INSECTS INJURIOUS TO MEATS 285 



came under his observation. A gentleman of Milwaukee 

 sent him some thousands of the flour mites which were 

 found in a bin of wheat in an old elevator. They were 

 so numerous that a quart or more could be gathered 

 every morning below the spout from which they had fallen. 

 An examination showed that at least three species of 

 predaceous mites were present among the flour mites, 

 and were rapidly devouring the latter. In fact, one species 

 was so abundant that there was no hesitation in writing 

 the gentleman that the flour mites would soon be destroyed 

 by the predaceous forms. A week or so later the corre- 

 spondent wrote, "As you say, the parasitic mites have 

 largely destroyed the smaller ones, and I suppose when 

 their food is all gone they will die of starvation." 



Methods of control. When once these mites become 

 established in a pantry or storeroom, heroic measures 

 must be taken to exterminate them. The removal of 

 all food-stuffs for a considerable length of time may not 

 avail much when it is recalled that in the hypopus stage 

 the mites can withstand a fast of months and that even 

 the soft, pale, active mites may live for weeks without 

 food. Neither is it any wonder that pantries and store- 

 rooms become infested, considering the ease with which 

 the hypopi are carried about by mice and insects. 



Infested parts of cheese and hams may be cut out and 

 thrown away. It is often difficult, however, to get all 

 of the mites, for they are so small and so easily escape 

 the sight. Of course, where a few are left they soon 

 reinfest the material. In the case of infested hams, all 

 of the loose powdery material that accumulates on the 

 surface of the meat should be brushed and scraped off as 

 thoroughly as possible. To kill the eggs and any remain- 



