THE BED-BUG. 



199 



cracks, will kill all insects including the eggs, with which it 

 actually comes in contact. This spraj^ing has to be repeated 

 from time to time, and if carefttlly and thoroughly done the 

 bed-bugs have no chance to exist in such beds or rooms. If 

 we paint the cracks in a bed-stead or the wall, the ends of 

 the slats, and all other suspected places, with one ounce cor- 

 rosive sublimate dissolved in a half-pint of alcohol and one- 

 fourth pint of oil of turpentine, we have an excellent remedy. 



Fig. 162. — Larva of bed-bug found 

 in nest of swallow. Greatly enlarged. 

 Original. 



Fig. 163. — Adult of bed-bug found in 

 nest of swallow. Greatly enlarged. 

 Original. 



All remedies are best applied in early spring, so as to kill all 

 the old hibernating females before they have deposited eggs. 



While traveling, it is well to remember that bed-bugs 

 are only active during the night and that they abhor light. 

 So if forced to sleep in a bed suspected of containing such 

 unwelcome inhabitants it is wise to permit the lamp to burn 

 all night. 



Bugs, very similar to bed-bugs, attack chickens, pigeons, 

 swallows and bats. Those found in the nests of swallows 

 not infrequently reach the inside of houses against which 

 these beneficial birds have built their clay-nests. Such bugs 

 (fig. 161, 162, 163) resemble very closely the genuine bed- 

 bug, yet are quite different when studied in detail ; they are 

 much smaller, darker, and can not exist for any length of 

 time away from their proper home, the nest of the swallow, 



