64 
METHODS OF CONTROL. 
Living as white grubs do, underground, and often at a very con- 
siderable depth below the surface, it is obvious that it is a matter of 
extreme difficulty to reach them with insecticides. Gas lime has been 
suggested for this purpose, and good results have followed the experi- 
mental use of bisulphid of carbon and kerosene emulsion against allied 
species. 
Kerosene emulsion is an effective remed}" where small areas, such as 
beds of strawberries grown for home consumption, are affected. It 
should be diluted about ten times, and poured over the surface of the 
ground about the infested plants. It is well to make the application 
just before rainfall, that it may be washed deep into the soil, so as to 
come into direct contact with the larvae. If rain does not fall within 
a day or two after its application a copious watering should follow. 
It is to be regretted that both the bisulphid of carbon and kerosene 
emulsion remedies are too expensive for use on a large scale, but white 
grubs ma}^ be effectually killed off on lawns and in small fields and 
gardens by the use of the latter. 
Fall ploioing . — Everything considered, the most useful remed}" is 
found in fall plowing. The land should be thoroughly broken, so as 
to leave it loose, and the grubs and their parents, the May and June 
beetles as well, exposed as much as possible tq the elements during 
the winter. This is particularly valuable in cold weather, as the white 
grubs are not able to withstand exposure to a severe frost. A cross 
plowing is sometimes advisable where there is severe infestation. 
This will insure the ground being often disturbed, and if it is kept 
clean of weeds and other vegetation the grubs will l)e held in nearly 
complete control though not exterminated. Summer fallowing of 
infested land is said to be useful. 
Rotation of croj)s is also valuable in connection with fall plowing. 
In case infested meadow land is desired for the planting of beets, corn, 
strawberries, or other crop subject to severe inj^iries by white grubs, 
an application of fertilizer, such as nitrate of soda or kainit, put on as 
a heavy top dressing after the ground is prepared and before planting, 
has proved of benefit in some cases. 
Domestic aoiimals. — Chickens and turkej^s, as well as several species 
of insectivorous birds, are efficient destroyers of white grubs, and 
much good may be accomplished b}^ encouraging domestic fowls to 
follow in the furrows to pick up the grubs as the}^ are turned up by 
the plow. Hogs, as is well known, are also exceedingly fond of white 
grubs, and if allowed the run of localities where these are abundant, 
after the crop is made, they will root up the ground and devour great 
numbers of them. These and man}^ wild animals also kill and devour 
the beetles when they have opportunity. 
