‘‘WHITE ANTS’” AS PESTS IN THE UNITED STATES. 19 
be taken in handling this inflammable and explosive fluid, and the 
fumes should not be inhaled. 
In the experiments conducted by Borden, in the Department of 
Agriculture at Washington, an effective control was found in the use 
of a 5 per cent kerosene-emulsion solution.! In case the benches can 
not be replaced immediately on account of a certain crop, it has been 
found practical to soak the ashes or sand under the pots and the 
infested benches thoroughly with this solution. This may be done 
by removing the potted plants from a section of the bench, spraying 
that section, and moving the pots on the bench up to cover the 
treated area, thus exposing another section to be treated. Potted 
heliotrope and geranium have been treated directly with the 5 per 
cent kerosene-emulsion solution without injury to the plants and 
the white ants in the soil of the pots were all killed. This treatment 
should be given late in the afternoon and followed early next morning 
with a thorough syringing with water to wash the surplus oil out of 
the soil. It is important also to remove all infested pots promptly 
from the bench as soon as they are noticed and to destroy the white 
ants with kerosene emulsion. 
The removal of decayed infested woodwork in greenhouses will 
prevent the plants from becoming infested in turn. 
SUMMARIZED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROTECTION OF WOODWORK 
IN BUILDINGS. 
HOW BUILDINGS SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED SO AS TO BE “WHITE-ANT PROOF.” 
Where possible, make the foundation of buildings entirely of 
stone, brick, or concrete, including stone columns or pillars in the 
basement to support the floor above; make the walls and flooring in 
the basement or cellar also of concrete, and lay concrete floors on a 
eravel base. Fill in and round off points of juncture between con- 
crete walls and flooring so that these will not meet at right angles. 
Where stone or concrete foundations are impracticable, use timber 
impregnated with coal-tar creosote. 
Never completely surround beams with mortar or brick; leave an 
air space around the beams to permit air circulation. Set beams 
on stone or on concrete, not in the earth or in moist concrete. Rest 
the supports of porches or steps on stone or concrete. 
Lay basement window sills and frames over concrete and do not 
allow the woodwork to come in contact with the ground. Never sink 
1 Kerosene emulsion formula: 
Kerosene, 2 gallons. 
Fish-oil soap, 4 pound. 
Water, 1 gallon. 
Method of preparation: Dissolve soap in hot water and pour in oil slowly while constantly stirring so as 
to emulsify. 
Dilution: If 37 gallons of water be added to the above stock solution, it will give 40 gallons of 5 per cent 
kerosene emulsion, 
