122 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



IV. 



Gasoline is also used very successfully, but should be used 

 with caution where there are stoves and lights, for when used in 

 large quantities it may cause an explosion or fire. 



Book Lice. 

 (Atropos sp. and Clothilla sp.) 

 This insect is always found among old books, papers, starchy 

 materials, and have been known to infest old. mattresses. They 

 h«ve a peculiar ticking noise, which they make. They are so 

 small in size, one can hardly see them, and does not really belong 

 to the true lice in size and their foods are mainly starchy foods, 

 while the true lice are sucking insects. The antennae is very long 

 on these pests. 



I. 

 The use of naphthalene in boxes and trunks will aid greatly 

 in keeping these pests away. 



II. 

 Infested mattresses stuxTed with straw or corn husks should 

 be ripped up and the contents burned. If the mattress is made 

 of hair, if would pay to have it steam cleaned, thus all insects 

 would be killed. 



III. 

 All cracks and crevices, which are not easily reached by 

 ordinary cleaning, should have a generous application of gasoline. 



The Bedbug. 

 {Ciniex lecturins) 

 The bedbug is an ancient and cosmopolitan insect. The 

 presence of the bedbug in a house is not necessarily an indication 

 of neglect and carelessness on the part of the housewife. This 

 insect may gain access in spite of the best care and the adoption 

 of all reasonable precaution. They can be carried from place to 

 place in trunks and suit cases by travelers. This insect may migrate 

 from one house to another. They bite during the sleep of their 

 .victim and under cover of darkness, hiding during daylight in 

 cracks of old fashioned wooden bedsteads, 'under loose places in the 

 wall paper, in crevices behind picture moulding, in picture frames, 

 about door or window casings, or base boards. Every housewife 

 is alarmed when she discovers the pest in her home and is always 



