20 FARMERS’ BULLETIN 1759. 
untreated timber in the ground or in moist concrete; let there be 
no wood in contact with the ground through which the termites may 
come up from subterranean galleries. 
Complete dryness of the foundation and basement walls and floor- 
ing is an important means of rendering buildings safe from attack; 
therefore, provide for air spaces between the ground and wooden 
flooring and lay concrete floors on a gravel base. 
In greenhouses, replace woodwork, wherever possible, with iron 
frames and concrete work. Treat necessary woodwork, before use, 
with a 1 per cent solution of bichlorid of mercury. 
HOW TO ELIMINATE WHITE ANTS ALREADY ESTABLISHED IN BUILDINGS. 
Promptly examine the foundation timbers and other woodwork in 
the basement to determine the approximate point of entrance and the 
extent of damage already accomplished. After removing the 
damaged wood, drench the ground with kerosene oil. 
Break up the earthlike shelter tubes by means of which white 
ants are sometimes able to pass over the surface of impenetrable sub- 
stances in order to reach woodwork, and. drench the ground beneath 
» with kerosene oil. 
Then replace damaged timber with rock, brick, or concrete; or, if 
this be impracticable, substitute, for the foundation, timbers treated 
with coal-tar creosote. 
Since termites always require access to damp earth, shut off this 
source of moisture, and the insects will not be able to extend the 
galleries farther and will perish. 
WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1916 
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