MITES. 
45 
It is noticeable in the above account that the creatures did not 
appear at home in their quarters, for it is observed that “ at doors and 
windows these vermin were dropping in shovelfuls.” Also in the 
observation given by Mr. Kobinson, at p. 42, he remarks that numbers 
of the Mites were dropping from the sides of the hayrick. These 
points suggest whether the Mites would have migrated and left the 
hay clean ? 
They dislike airy, dry situations, so that the airy loft would, on the 
face of the thing, be the kind of place from which they would be 
likely to remove. But we need further observations as to method 
of life; and especially, where found in lofts, whether there were 
any dairy buildings or other places near, from which they could have 
migrated. 
As they multiply by hatching from eggs, a thorough purification 
of the floors, walls, and roofs of an infested loft would be highly 
desirable, as soon as it was emptied, in order to destroy all eggs and 
hatching, or young Mites. Probably nothing would answer this 
purpose better than a good whitewashing of everything accessible, for 
the bright white colour, would at once show whether the work was 
thoroughly done or not. It would require good overlooking to ensure 
that the wash should be well got into all holes and corners, as these 
are the places which the Mites would most frequent, and which the 
whitewashes would the least attend to. 
Where the Mites drop in the myriads noticed to the ground below, 
it would be desirable (and would cost little) to lay a strip of rough 
cloth or old oil cloth, or anything of the kind which might carry a 
good stripe of wet tar on it, just below where the Mites were dropping 
from. Thus any further annoyance or inconvenience would be pre¬ 
vented, at least from these; but with regard to clearing the infested 
Hay I have as yet no reliable information. 
As the Mites dislike light and air and dryness, it would appear 
likely that if each day’s fodder could be lightly shaken up into a kind 
of haycock some time before use, they would at least go down to 
the lowest part of the heap, and free the rest of the fodder. But this 
is only conjecture. Any practical means for getting rid of this 
infestation, which is disagreeable even if it is harmless, would be very 
desirable. 
