100 ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY 



" Promptly examine the foundation timbers and other woodwork in the 

 basement to determine the approximate point of entrance and the extent of 

 damage already accomplished. After removing the damaged wood, drench 

 the ground with kerosene oil. 



"Break up the earthlike shelter tubes by means of which white ants are 

 sometimes able to pass over the surface of impenetrable substances in order 

 to reach woodwork, and drench the ground beneath with kerosene oil. 



"Then replace damaged timber with rock, brick, or concrete; or, if this 

 be impracticable, substitute, for the foundation, timbers treated with coal- 

 tar creosote. 



"Since termites always require access to damp earth, shut off this source 

 of moisture, and the insects will not be able to extend the galleries farther and 

 will perish." 



Clothes Moths. It is probable that these small moths have been 

 a pest ever since man began clothing himself in skins and they are 

 particularly mentioned in the older books of the Bible. They are 

 supposed to be of Old World origin and to have been introduced into 

 America in early Colonial days. They are common everywhere; in 

 the warmer regions being destructive at all times while further north 

 they begin their depredations with the advent of spring or early summer. 

 The adults, like other lepidoptera, are quite harmless as they take no 

 food in the winged state, the mouth-parts being rudimentary. Though 

 the average housekeeper does not know this, it is perfectly proper to 

 kill the tiny flitting moths since it prevents their laying eggs that will 

 hatch into tiny larvae or caterpillars, which are the destructive agents. 

 The way in which these small caterpillars injure woolen goods, furs, 

 etc., is only too familiar, so that nothing need be said of this. 



The adults lay their eggs usually upon clothes or other fabrics 

 that are not in daily use, especially if these materials are in dark places; 

 and if not disturbed these eggs soon hatch into the larvae that ruin 

 the garments upon which they feed and from which they construct 

 their tiny bag-like cocoons. Fig. 78 is the common species in the 

 north; there are also the southern clothes moth, the common species 

 from Maryland, south; and the tapestry moth, the rarest of the three, 

 a more brightly colored form that feeds especially upon carpets, 

 upholstering, and other heavy fabrics. The most important^ thing to 

 know about all of these species is how to prevent their damage; this^is 

 a very simple matter if we remember that the adults cannot and the 

 larvae will not, eat paper . 



