228 INSECTS 



How to get rid of roaches is a question frequently 

 asked, and judging by the number of infallible roach 

 powders and foods on the market is one frequently and 

 satisfactorily answered. Most of the dry powders 

 depend on a mixture of sugar or chocolate with borax, 

 the latter being the killing agent, ihe sugar or chocolate 

 merely to attract. Mix equal parts of sweet chocolate 

 and borax in a mortar, so as to mingle thoroughly, and 

 spread where roaches abound, removing, so far as 

 possible, all other food particles. 



Roach pastes usually contain phosphorus or arsenic 

 and are applied on pieces of soft bread which is a favor- 

 ite food. An ingenious Australian scheme is to mix 

 one part of plaster-of-paris with three or four parts of 

 flour and set it on a small saucer easily accessible to the 

 insects. Feeding on this makes the roaches very thirsty 

 and they seek water; dishes of this should also be 

 placed near by and when this is added to the flour and 

 plaster, the latter sets and clogs the intestines. This is 

 a very simple, safe and inexpensive method, and once 

 the flour and plaster are set out, needs only attention 

 to keeping up the supply of water. In any case when a 

 house is once badly infested by roaches and it is desired 

 to clean them out, it means a campaign. No one appli- 

 cation will ever be successful, but persistence will be 

 victorious in every instance. 



There are many interesting peculiarities about 

 roaches, but none greater than their egg-laying habits. 

 The entire egg supply of the female develops simul- 

 taneously in a sac or case attached at the end of the 

 body, technically known as an ootheca. As the eggs 

 develop this case enlarges, until all have attained full 

 size and the eggs are almost ready to hatch. Then the 

 female drops it in some sheltered corner, the seam along 

 one side splits, and all the young roaches come out at 



