57 . 
be replenished nearly so often as with the paste. The paste seemed 
to attract them only in a certain stage of its fermentation—after 
that stage was passed they did not appear to care anything for it. 
The vinegar, however, attracted them until it had evaporated; but 
the acid contained in the mixture soon ate the pans up, and I 
had to abandon its use.” 
Molasses amd Vinegar .—We have found that a mixture of 
molasses and vinegar—three parts of the former to one of the 
latter—can be used to good advantage for the destruction of the 
moths. The materials should be well stirred and placed about 
the mill in shallow pans or dishes in the evening just before 
closing. This substance lasts longer than either the flour 
paste or the vinegar and water, and does not require as much at¬ 
tention. The moths are attracted to it and are caught in the 
sticky substance. 
Fly-paper. —This paper, known also as “tangle-foot,” is rather 
expensive for use in mills, but we have used it with very good 
results, catching from fifty to a hundred moths on a single sheet 
in one night. Care should be taken to place the paper in such 
places as are likely to be visited by the moths for the deposition 
of their eggs; for example, on piles of flour in bags. 
Coal-tar .—This substance has been used to good advantage by 
smearing it over large pieces of heavy paper and placing them 
about the mill. The tar dries out rapidly, and must be renewed 
at least every twenty-four hours. Coal-tar has also been used, 
with surprisingly good results, for painting rough walls and other 
places about a mill, thus stopping up cracks where insects 
would find lodgement and escape unnoticed. 
Coal-tar and Vaseline. —We have tried an equal mixture of 
these two substances with no better results than with coal-tar 
alone, except that paper smeared with this mixture, not drying 
out so rapidly, does not need to be renewed so often. 
Hand picking .—Many millers whose premises have been over¬ 
run with the flour moth, have kept it in check somewhat by 
“hand-picking.” For this purpose extra help was employed, which 
added materially to the operating expenses of the plant. One firm 
in California kept several boys and one man at work several 
months killing moths in this manner. This method was, however, 
finally abandoned, and the mill was fitted up with steam pipes; 
and now one man does the entire work of sweeping, cleaning, and 
inspecting all incoming material, of whatever kind, and the moth 
is kept in such subjection that it gives them little or no in¬ 
convenience. 
Hay Ropes. —I have already referred to the outbreak in Ger¬ 
many in 1858 on page 22. The miller who told me of this 
instance said the moth was most abundant during the month of 
June. This, he says, was the haying season, and long ropes of 
newly mown hay were made and placed about the mill in coils. 
He says the moths collected in great numbers in these coils r 
which were gathered up and burned each week. 
