The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-31
AHouSEKEEPER'S PEST.
Reliable Methods by Which Houses Can
Be Cleared of Moths.

"Have you anything that is sure
death to mothsP" asked an anxious
looking housekeeper of a druggist the
other day.
The druggist smiled, looked as
though he would like to say ''chest-
nuts but answered.: $50 you belong
to the moth-persecuted multitude of
housekeepers. Well, for articles pack
ed away in boxes or drawers there are
several things l can recommend. Some
people prefer one remedy, some anoth-
er. You will find some families putting
| their faith and their winter clothes in
snuff and tobacco Others favor red
pepper, but for many years | have used
camphor, and consider that the best OF
ANYTHING. There is nothing disagreed
! BILE about it, and moths don't seek it as
a regular diet, in fact will never come
where there is the camphor odor.p
Doesn't it evaporate too quickly?'
mo. Put in good-sized pieces and
there is no danger from that source. a
piece as large as your list in SIX months
or year will be the size of hickory
nut, and the otor will penetrate every
part of the box or drawer where the
clothing is packed"
Cedar chips are also preventa-
tive he continued. ''Sprinkle them in
among goods packed away and you
will have no moths But they are not
very easily obtained. Sometimes they
can be found at a cigar-bOX factory,
but they are not enough to make their
use very general
s.The best way of all" he added, ''is
TO have a large cedar chest and pack
everything in that. But such chests
are expensive, and common mortals
must content themselves with other
methods.
Can moths be kept out of things
that are in everyday use, like carpets,
furniture, curtains, etc.
ga good housekeeper should never
be troubled with moths in II carpet, for
! if it is swept thoroughly, especially the
edges and corners, moths will not make
it their abiding place. Newspapers
laid under carpet are said to be an
effective aid in driving away these
troublesome pests, but hard sweepings
: are more reliable. If a room is to be
, shut up for any length of time some
thing should be sprinkled over the
floor"
: .Portieres and all curtains must have
frequent shakings or the moth miller
{ will be sure to lodge in their folds. The
, great object is to keep them out of 8
: house. for when they once locate and
take up claim, they have the ''squat
ters ri ght," and only force can drive
2 them out.
"But how are the unfortunates who
+ already have them in their house to gc
rid of them?"
e s.For such cases. l know of nothing
= better than some of the moth powders
e The other things have mentioned arr
S preventatives against moths. but thes'
s powders kill the moths themselves"
care they poisonous?"
/ mo. They are perfectly harmless
= The moths do not eat the powder, bu
. are suffocated by it. The powders ar
! made from tree that grows in Persia
n and will kill anything that hasn'
y lungs, sprinkle it plentifully aroun'
i a room where there are moths, shut u
@ the room for little while, and wha
9 moth heaven gains. we lose. The pow
Y ders arc good to put under carpets, an
6 if a house is to be closed, should be iii
Y orally used in every room. A carboii
9 acid dilution is also very good for any
9 thing that can be dampened withOu
= injury. - Chicago Nc'CS.