74 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



about three-sixteenths of an inch long. This or its close allies 

 frequently attack timbers in dry cellars. 



The small, red-horned borer ^^ (figure 41) about three-sixteenths 

 of an inch long, dark-brown and with reddish antennae, has been 

 brought to our notice on account of serious injuries to birch and 

 maple floors. Very little appears to be known concerning the life 

 histories of these species, though the probabilities are that breeding 

 is continuous, provided temperatures are not too low. 



F Fig. 40 Powder 

 post beetle, Lyctus, 

 much enlarged. 

 (Author's illustra- 

 tion) 



Fig. 41 Small, red-horned 

 borer, much enlarged. (Au- 

 thor's illustration) 



Control measures. All very badly infested, especially weakened, 

 timbers should be removed. Some relief may be obtained by liberal 

 apphcations, where conditions permit, of kerosene, gasoline or 

 benzine. The pests can be destroyed by heat, steam being the safest 

 and thoroughly effective, though dry heat may be employed. In 

 either case it is essential to continue the operation until the infested 

 wood is well warmed throughout and an attempt should be made 

 to raise the temperature of the interior to 120 or 130° F., the latter 

 being desirable. 



Avoiding the use of infested timber is a self-evident protection 

 and, so far as practical, sapwood should be excluded from impor- 

 tant structural timbers. 



FUMIGATION WITH HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS 



This is one of the most effective methods of destroying insects 

 in houses, particularly if the infestation is general. It should be 

 remembered at the outset that potassium or sodium cyanide, sul- 



ssptilinus ruficornis Say. 



