214 NATURE-STUDY 



The most successful way to exterminate the mosquito is to 

 pour a little kerosene oil upon the water of their breeding 

 places. This forms a thin film over the water and kills eggs, 

 larvae, and adults that come in touch with it. This method 

 of extermination has shown good results. 



Fish, tadpoles, and aquatic insects destroy many wrigglers, 

 and the adults are eaten by other insects, especially dragon- 

 flies, by birds and bats. 



The Flea is another very troublesome insect, found in the 

 homes of prince and pauper. The bite of this little tormentor 

 is more painful, and in many people leaves more lasting and 

 irritating inflammation than that of the mosquito. There 

 are many different kinds of fleas, but the most common in this 

 country are the dog-flea and the cat-flea. The human-flea, 

 so common in Europe and the Orient, is as yet not numerous 

 here except locally. 



Fleas are related to flies. They have lost their wings 

 from disuse, however, and they have no compound eyes, only 

 two simple ones. They have a sharp beak with which they 

 suck the blood of animals. They are very hard to catch, 

 as they are very nimble and excellent jumpers. They 

 lay their eggs in dust in the cracks of the floor. Cleanliness 

 in housekeeping is the best remedy against them. Dogs and 

 cats with fleas should not be allowed in the house. 



Similar parasites are Lice and Bed-bugs, belonging to the 

 Bugs. They have lost their wings on account of their par- 

 asitic, lazy habits. These creatures are often distributed in 

 schools, in the cars, at moving times, and on the street. They 

 are very irritating pests that thrive in dirt and filth. Per- 

 sonal cleanliness and a liberal use of soap, broom, scrub- 

 brush, scalding, and treatment by gasoline of the rooms and 



