57 



be replenished nearly so often as with the paste. The paste seemed 

 to attract them only in a certain stage of its fermentation— after 

 that stage was passed they did not appear to care anything for it. 

 The vinegar, however, attracted them until it had evaporated; but 

 the acid contained in the mixture soon ate the pans up, and I 

 had to abandon its use." 



Molasses ' amd Vinegar.— V^e have found that a mixture of 

 molasses and vinegar— three parts of the former to one of the 

 latter — can be used to good advantage for the destruction of the 

 moths. The materials should be well stirred and placed about 

 the mill in shallow pans or dishes in the evening just before 

 closing. This substance lasts longer than either the flour 

 paste or the vinegar and water, and does not require as much at- 

 tention. The moths are attracted to it and are caught in the 

 sticky substance. 



Fly-paper. — This paper, known also as "taugle-foot," is rather 

 expensive for use in mills, but we have used it with very good 

 results, catching from fifty to a hundred moths on a single sheet 

 in one night. Care should be taken to place the paper in such 

 places as are likely to be visited by the moths for the deposition 

 of their eggs; for example, on piles of flour in bags. 



Coal-tar. — This substance has been used to good advantage by 

 smearing it over large pieces of heavy paper and placing them 

 about the mill. The tar dries out rapidly, and must be renewed 

 at least every twenty- four hours. Coal-tar has also been used, 

 with surprisingly good results, for painting rough walls and other 

 places about a mill, thus stopping up cracks where insects 

 would find lodgement and escape unnoticed. 



Coal-tar and Vaseline. — We have tried an equal mixture of 

 these two substances with no better results than with coal-tar 

 alone, except that paper smeared with this mixture, not drying 

 out so rapidly, does not need to be renewed so often. 



Hand picking. — Many millers whose premises have been over- 

 run with the flour moth, have kept it in check somewhat by 

 "hand-picking." For this purpose extra help was employed, which 

 added materially to the operating expenses of the plant. One firm 

 in California kept several boys and one man at work several 

 months killing moths in this manner. This method was, however, 

 finally abandoned, and the mill was fitted up with steam pipes; 

 and now one man does the entire work of sweeping, cleaning, and 

 inspecting all incoming material, of whatever kind, and the moth 

 is kept in such subjection that it gives them little or no in- 

 convenience. 



Hay Ropes. — I have already referred to the outbreak in Ger- 

 many in 1858 on page 22. The miller who told me of this 

 instance said the moth was most abundant during the month of 

 June. This, he says, was the haying season, and long ropes of 

 newly mown hay were made and placed about the mill in coils. 

 He says the moths collected in great numbers in these coils,, 

 which were gathered up and burned each week. 



