468 ON THE noUSE-FLY INVESTIGATIONS. 



rooms, food being sei-ved there wliicli provided tlie usual 

 attractions. 



(N.B. — The Army Spray is prepared from Professor Maxwell Lefroy's 

 formula by Heppell & Co., KniR'htsbridge, who supply it at 

 SO*-, per gallon conoeiitratod. The diluted spray for use costs 

 1*-. Qd. per gallon.) 



Trial IV. — Flykiller, 



Flykiller (treacle, arsenic, and water) was tested accoi'ding to 

 recommendations by Berlese, who used it with great success in 

 Italy. Rags saturated with the solution were hung in places 

 out of reach of domestic animals, and the mixture was sprayed 

 on the roof, etc. Two applications were made, and the surround- 

 ing areas were cai'efully examined for dead flies the day after 

 each. None were found, and there was no decrease in the 

 number of flies which entei'ed the house. 



Conclusions. 

 From Trial III. :— 



1. Flybane is effective in killing flies by contact, but it does 

 not act a,s a repellent. There are two objections to its use in 

 kitchens, waixls, and dwelling-rooms. First, the paiatlin oil taints 

 food (although it is absolutely harmless) ; and, secondly', it leaves 

 a mark upon the window-panes, furniture, etc. 



2. Exol is effective in bringing the flies down — that is, it 

 paralyses tliem siifticiently to sweep them up within half an hour, 

 but about 50 7o tin«Hy recover. 



It was found that all recoveries were made within 20 hours. 



3. The Army Spray successfully kills flies by contact. Those 

 which fall never recover, although they may struggle for some 

 hours. It is not a detei'rent. 



Flies returned to the room sprayed with Flybane on the 

 following day and in two days after Exol. They continued to 

 be abundant after the manure ti'eatments were made. 



The fact that flies reappeared after the treatment of all farm- 

 yard manure decided that they weie being bred on neighbouring 

 premises. 



As regards poisoning, Flykiller proved a complete failure under 

 the particular conditions that it was tested, probably due to a 

 difference in climate. 



Fly-papers were A^ery successful, and in comparing figures they 

 give better results than the traps. 



Of traps the common balloon is the one which is recommended. 

 It should be baited with casein and sugar in equal parts (Mapweb 

 Bait), moistened with beer, stout, or banana. To keep rooms 

 free from flies the most practicable procedui'e would be to spray 

 daily with the new Army Spiay (absolutely harmless to food 

 and having a pleasant scent), and to set traps or fly-papers as 

 explained above. 



