372 HOME LIFE IN FLORIDA. 



borax and sugar mixed together, standing about on the 

 shelves and in the dark places ; the lids of the round wood- 

 en match-boxes are very handy for this purpose. Roaches 

 will not eat borax alone, bat when sugar is mixed with it 

 they certainly do, notwithstanding some statements we 

 have seen to the contrary. We have seen them eating it, 

 have seen them sauntering slowly along afterward in a 

 weary, don't-care sort of manner, very different from their 

 usual lively gait, and a little later have seen them calmly 

 reposing on their shiny backs, their once active legs folded 

 over their bosoms in a pathetic way, that ought to have 

 made us sad, but we are fiun to confess had rather the op- 

 posite effect. 



So we know that the combination of borax and sugar is 

 a powerful weapon, and as it is not injurious to children 

 or pet animals, and is neat and cleanly to stand around on 

 the shelves and in the closets, we would advise its being 

 kept there all the time, in preference to any other of the 

 numerous mixtures recommended for the same purpose, 

 although we know two of them, "Sure-pop" and "Rough 

 on Rats," to be good ; but these, the latter especially, must 

 be carefully handled, as they are poisons. 



Persian insect-powder, occasionally blown from the little 

 insect-powder guns that are sold by every druggist, cost- 

 ing about fifteen cents, is also very effective, puffed about 

 in closets, bureau-drawers, and book-cases. 



Well, we have dwelt long enough among the roaches ; 

 let us pass on to the other " insect pests," that Florida's 

 foes love to elevate into veritable bug-bears. 

 ^J "Fleas?" Yes, of course there are some fleas. Did 

 you ever see a country home where there were not at some 

 seasons more or less fleas ? We never have, at least ; nay 

 more, we have seen more fleas in New Jersey than we have 

 ever seen in Florida. 



