620 



DESTROYING TERMITES OR WHITE- ANTS 



mound may be levelled. If opened immediately after the appli- 

 cation some of the insects will revive. In some few cases there 

 may be feeble signs of renewed activity, in which case a second 

 application will complete the work of destruction ; but this is 

 seldom necessary. 



Exploding Termites' nests. The Government Entomologist 

 in New South Wales recommends as follows : " Pour a little 

 bisulphide of carbon down each hole, and throw a wet bag over 

 the nest immediately afterwards. Remove it in a couple of 

 minutes, and apply a lighted stick over each opening. The fumes 



THE " UNIVERSAL ANT EXTERMINATOR." See page 619. 



will explode, wreck the nest, and burn all the ants beneath. The 

 lighted stick should be 5 or 6 feet long to enable the operator to 

 stand out ot danger." 



Poisonous baits for ants. Destroying termites and other ants 

 by laying down poisonous baits has often been recommended. A 

 mixture of arsenic, sugar, flour, tallow, etc., made into a paste and 

 strewn about in small pellets where the ants are troublesome is 

 found to have a good effect in destroying these. Where it is 

 dangerous to use arsenic, a syrup of borax may answer the purpose 

 to some extent. A stiff dough made of " Paris Green," (1 oz.), 

 flour (3 lb.), and sugar (3 oz.), being formed into pellets and placed 

 in holes near the plants attacked, has been found effective. 



