60 CONTROL BY MECHANICAL MEANS 



A simple torch is conveniently made by iy'mg a ball of raj^s tightly on 

 the end of a pole, and soaking with kerosene, taking care not to use so 

 much of the liquid that it runs down the pole. 



Destroying Egg Masses 



Destruction of egg masses is a valuable means of control where the 

 egg clusters may be found readily. Egg masses may be crushed, or 

 they may be painted with some penetrating oil, such as creosote. 



Banding 



In the control of some caterpillars, banding the trees is simple and 

 effective; but it is absolutely worthless against others. Its value 

 depends on the characteristics of the insect to be dealt with. Thus, in 

 the case of the cankerworm infesting apple trees, the adult female 

 happens to be wingless, and must crawl up the trunk to lay her eggs. 

 A sticky band will stop her from going up to the branches, and if the 

 band is maintained until the young worms have hatched and they in 

 turn are thus prevented from ascending the tree, no damage can be 

 done to the foliage. But this band would be useless as a means of 

 preventing a winged moth, such as the parent of the tent caterpillar, 

 from gaining access to the tree. Bands are of value also where it is 

 desired to prevent caterpillars that have hatched on adjacent land 

 from migrating to trees that had been protected or cared for. 



An effective substance for banding is the material known as tree 

 tanglefoot. It cannot be made at home, but must be bought ready 

 prepared. Printer's ink is dangerous if applied directly to trees with 

 tender bark. It may be smeared on a sheet of paper tied around the 

 tree. 



Covering with Cloth or Screen 



Usually this plan is made use of to prevent injury to young plants, 

 until they have grown large enough to withstand attack. Young 

 melon or squash plants are thus protected from injury by the striped 

 cucumber beetle. 



Where cloth is used, it should be of thin texture. Common cheese- 



