14 FARMERS BULLETIN 862. 



Ants that are on trees at the time of banding iisuall}^ drop off 

 within a day or two unless nests are in the trunk or branches. If 

 nests are present, however, they should be destroyed by applying 

 pyrethrum or some other ant powder, or with a fine spray of gasoline 

 from a plumber's torch, or with cresolated emulsion applied with a 

 3-gallon compressed-air sprayer. This should be done early in the 

 morning, while the ants are least active. 



Inspection should be made weekly for the discovery of reinfested 

 trees, the bands being renewed where necessary and the branches of 

 the trees kept from coming in contact with weeds or the ground. 



GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS. 



In view of the success secured in the foregoing experiments in con- 

 trolling the mealybug by keeping ants off of the trees, the impression 

 might be conveyed that banding alone is all that is necessary to keep 

 orchards commercially free of this destructive pest. Under present 

 conditions this would probably prove true in most cases ; nevertheless, 

 two important factors must be kept in mind when a general scheme 

 of control for the common mealybug in southern California is under 

 consideration: (1) The possible scarcity or absence of effective bene- 

 ficial insects in the infested orchard and (2) heavy parasitism of the 

 beneficial natural enemies themselves in some localities at certain 

 seasons of the year. Control of the mealj^bug under either of these 

 conditions could not be effected quickl}^ except by spraying or other 

 artificial control, unless it should be possible to introduce promptly 

 large colonies of effective natural enemies. 



General recommendations for control are given below, and it is 

 believed that complete success will result if they are follow^ed closely 

 in all details. Frequent examinations to detect ant reinfestation 

 must be made, and colonization of natural enemies, where not present 

 already in noticeable numbers, is essential. The trees should be 

 sprayed Avherever the conditions demand it. 



PROCEDURE RECOMMENDED FOR THE CONTROL OF THE COMMON MEALYBUG. 

 TRKES IN ORCHARDS. 



1. Where there are very few trees. 



a. Prune heavily for spraying, with lowest hriinchcs nt least 1 foot above 



ground, 

 ft. Band trees with sulphur-sticky mixture and keep them free of ants. 



c. Attempt eradication l)y spraying with cresolated emulsion or by fumiga- 



tion under a gas-tight tent. 



d. Inspect weekly. If living insects are present, respray or refumigate 



until they are eradicated. 



