17 



CONCLUSIONS. 



It is regrettable that no experiments were tried with the European 

 carpet beetle, commonly, though erroneously, called "buffalo moth" 

 (Anthrenus scrophularice), but for some unexplained reason this insect 

 is not known as a carpet pest in Washington, and any experiments made 

 at that point with introduced specimens would therefore be incon- 

 clusive. It is doubtful, however, that it would be found to differ greatly 

 in resistant qualities from the rather closely allied Attagenus piceus. 

 It should, however, be definitely experimented with, unless it has 

 already been done by Mr. Henshaw. 



The experiments just summarized seem to me to show definitely that 

 it will be perfectly safe to keep materials infested by any of the insects 

 mentioned above during the summer months at a temperature of from 

 40° to 42° F., and that the average cold-storage company, if my infor- 

 mation as to the customary temperatures be correct, has been wasting 

 in the neighborhood of 20° of cold. 



The economic entomologist is always interested to know in cases like 

 this what the actual saving will be in dollars and cents, but in this 

 case it is impossible to say. It is practically impossible to estimate a 

 definite cost for each degree of refrigeration, on account of the differ- 

 ences in machines, in insulation of rooms, in cost of coal at different 

 points, and more particularly on account of the increase of cost in 

 periods of excessive summer heat. It is plain, however, that in every 

 such establishment every degree of temperature below that of the 

 outside air requires a definite expenditure of coal, and, therefore, a 

 saving of 20° of actual temperature is a saving indeed. 



Mr. Fernald expressed himself as much gratified with this presenta- 

 tion of a new and very valuable method of controlling certain of the 

 household pests, and stated that this subject was one in which he had 

 been much interested for a number of years. He felt convinced of the 

 very great importance of the temperature method of control now for 

 the first time brought prominently to the fore. 



Mr. Howard suggested that in view of the increase of the expense of 

 this treatment the lower the temperature be maintained, if previous 

 disinfection be given articles it would doubtless be possible to keep 

 them with safety through the summer at a temperature of 50° F. ne 

 suggested steaming, as a preliminary disinfection, wherever practicable. 



Mr. Fernald was of the opinion that such steaming of goods prior to 

 storing is now practiced in Boston by certain storage companies. 

 5850— No. 6 2 



