14 



FARMERS' BULLETIN 928. 



The cost of the traps, based on the price paid for 400 of them used 

 in experimental work in 1914, would be about 31 cents each. The 

 traps in question, made of C-grade sap pine, all parts cut to fit by the 

 milling company furnishing the lumber, were supplied knocked down 

 at 23 cents each, to which there was an additional charge of 8 cents 

 each for transportation and setting up. The cost of the fumigating 

 covers, based on the purchase of 48 of them in 1914, would be about 

 75 cents each, delivered. 



PREPARING THE ORCHARD AND SETTING THE TRAPS. 



The favorite rainy-weather nesting places of the ant are under 

 loose boards, boxes, logs, sacks, and other loose pieces of cloth, and 



FIG. 3. Trap (A) and gas-tight cover (B) used in destroying the Argentine ant in 



Louisiana orange groves. 



in piles of lumber or bricks, dead weeds, etc. The ants also nest in 

 the walls of buildings when opportunity offers. They seek the 

 higher, better drained ground in wet weather, and usually the larger 

 colonies will be found on ditch banks and the high ground at the base 

 of the trees. 



In order to induce more rapid concentration of the ant colonies in 

 the traps, the orchard as far as possible should be kept free from 

 suitable natural nesting places. It should be cleared of loose boards 

 and all similar materials under which the ants might collect. Piles 

 of dry weeds, cowpeas, and prunings from the orange trees should 

 not be allowed to collect in the grove, and stacks of lumber should 



