Circular 21 - Insecticides and Subsidiary Materials 23 
control of the stable fly. When coal-tar creo- 
sote oil is used for termite control as a soil 
poisonx about the foundations of buildings, 
American Wood Preservers Association or Federal 
Specifications grade should be obtained. An 
effective soil poison is prepared by mixing 
1 part of creosote oil with 3 parts of light 
fuel pil. 
Chemically, coal-tar creosote oil is a 
mixture of phenols from coal tar. It is avail- 
able commercially tis a dark-colored, oily liquid 
possessing a strong, tar-like odor. It is used 
extensively as a wood preservative, as a disin- 
fectant, and in various other ways industrially. 
Caution ; Great care should be used when 
handling creosote oil, since the liquid and 
also the fumes from it are irritating to the 
skin when allowed to remain in contact with it 
for any length of time. Coating the hands and 
face with petrolatum or cup grease helps to 
prevent creosote burns. 
Coal-tar creosote similar to that de- 
scribed in federal Specification TT-W-556 is 
recommended. Dealers in coal-tar creosote are 
usually familiar with these specifications. 
If not, a copy of them may be obtained from 
the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, 
D. C. , price 5 cents. 
Creosote oil may be purchased in tanks 
at a cost of 13^ to 1^5 cents per gallon. 
For manufacturers and distributors see 
numbers 17, 27, 28, 47, 57, 65, 76, and 115 
of list at end of this circular. 
