84 GRASSHOPPERS AND OTHER INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1911 AND 1912. 



crease until she is destroyed. Therefore, it is of the greatest im- 

 portance to seek for the nest, out of doors in the case of most of the 

 species entering dwellings, but usually indoors in the case of the 

 very small ant, almost microscopic in size, known as Monomorium 

 pharaonis which, if it once gets a foot-hold in a house, is very hard 

 to eradicate. In case of infestation by this species, find the nesting 

 place, which, by the way, may be in a warm spot in the cellar, per- 

 haps between the stones of the foundation walls, perhaps back of 

 baseboards or other protective matter. When absolutelij sure that 

 the nest is found, try first squirting with oil can or syringe such 

 liquids as kerosene, or bisulphide of carbon (gas explosive in pres- 

 ence of artifical light of any kind other than electric bulb) in an ef- 

 fort to wet the queen with kerosene, or kill her with the fumes of 

 the second named compound. Bisulphide of carbon, by the way, has 

 a most disagreeable odor, is very volatile, and the gas, if long in- 

 haled, may cause sickness or result even more seriously if an indi- 

 vidual is exposed to the fumes for any length of time. Gasoline 

 might be used in place of kerosene, bearing in mind its dangerous 

 nature. In case of failure with the above agents one must resort to 

 either freezing (if conditions favor this process) or fumigation 

 with hydrocyanic acid gas. Our experience in ridding a private 

 house in Minneapolis of this pest, where it had been established and 

 a great nuisance for eight years, may be helpful. 



We first traced the ants to their nest in the walls of the furnace 

 cellar, and tried injecting kerosene, gasoline, bisulphide of carbon 

 into the crevices between the stones where the ants entered. This 

 did not meet with perfect success, so in the middle of winter, with 

 the family out of the house, we fumigated with the deadly gas 

 known as hydrocyanic acid gas, and afterwards by opening all the 

 windows, secured a temperature in the house something like 4 

 degrees below zero for three or four days, and the ants have not 

 appeared since, although four years have gone by since the treat- 

 ment. This, as will be seen, is heroic treatment, but sometimes the 

 exigencies of the case demand it. 



Sometimes some of the sticky "tanglefoot" mixtures, which can 

 be brought in bulk quite cheaply are useful when applied to the 

 outer side of foundation wall, in keeping out various kinds of pests 

 which, normally outside, sometimes overrun a house. A three inch 

 band of sticky tanglefoot of the right consistency applied with a 

 brush would form an effectual barrier. As long as this is kept 

 sticky no ant or other insect can cross it. 



