CHAPTER XII 

 Direct Control by Mechanical Means 



Some of the important measures for the control of injurious insects 

 have been discussed in the preceding chapter. For the most part these 

 may be classed as indirect methods, since they are intended largely 

 to prevent attack or injury, and are a part of general farm practices 

 adopted for various reasons besides those relating to insects. 



On the other hand there are measures that are intended directly to 

 accomplish the destruction of a given pest or to prevent its attack, and 

 are adopted primarily for that purpose. 



First among these are a number of simple methods that naturally 

 suggest themselves in the case of the larger insects or those that con- 

 gregate in hmited areas ; such as hand picking or burning. Measures 

 of this kind require no special apparatus, and often are effective. 

 They may or may not presuppose accurate knowledge of the life history 

 or habits of the insect dealt with ; but often such knowledge is essential 

 if any real benefits are to be secured. 



Examples of this type are as follows : 



Hand Picking 



Hand picking, jarring, or brushing is a common practice in dealing 

 with such insects as the tomato worm, squash bugs, and the like. It 

 is worth knowing that a mass of such insects collected in a box or other 

 receptacle can easily be killed by sprinkling them with kerosene. 



Burning 



Burning is often a prompt and effective remedy, especially with cater- 

 pillars that tend to congregate in masses. A familiar example is seen 



in the common tent caterpillar. 



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