THE ARGENTINE ANT : DISTRIBUTION AND CONTROL. 



21 



paraffin and set aside to dry. The paraffin, forming a waterproof sur- 

 face, materially lengthens the life of the bag, which is protected from 

 the entrance of water through the holes 

 by part of another (2-pound) paraffined 

 bag which covers the first one like a can- 

 opy. In use, each bag is provided with a 

 small quantity of poisoned sirup and a 

 piece of sponge, the protecting outer 

 piece of bag is drawn up over it, and 

 the ends of both are folded over at the 

 top and tacked to a tree. On account 

 of the bag coming together at the top 

 it is very narrow at the point where 

 the entrance holes are made; conse- 

 quently very small pieces of sponge are 

 required. The bags have been known 

 to last for long periods, but the larger 

 percentage of them last only about 2 or 



3 months. They Can not be recharged. FIG. 4. Paraffined paper bags ar- 



Thp fi n pqn ranged as a container for ant 

 poison sirup. The apron has been 



shown in figure cut away to show the ant en- 

 r ,1 trance holes. Such bags are nailed 



O IS the most totpees . ( original.) 



satisfactory 



container. ,Any sized can may be used, but 

 the handiest size is the one-half pound bak- 

 ing-powder can. The can must have a fric- 

 tion cover, and of course it must hold water. 

 If the can is indented deeply on the two op- 

 posite sides (as illustrated in the drawing, 

 fig. 5) and the cover replaced, it will be ob- 

 servable that there is ample space between 

 the top of the can and the cover for the en- 

 trance of the ants, and the can, if kept in an 

 upright position, will be weatherproof. 

 About a gill of the sirup will be sufficient for 

 several months, but in heavy infestations it is 

 better to put 2 gills in each can. Tt is very 

 advisable to place a fairly large piece of 

 sponge in the can. The sponge will float on 

 experiments, the sirup and allow the ants to feed in large 

 numbers. A piece of wire about 6 inches 

 long may be bent for a handle, a hook inward at each end being made. 

 The hooks may be attached under the lid of the can where it projects 

 over the part that has been indented. This forms a handle by which 



in outdoor 

 (Original.) 



