comes into contact with their air tubes and causes their 

 death. It may be mentioned that only the female mos- 

 quitoes are capable of piercing the skin and sucking the 

 blood of animals. The mouth parts of the male are adapted 

 for sucking the juices of flowers. 



The attacks of the adult mosquito can be prevented by 

 the use of mosquito nets over the beds, or by screening doors 

 and windows of dwellings. The use of citronella oil, 

 lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and other strongly scented 

 substances will often be found efficient in keeping away 

 these troublesome insects. 



It is sometimes desirable to rid a house of mosquitoes 

 and this can be done by fumigation. The fumes of sulphur 

 or pyrethrum, or of a mixture of carbolic acid and camphor, 

 will accomplish this object. In order that fumigation maybe 

 effective, however, it is necessary to be able to close doors 

 and windows, so as to produce practically air-tight rooms or 

 an air-tight house. Strips of paper pasted over cracks and 

 crevices are very efficient in preventing the escape of gases 

 during fumigation. 



FLEAS. (Pulex spp.). Diptera. 



The house-llea (Pulex irritants) sometimes occurs in 

 sufficient numbers to cause it to be considered as a pest. 



Fig. 139. House flea. 



(a} larva; (b) pupa ; (c) adult flea. All enlarged. 

 (From U. S. Deft. Agric.) 



