TKOliLKMS OF SPIDKKS, .M ITKS, AND I'K KS li;.") 



(if leaves. So mimilc ai'c tliuy that a single oiu' is scarci-ly 

 visible to the naked eye, and they are ullen not noticed uniil 

 tlie plant is badly infested. 



They pieree the snrfaee of the leaf and suek its juices, and 

 very soon the plant beoins to appear yellow and sickly. A\'hcii 

 it is practicable the garden hose will exterminate these pests. 

 I'jider other eonditions spraying with fish oils or soap solution 

 is effective. 



Clover mite — Bryohia pratensis. As t he name indicates, these 

 mites are found chietiy n[)on clover, but also on apple and 

 peach trees, cottonwoods and arbor vit;e, and even on boards, 

 st(mes, and fences. During the fall and winter they ai)pear 

 also on [)lum, almond, po[)lar, and elm trees, and frequently 

 leave vegetation entirely and become very troublesome in 

 houses. 



Of species found upon animals, there are some which can- 

 not be considered a real mena<?e to health, yet tlu^y are ex- 

 tremely irritating and troublesome. The most connnon of these 

 are harvest mites and wood ticks, the former being one of 

 the smallest of mites, a mere pin point of red, and the latter 

 one of the largest of ticks, rcHldish brown, a (juarter of an 

 inch in length and sAvellino-, as it feeds, to the size of an olive. 



Harvest mite — Trombidium holosericeum. ^^'llen in the larval 

 stage, these are the ''chiggers" of the Middle States. During 

 early summer harvest mites will be found on grasslands and 

 sandy slopes, or in the woods. They can be seen most easily 

 hi July, when the eggs are being laid, and thai is the time 

 also when they beo-in to attach themselves to any passing 

 animal. The creatures of the woods, especially moles and 

 hares, are sometimes literally infested with them, and dogs, 

 cats, horses, and cows often show signs of intense itching 

 from them. In some localities there are few people who have 

 not felt their presence. Sulphur ointment or friction with a 

 cloth dipped in benzine or strong alcohol will give speedy 



