60 CONTROL BY MECHANICAL MEANS 
A simple torch is conveniently made by tying a ball of rags tightly on 
the end of a pole, and soaking with kerosene, taking care not to use so 
much of the liquid that it runs down the pole. 
Destroying Egg Masses 
Destruction of egg masses is a valuable means of control where the 
es may be crushed, or 
cgg clusters may be found readily. Egg mas 
they may be painted with some penetrating oil, such as creosote. 
Banding 
In the control of some caterpillars, banding the trees is simple and 
effective; but it is absolutely worthless against others. Its value 
depends on the characteristics of the insect to be dealt with. Thus, in 
the case of the cankerworm infesting apple trees, the adult female 
happens to be wingless, and must crawl up the trunk to lay her eggs. 
A sticky band will stop her from going up to the branches, and if the 
band is maintained until the young worms have hatched and they in 
turn are thus prevented from ascending the tree, no damage can be 
done to the foliage. But this band would be useless as a means of 
preventing a winged moth, such as the parent of the tent caterpillar, 
from gaining access to the tree. Bands are of value also where it is 
desired to prevent caterpillars that have hatched on adjacent land 
from migrating to trees that had been protected or cared for. 
An effective substance for banding is the material known as tree 
tanglefoot. It cannot be made at home, but must be bought ready 
prepared. Printer’s ink is dangerous if applied directly to trees with 
tender bark. It may be smeared on a sheet of paper tied around the 
tree. 
Covering with Cloth or Screen 
Usually this plan is made use of to prevent injury to young plants, 
until they have grown large enough to withstand attack. Young 
melon or squash plants are thus protected from injury by the striped 
cucumber beetle. 
Where cloth is used, it should be of thin texture. Common cheese 
