112 INJURIOUS INSECTS OF KANSAS. 



in the way of cedar chests and cedar wardrobes, and various com- 

 pounds in the way of powders, has been urged by writers on these pests. 

 But experience fully proves that, after a thorough treatment in May or 

 June, garments may be safely put away for the rest of the season with 

 no other protection than wrapping them closely in stout paper, to pre- 

 clude infection through some belated female. 



Cloth-covered furniture which is in constant use will not be harmed, 

 and the same may be said of cloth-lined carriages. Where such furni- 

 ture is stored away or kept unused in a dark room, or where the car- 

 riages are left in a dark coach-house through the summer, at least two 

 sprayings with benzine, say once in June and once about August 1st, 

 will be advisable. Another plan which will act as a protection in such 

 cases is to sponge the cloth linings and covers, on both sides where 

 possible, with a dilute solution of corrosive sublimate in alcohol, made 

 just strong enough not to leave a white mark on a black feather. 



Kansas Notes. — An imported pest, common all over the United 

 States. 



ANTS. 



(Family, Formieiclce; Order, Hymenoptera.) 



Diagnosis. — Ants in greater or lesser numbers infesting the house. 



Description and Life- history. — Ants are too familiar to require 

 ■describing. They have strong jaws, which they use effectively. 

 They belong to the so-called " social insects," and large numbers 

 live together in one nest. The eggs and young are cared for by 

 the adult workers. The young are helpless, footless grubs; in 

 the pupal stage they are populai-ly known as "ant eggs," being 

 inclosed at this time in little, white cases, which are frequently to 

 be seen being carried about by the adults. Long lines of work- 

 ers, extending from food-supply to nest, are often seen, the ants 

 passing to and fro, and carrying particles of food to the nest. If 

 many nests are established in a house, the foraging ants quite 

 overrun the premises. 



Remedies. — The best remedies are those applied to the nests. 

 By careful hunting, tracing up lines of ants, following food- 

 carrying workers, etc., the nests may be found, and if they can 

 then be reached, hot water, benzine (see p. 10) or bisulphide of 

 carbon (see p. 10) may be applied, killing young and old. Care 

 should be exercised in using inflammable substances, as benzine 

 and bisulphide of carbon. 



