28 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 474 



SILVERFISH (Lepisma saccharina) 



This fragile fleet-footed household insect commonly occurs 

 in Montana. Inquiries have been received from Flathead, Yellow- 

 stone, Gallatin, Dawson, and Lake counties during the biennium. 

 Proper applications of 5% chlordane sprays provide successful 

 control. 



DERMESTIDS (Dermestidae Family) 



Dermestids constitute another group of household insects 

 which occur commonly throughout the state. It should be noted 

 that dermestids as well as several other commonly occurring house- 

 hold insects can become well established in inner wall insulation 

 v/hich is of plant origin, making it difficult, if not impossible, to 

 eliminate the infestation. A case such as this occurred in a build- 

 ing in Lake County where wheat chaff insulation was used be- 

 tween the walls and in the ceiling. Dermestids became established 

 in this insulation and provide a continuous source of reinfestation 

 into the main part of the building. In most cases, dermestids are 

 readily controlled with a spray application of 5^^ DDT or chlordane. 



TERMITES (Isoptera Order) 



Termites occassionally become established in buildings in 

 Montana. Infestations were reported in Yellowstone and Rich- 

 land counties in 1949. No infestations were reported in 1950. A 

 new method of DDT soil treatment rids and protects buildings 

 from termite infestations. 



CEREAL INSECTS (Coleoptera Order) 



Stored grain insects and household cereal insects occur comi- 

 monly throughout Montana. The stored grain problem is usually 

 minor because of the normal low moisture content of Montana 

 stored grains. Stored grain insect infestations may be more of 

 a problem in the fall and winter of 1950, inasmuch as large quant- 

 ities of grain have gone into farm storage in relatively poor condi- 

 tion. 



Infestations of household cereal insects in breakfast food, 

 flour, and other cereals frequently occur, with the confused flour 

 beetle (Triholium confusum) being the most prevalent. These 

 infestations are readily eliminated by destroying the infested 

 cereals, cleaning up the storage areas, and spraying the storage 

 areas with either 5% DDT or chlordane. 



SPIDERS (Araneida Order) 



Several species of spiders commonly infest houses and build- 

 ings in Montana. Most of these are readily controlled with a spray 

 application of 5% chlordane. 



ANTS (Formicidae Family) 

 Household infestations of ants which are common throughout 



