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Homeowner's Insect Problems 



Fleas are causing problems to returning vacationers. The fleas develop 

 in debris in beds or resting areas of dogs or cats. The worm stage will live and 

 feed in such places as rugs, upholstered furniture, and dirt in beds of flowers and 

 shrubbery. The worm stage is usually not noticed and is harmless, but adult fleas 

 suck the blood of warm-blooded animals. Newly emerged adults are hungry and move 

 throughout the house or yard in search of a meal. The tiny fleas can easily cover 

 1 or 2 feet in a single jump. For control, treat areas where fleas occur with 

 carbaryl or malathion as a dust or spray. The dog or cat can also be safely treated 

 with the same material. 



Fall webworm caterpillars are defoliating certain shade trees and shrubs. 

 These pale green or yellow worms with a dark stripe down their backs extend a webbing 

 over the branches and strip the leaves inside as they grow. They skeletonize the 

 leaves, which then curl and dry up and eventually die. Small trees and shrubs may be 

 completely webbed over by the time the caterpillars mature. Carbaryl applied as a 

 spray is effective. To mix, use 2 tablespoons of 50 percent wettable powder per 

 gallon of water. 



Sod webworms may be a problem in green lawns in areas where the drought 

 has been severe and most lawns are brown. Unfortunately, the damage may occur when 

 lawns have been kept green by constant watering, as moths tend to concentrate egg 

 laying in these lawns. If irrigation is discontinued (during vacation time), growth 

 will be retarded and webworm damage may be severe. But these lawns may not be no- 

 ticeably damaged if irrigation is continued. 



To control webworms, apply 2 pounds of actual carbaryl or 1 pound of diazi- 

 non per 10,000 square feet. Use this amount in at least 25 gallons of water. 



Caution to Those Using Insecticides 



Before applying insecticides, read the labels carefully and follow all 

 precautions. This will not only insure personal safety, but will also eliminate 

 residue hazards. 



Not for Publication - Special Note to Farm Advisers 



Western corn rootworms were found for the first time this week in Henry 

 and Whiteside counties. Adult westerns were common in cornfields throughout Mercer 

 county. More westerns than northerns were collected in our random survey in 10 fields. 

 There has already been a marked increase in the western rootworm population, and we 

 expect the buildup and spread to continue. There is nothing to do at this time. We 

 will assess the situation and have suggestions in ample time for the '67 growing 

 season. 



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This weekly report was prepared by H. B. Petty, Steve Moore, Roscoe Randell, 

 Don Kuhlman and Clarence E. White, Illinois Natural History Survey and University of 

 Illinois College of Agriculture, in cooperation with the USDA Agricultural Research 

 Service, Plant Pest Control Branch, from information gathered by entomologists and 

 cooperators who send in weekly reports from their own localities. 



Sent by: H. B. Petty 



Extension Specialist 



in Entomology 



