The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-05-21
How 10 Free the House from Var.
BY EXPERIENCE.

! We will begin with the most offensive
the bed bug. Scores of methods hay,
been tried to rid the house of these. anc
In some cases there would seem no RENE
dy when beds, bedding, walls, and ever
furniture are infested; yet patience anc
perseverance has effected what seemeG
an lmposslbility.
/" hen closets and floors are the lurkins
places use strong sassafras tea, dashing
II into every corner and crack, under the
surface, INTO the floor seams, and every
crevlcc Let 1t lie in one place while do.
ing another, and do not be too careful in
Wlplng OIL the surface. After doing this
lli mp all cracks, or holes with SOAP OF
putty.
Should this not prove effectual. a. il
does, after one or two applications. try
Carbohc Acid and water, one table spoon
tul of acid to four quarts Of water. or )
little stronger If used only for holes and
cracks. This was used in South America
levery two week to keep out the very
Troublesome insects there.
For bedsteads do not rely on salt and
water coal oil, red precitate and lard, ex-
cept as temporary rene lies Instead try
Corrosive Sublimate mixed with Carbolic
ACID; Ii this is used thoroughly it will
last for several years, especially if the
ted and bedding have been well tumed
with the Carbolic acid Coal oil mixed
with the oll used IN lubricating machine
~ Is also excellent, as it retains the often
slve properties of the coal oil, which
evaporateS too freely when used by itself
Still, though this mixture has proved
eftectual In one instance, Carbolic Acid
and Corrosive Sublimate have stood the
test OF years. Carboic soap would be of
good service in stopping up cracks and
crevices.
a good cost of varnish put over the
bcdstead, and into seams aud corners, is
an excellent temporary remedy.
here the insects, through neglect,
have accumulated in great numbers, coal
oil destroys them at once in their haunts.
and prevents the danger of scattering
them about as when the brush or cloth is
used. The oil will prevent returning for
two or three weeks if usel freely.
Red precipitate and lard. if put into
the holes made for screws, or other fas
Jennings will keep out the insects for a
year or two, but will not prevent their
lnfestlng other parts of the bed aud bed
ding
Corrosive Sublimate and Carbolic Acid
Is best put on with a sharp pointed feath
er, such as a goose feather, SO that all
cracks can be reached by the LIQUID
Any good druggist can find furnish the
When hair mattresses are tn, rou yhly
permeated by fumes of Carbolic Acid
they will remain tree from the i'm GA Is of
bugs for years. This fumigation is fire.
quently done by the manufacturers, and
proves great recommendation to their
work.
Bugs are constantly brought into houses
by travellers, books from libraries. old
papers, ETC., not to mention the riders of
street cars, SO that extreme vigilance Is
required to prevent their inroads When
railway cars are taken to pieces for re
pairs, these insects are found by scores.
Secl eted about the seats Their natural
Increase is so rapid, that if they did not
destroy each other, they would DON ren
der house uninhabltable were no means
taken to destroy them. In cities they
have beln seen forming regular process
sion from one house to another. They
Will also preoipitate themselves voluntari-
y from the ceiling to the bed. The in
sect, which by daylight seems sluggish
and stupid, at night is as active as an
ant.
Their original home is said to be among
pine trees, and they have been found 10
lumbers on fresh pine boards.
Swallows that are allowed to fre1uent |
'hlmneys Introduce another variety into
houses. This kind being slim are more
difficult to eradicate than the commoner
Kind. These will run run over curtains
md walls very rapidly.
Bats are said to drop bugs while flying
about the house at night, or when attrac- |
ed to a room hu a linht