Mosquito Remedies and Enemies 121 



filled, or screened should be oiled at least once in 

 three weeks. 



Dr. Smith suggests keeping a half tub with about 

 six inches of water in the bottom for the purpose of 

 attracting stray insects to deposit eggs therein, and 

 emptying it every day or so. This, during early 

 spring, catches the species which hibernate in or 

 around the house. It is an excellent way in which to 

 control the breeding about a house, but needs care- 

 ful attention. Cellars should be fumigated, especially 

 to kill hibernating specimens in the fall. Cisterns or 

 rain barrels should be screened or, if this is not pos- 

 sible, oiled. Oil also keeps the dust out. The tap 

 should be near the bottom of the receptacle. If oiling 

 is distasteful, however, a few " killies " may be in- 

 troduced to devour the larvae. All cesspool covers 

 should be tight and their ventilators screened. 

 Manure pits should be covered or oiled with 

 fuel oil — not with a germicide. Water in chicken 

 coops, etc., should be changed regularly; fire-buckets, 

 gutters, etc., should be systematically inspected at in- 

 tervals of from three to five days. Plumbing and pipes 

 should be kept in order. Near-by vacant lots should 

 be visited, and cans and other collectors of water 

 emptied and smashed or buried. The neighbours 

 ought to be induced to feel responsible for such 

 places. Greenhouse tanks are a prolific source of 

 mosquitoes; sticklebacks or oil will remedy this. 

 Anoplieles is apt to breed in the overflow of clear 

 springs; this should be watched for and the overflow 

 led in a clear drain. Post-holes, cow-tracks, and other 

 small holes should be filled in with earth and ashes. 



