Culicid, or Mosquitoes 103 



At night the surest protection is a good bed net. There are many 

 types of these in use, but in order to be serviceable and at the same 

 time comfortable it should be roomy and hung in such a way as to 

 be stretched tightly in every direction. We prefer one suspended 

 from a broad, square frame, supported by a right-angled standard 

 which is fastened to the head of the bed. It must be absolutely free 

 from rents or holes and tucked in securely under the mattress or it 

 will serve merely as a convenient cage to retain mosquitoes which gain 

 an entrance. While such nets are a convenience in any mosquito 

 riden community, they are essential in regions where disease-carrying 

 species abound. Screening of doors, windows and porches, against 

 the pests is so commonly practiced in this country that its importance 

 and convenience need hardly be urged. 



Destruction of mosquitoes and prevention of breeding are of 

 fundamental importance. Such measures demand first, as we have 

 seen, the correct determination of the species which is to be dealt 

 with, and a knowledge of its life-history and habits. If it prove to be 

 one of the migratory forms, it is beyond mere local effort and becomes 

 a problem demanding careful organization and state control. An 

 excellent illustration of the importance and effectiveness of work 

 along these lines is afforded by that in New Jersey, begun by the late 

 Dr. John B. Smith and being pushed with vigor by his successor, 

 Dr. Headlee. 



In any case, there is necessity for community action. Even near 

 the coast, where the migratory species are dominant, there are the 

 local species which demand attention and which cannot be reached 

 by any measures directed against the species of the salt marshes. The 

 most important of local measures consist in the destruction of breed- 

 ing places by filling or draining ponds and pools, clearing up of more 

 temporary breeding places, such as cans, pails, water barrels and the 

 like. Under conditions where complete drainage of swamps is im- 

 practicable or undesirable, judicious dredging may result in a pool or 

 series of steep-sided pools deep enough to maintain a supply of fish, 

 which will keep down the mosquito larvag. Where water receptacles 

 are needed for storage of rain water, they should be protected by 

 careful screening or a film of kerosene over the top of the water, 

 renewed every two weeks or so, so as to prevent mosquitoes from 

 depositing their eggs. When kerosene is used, water drawn from the 

 bottom of the receptacle will not be contaminated by it to any in- 

 jurious extent. Where ponds cannot be drained much good will be 



