Circular 21 - Insecticides and Subsidiary Materials 78 
TAET.\RIC ACID 
Tartaric acid is used as one of the 
constituents of some of the poison ant syrups 
that are used to kill the worker ants, also 
the young and queen ants v/ithin their nests. 
It is especially useful against sweets-eating 
ants when it is impossible to locate and 
destroy their nests by direct means. The 
method of feeding these baits to ants is 
discussed in Circular 15. 
Chemically, tartaric acid, C.H^^O^^, is 
a white, odorless powder with a strong acid 
taste, which is soluble in water and alcohol. 
It is used in the dyeing and baking indus- 
tries, also in medicine and chemistry. 
Caution : Althougji tartaric acid in 
small quantities is considered harmless, 
death has resulted from accidental adminis- 
tration of one ounce or more. 
Tartaric acid may be purchased in 250- 
pound barrels, 25-, 50. and 112-pound kegs, 
at a price range of 63? to 64 cents per pound. 
Available on contract: see Class 5I, 
General Schedule of Supplies, Procurement 
Division, Treasury Department. 
TIIALLIUi.I SULFATE 
This compound is used with sugar, honey 
and water in the preparation of a poison bait 
for the control of ants. 
Thallium sulfate, TloSO/, is a white, 
crystalline, extremely poisonous compound. 
