WHITE ANTS (TEKMITES) AND BUILDINGS 303 



the thatch) and having their ends buried in the ground. The object 

 to be aimed at is the enclosure of the building in a system of wire-work 

 — a contrivance in fact of the nature of a bird-cage — well connected 

 to earth. 



White Ants (Termites) and Buildings 



Preparation of Building Sites. — If possible, buildings should be erected 

 on sites which are free from ant nests or channels. If, however, a 

 building must be erected on ant-infested ground, the nests should be 

 eradicated by the use of the well-known " Universal Ant Exterminator," 

 or similar apparatus, consisting of a pump connected with a fire-box and 

 pipe, the end of the last mentioned being inserted into the ant hole. The 

 powder used consists of : — 



White arsenic (finely powdered) 3 parts by weight, flowers of sulphur 



1 part by weight. This is ignited in the fire-box, and the resulting fumes 

 are pumped into the ant-workings by means of the attached pump. 



It is necessary to treat a much wider area than that actually to be 

 built upon, because some species of termites drive their galleries far out from 

 the nests. It is desirable to pump the fumes into a live gallery or opening, 

 i.e. one actually in use by the termites. The pump can be used to great 

 advantage when flying termites are seen escaping from well-defined holes 

 in the ground, these holes being in communication with the whole arterial 

 system of the nest. The fumes should be pumped into them at once ; 

 to mark the spot and come back a few days later for the purpose of 

 injecting fumes is useless, because the termites block up these outlets 

 and cut them off from the nest immediately after they have served their 

 purpose of allowing the winged insects to escape. 



Structural Arrangements to circumvent Attack by Termites. — Only 

 a few rational points need be borne in mind, in order to design and build 

 a house which will be resistant to attack by termites. The precautions 

 taken against termites will also prevent attack by dry rot. 



The footings should be built high enough to provide clearance of 



2 or 3 feet between the ground and the floor joists, and many large 

 ventilators should be provided in the footings so as to permit of the 

 free entrance of light and air to all parts beneath the floors. Concrete 

 floors, such as those of kitchens, bathrooms, or verandahs, and also 

 hearths for fireplaces, should not be constructed upon soil or building 



