GRASSHOPPERS AND OTHER INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1911 AND 1912. 85 



Ants in Lawn or Garden. — The large mounds out of doors, each 

 of which is occupied by hundreds of ants, can be easily treated with 

 bisulphide of carbon. Make eight or ten holes with a cane or 

 croquet stake, about eight inches deep, in each mound. Into each 

 hole pour a good tablespoonful of bisulphide of carbon, closing each 

 hole with earth, and then throw a couple of wet burlap sacks over 

 the hill, leaving them over night. One might have to do this twice 

 possibly; or, in other words, until the queen or queens are killed. 

 Where no mounds are present and there are only a few small hills, 

 say three or four or five or six holes, a different method is advisable. 

 We find that by pouring gasoline into the holes of such small colon- 

 ies we can stop their work, using from half a teacupful to one tea- 

 cupful when from three to six holes are involved. We frequently 

 have to make applications at intervals of a few days, and sometimes 

 even three are necessary. Do not be afraid to use plenty of gaso- 

 line, in order to reach the queen or queens which lay the eggs. This 

 liquid, however, will kill grass or plants where it comes in direct 

 contact with them. 



The small and very common red ant which makes tiny hills on 

 our walks, lawns and in flower beds is sometimes a nuisance. It 

 can be destroyed by pouring a little gasoline into each hole; this, 

 however, is a big job where they are numerous and is hardly worth 

 while unless they are extremely troublesome. When ants are gird- 

 ling a snowball or other shrubbery, we first have recourse to strong 

 tobacco water to see whether we can drive them away. If they still 

 persist in eating the bark, we advise uncovering the crown and 

 larger roots, mixing up arsenate of lead with a little water, and ap- 

 plying it as thick whitewash to these parts. Arsenate of lead is a 

 poison, which, however, applied in that way, would not injure the 

 bush. Wood ashes placed around base of bush will sometimes 

 drive them away. 



