HOUSE ANTS: KINDS AND METHODS OF CONTROL. 11 
have only slightly repellent properties and bring comparatively 
little benefit. 
The collection of ants by the use of attractive baits is frequently 
recommended. Perhaps as convenient a bait as any consists of small 
sponges moistened with sweetened water and placed in situations 
where they can be easily reached by the ants. These sponges may 
be collected several times daily and the ants swarming on them de- 
stroyed by immersion in hot water. It is reported also that a sirup 
made by dissolving borax and sugar in boiling water and distributed 
on sponges will effect the destruction of the ants in numbers. Reme- 
dies of this kind, however, are of doubtful value. They may be 
‘useful at the outset when the colonies are few and small and when 
most of the individuals may, by these means, be secured and de- 
stroyed. Very frequently, however, the distribution of such baits 
will simply result in a more wide exploitation of a good forage 
ground and an actual increase of the ant nuisance. 
A more efficient remedy, where it can be safely used, is a sirup 
poisoned with arsenate of soda, the idea being that the ants will 
collect this poison sirup and convey it to their nests, so that not only 
the ants which collect the sirup are ultimately killed, but the inmates 
of nests feeding on it also succumb. The formula for the prepara- 
tion of this sirup is as follows: One pound of sugar dissolved in a 
quart of water, to which should be added 125 grains of arsenate of 
soda. The mixture should be boiled and strained, and on cooling is 
used with sponges, as already described. The addition of a small 
amount of honey is said to add to the attractiveness to ants of this 
mixture. Naturally the greatest precautions should be taken in 
preparing this sirup and in safeguarding it afterwards to prevent its 
being the cause of poisoning to human beings or domestic animals. 
This method of control has been tested for three years by an expert?! of 
the Bureau of Entomology of this department and has given very sat- 
isfactory results. Similar success with it has been reported by others, 
including persons engaged professionally in insect extermination. A 
related formula experimentally worked out for the Argentine ant will 
appear in a special bulletin on this insect.?_ This formula is as follows: 
Granulated (St gara seat pee} op | oath cone be lyerryes ehh - 15 pounds. 
Vivid? e222 et ee eo ee See, SORE Nee Yo Sere 7% pints. 
MaArtarieician (CeyStallized))) 2-2 ae a Sg + ounce. 
Boil these ingredients together slowly for 30 minutes and allow them to cool. 
Then slowly dissolve three-fourths ounce sodium arsenite (NaAsO.) in one-half 
pint of hot water. Allow this to cool, then add it to the sirup, stirring thor- 
roughly. Add 14 pounds of pure honey to the sirup and the mixture is ready 
for use. 
1C. H. Popenoe. 
4 Barber, EH. R. The Argentine ant: Distribution and control. U. 8. Dept. Agr. Bul. 377. 
