I 1 8 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



by putting arsenic in the liquid and sprinkling a little on a scraped 

 potato or carrot. 



II. 



Some find putting a little chloride of lime and powdered tobacco 

 in their holes very effective. 



III. 



vSprinkle a little quicklime near to the cracks through which 

 they enter the room. The lime may be laid dow^n at night and 

 swept up early in the morning, as it must be kept entirely away 

 from children. This kills many of the crickets and drives them away 

 from the house. 



The Little Red Ant. 

 (Monoinorium pharaofiis Linn) 

 The origin of this species is unknown but it is supposed to have 

 been imported. This is one of the most despised, troublesome 

 and prolific of household pests. They nest in partitions, under 

 floors, in all cracks and crevices where it is hard to reach them. 

 These insects pass their entire existance in houses. They are about 

 one-twentieth of an inch in length. 



Another ant which is also a nuisance is the black ant. Ants 

 particularly like sugar, syrup and other sweets. Ants are not so 

 destructive to the household supplies, but their faculty of getting 

 into everything makes them very disagreeable to say the least. 



Those that are commonly known are all workers. The females 

 stay in the cTolony and are known by being wingless. These wings 

 are torn off as soon as the ants begin mating. The male usually 

 dies and the female at once goes to her duty of establishing new 

 colonies. Unless the colony can be reached and destroyed all other 

 measures will be of only temporary relief. 



I. 

 If these nests can be reached, a little kerosene or bisulphide 

 of carbon sprayed or injected, is very effective. 



II. 

 Fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas is advisable in old 

 and badly infested houses. Care must be used with this gas. 



III. 

 To keep ants from climbing upon tables, cupboards, etc., 

 place the legs in small dishes or pans of kerosene or water. 



