103 

 WHITE ANTS. 



\\V are so frequently asked for a remedy for these pests, 

 which cause considerable destruction to young and even old 

 orchards and gardens, especially in the Transvaal and Rhodesia, 

 that we are sure the following notes, which are the recommenda- 

 tions of the late Mr. C. B. Simpson, the Transvaal Entomologist, 

 who had given considerable attention to the subject, will be ap- 

 preciated by growers : 



To build a house or plant trees on a plot of ground which 

 is infested with white ants can only be disastrous if the insects 

 are not destroyed. 



It has been definitely proven that the old remedy of obtaining 

 the services of an expert ant digger to remove the queens is use- 

 less, as ants usually have several queens in reserve, and, should 

 necessity arise, other individuals may take up this function of 

 egg laying. 



Methods known to be valuable and Effective. 



Among the successful methods is the burning of sulphur, and 

 forcing the sulphur fume into the galleries of the nest. This may 

 be accomplished in several ways, but I find one of the best is to 

 mix a solution of one part of sulphur to three parts of potassium 

 nitrate, and place it in a tube of paper. This mixture should 

 be slightly moistened, ranlmed tightly into a tube of paper, and 

 allowed to dry for some time. A hole is made into the galleries, 

 one cartridge is lighted, and then placed in it and allowed to burn. 

 The potassium nitrate furnishes enough oxygen for the combus- 

 tion to take place inside of the gallery. In many instances I have 

 found it to be a very effective method, but it may be necessary 

 to repeat it, in order to totally exterminate the insects in a heap. 



Pouring of two or three ounces of carbon-bisulphide into the 

 nest, and covering the hole quickly, is a method which is growing 

 in favour. Carbon-bisulphide is a colourless volatile liquid, the 

 vapour of which is two and a half times heavier than air, and 

 is explosive. Great care must be taken that no lighted match, 

 pipe, or cigarette is near, as these are quite sufficient to ignite 

 the gas, and cause a disastrous explosion. 



A machine called the Universal Ant Destroyer has been re- 

 cently placed upon the market in Pretoria. I have carefully 

 tested this machine, and am quite familiar with the results which 

 can be obtained by it. The machine is a charcoal brazier, and 

 a mixture of arsenic containing twelve per cent, sulphur is placed 

 upon the glowing charcoal, and by means of an air pump the 

 vapour of these two chemicals is forced into the galleries of the 

 heaps. The vapour is not only poisonous, but is deposited on 



