396 ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY 



but they may possibly subsist for a time on moisture in wood 

 or dust. 



The bite is very irritating to most people, but no poison is 

 secreted. The recurrent fever of Europe isprobably transmitted 

 by bedbugs, and it is quite possible that other diseases also 

 may be carried by this unclean pest. Recent experiments have 

 indicated that it may prove to be one of the agents in the 

 spread of the bacillus that causes leprosy. 



FIG. 183. Bedbug, Acanthia lectularia. (About six times natural size.) 



The simplest way to get rid of bedbugs is to clean all the 

 furniture and woodwork thoroughly. Carpets and rugs should 

 be removed, and every crack and crevice in furniture, picture 

 frames, walls and floors should be given a liberal treatment 

 with gasoline. Corrosive sublimate (bichloride of mercury) 

 in water or alcohol may be used for the same purpose, but it is 

 more expensive than gasoline and more apt to injure some 

 articles. As the water or alcohol evaporates a thin coating of 

 the powder is left that gives a large measure of protection as 

 long as it lasts. Fumigation with hydrocyanic gas is more satis- 

 factory, but this gas should be used only by some experienced 



