THE TOBACCO BEETLE. 53 



ported that when this solution was used in casing stripped tobacco 

 there was in some cases a noticeable decrease in the number of in- 

 fested cigars. It was suggested that the quicker and higher fer- 

 mentation destroys some of the eggs or other stages of the beetle 

 and that the solution may have a toxic effect when applied externally. 

 No exact data have been secured as to the efficiency of the remedy. 



USE OF COLD WATER IN CASING CIGAR TOBACCO. 



Several cigar manufacturers have reported some success in pre- 

 venting infestation of finished cigars by casing the leaf in cold 

 water and thoroughly shaking out the tobacco before it is used. 



BORIC ACID. 



Boric acid has been used as a remedy for the tobacco beetle, but to 

 what extent and with what success is not known. In a letter re- 

 ceived by the Bureau of Entomology in 1909 from an importer of 

 leaf tobacco in Boston, Mass., reference is made to the use of this 

 remedy in Cuba, it being stated that a 5 per cent solution of boric 

 acid [B(OH 3 )] used in the water in which tobacco is cased before 

 packing will prevent the tobacco from becoming wormy. The effect 

 of boric acid on the quality of the tobacco has not been determined, 

 but it is probable that no serious injury would occur if used in as 

 dilute a solution as described. Both boric acid and borax are known 

 to have some insecticidal value, and the treatment of manure piles 

 with borax has proved effective against the larva? of the house fly. 1 



While preliminary tests made with boric acid indicate that it has 

 a toxic effect on larvae of the tobacco beetle, there has been no oppor- 

 tunity to make tests of the substance on cigar tobacco in the manner 

 mentioned above, nor to determine whether or not the remedy has 

 any practical value in preventing or controlling infestation. 



PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 



In cigar stores and comparatively small establishments it is not a 

 difficult matter to eradicate the tobacco beetle. By means of different 

 remedies, infested stock may be treated and the building thoroughly 

 cleaned. The humidors, or storage closets, should be perfectly tight 

 and infested stocks promptly destroyed or treated as soon as signs 

 of infestation are noticed. 



In large factories and tobacco warehouses, however, complete 

 eradication in many instances is extremely difficult, or perhaps im- 

 possible. The factories are in some cases old wooden buildings, 

 roughly built, and containing innumerable cracks and crevices in 



iU. S. Dept. Agr. Buls. 118, 245, and 408. 



