, cloth-covered furniture, furs and rugs should 

 be thoroughly shaken and aired, and, if possible, ex- 

 posed to the sunlight as long as practicable. If the 

 house is badly infested, or if any particular article is 

 supposed to be badly infested, a free use of benzine, 

 in the manner mentioned in my last article, will be 

 advisable. All floor cracks and dark closets should 

 be sprayed with this substance. Too much pains 

 cannot be taken to destroy every moth and every egg 

 and every newly-hatched larva, for immunity for the 

 rest of the year depends largely — almost entirely — 

 upon the thoroughness with which the work of exter- 

 mination is carried on at this time. The benzine spray 

 will kill the insect in every stage, and it is one of the 

 few substances which will destroy the egg. I would 

 however, repeat the caution as to its inflammability. 

 No light should be brought into a room in which it 

 has been used until after a thorough airing and 

 until the odor is almost dissipated. 



