120 Second Report on Economic Zoology . 
In answer to this and further correspondence the following report 
was sent : — 
“ There are two species of White Ants found in Southern Europe, 
namely, Calotermes flavicollis and Termes hicifngus . The former 
inhabits the neighbourhood of the Mediterranean Sea. They dwell 
in the branches and stems of decaying and dead trees and obtain 
their nourishment from the wood where the decay is not far 
advanced ; they live inside the stems. No special habitation is 
made by this species. 
“ The species damaging your houses is probably Termes ludfugus. 
This species also burrows into wood of various kinds and is well 
known to attack furniture and habitations. It excavates the wood- 
work it attacks and also makes galleries, beneath which it can move 
from place to place without being exposed. 
“ With regard to destroying them, the first thing to do is to find 
out the nests and galleries. These may be actually within the house 
or may be in old stumps or trees outside. If you can find out their 
abodes then they are easily killed by putting into their galleries 
every here and there arsenic mixed up with syrup ; they feed upon it 
and are soon killed, others come along and eat the dead bodies and 
are thus also killed and so on again and again until the colony is 
destroyed. 
“ Another plan recommended is to pour kerosene or carbolic down 
crevices in woodwork, etc., where they are working, but, I believe, 
this only drives them elsewhere. Riley suggested injecting steam or 
boiling water wherever an opening seems to lead into their burrows 
in timber. Ground woodwork through which they commence their 
attack should be soaked in arsenious soda dissolved in mineral oil. 
Houses where these pests occur should never have wood nearer than 
two feet from the ground and no creepers up them or they are sure 
to be attacked. All dead stumps of trees and decaying timber 
around houses should be burnt, as the attack often originates from 
such sources. 
“ It is impossible to tell where White Ants are at work in wood 
if it is hidden, such as underground work, but one can usually tell 
where wood is exposed both by tapping and listening with the ear 
close against the woodwork. A thin steel would easily penetrate 
attacked wood and a small hole made and arsenic and syrup squirted 
in with a syringe would destroy them. 
“ If the house is not very badly damaged the spoilt woodwork 
could of course be replaced, and, if this is done, I would certainly 
treat it first with arsenious soda. 
