New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
THE HOUSEKEEPER'S FOES.
THE WAYS OF THE MOTH AND BUFFALO Bu

THE WAYS OF THE MOTH AND BUFFALO Bu0.
1t is now time to look for moths, and to put away
all furs and woollen garments that will not be used
during the summer. Like so many insects which are
pests of the household the common moth lays its
eggs late in April II the clothing and furs put
away before it has had chance to get TO them all
trouble will be avoided. 1t Is well TO camphor
similar thing In Wrapping up valuable ar
ticles, because the moth avoids atmosphere saturated
with any of the various moth eXtermnators"; but
this is ALL If she has already laid her eggs saturat
ing the goods with the Odor Of camphOr, tar or any
thing else will be Of no avail. Tie grubs will hatch
out in cedar trunks and thrive as well there as any
where else when they used TO it. When clothing
Is put away hang it first outdoors in the air and beat
it thoroughly, to be that nothing has already got
in it; and then 1t can be packed with toerable So
curity against the ravages Of the ordinary white moth
The practice in families of leaving old coats, felt
hats and other casto woollen articles that never
wOrn hanging in closets is sure sooner or later, 10
draw moths. such articles should be given away sys
tematcally where they will do good and cannot
become of HARM they surely are when left
untouched for months in dark closets.
The carpet beetle is quite different from ordinary
moth 1t also lays its eggs during this month and
its hairy little grub matches out and begins to eat
almost anything that lies In its way Fortunately this
pest has not yet appeared all over the country and
there are many sections Of the land entirely free from
u
an omnvorous FEEDER the beetle, in its winged state,
is strict vegetarian and never touches wool. II is
especially fond OF the sprea and plants Of allied
epeces and for this reason these shrubs should no
longer be Familiarity cultivated in our dooryards az
they are now. After the buffalo beetle has
set UP claim In any house it is exceedingly difficult
to dislodge It, After 1t has passed through the grub
state and fed 10 it's full your most valuable carpets,
books and anything that comes in its way it flies
AWAY A beetle to live on q strict plant diet and dis
port itself in the sunshine. But it for moment
forgets where it came mistakes your house for
your neighbors when IL gets ready to lay its eggs.
Nothing Is more eyasporatng than its temperance
after months Of absence In exactly the corner Of
the carpet or bookcase where ii before, the
avidy with which the third fourth generation seem
TO follow the habits OF their ancestors and eat In the
same exact geometric lines making rag in all
their woik. Nothing will dslodge them but spray
ing the spot profuse1y with benZine They enjoy
tobacco, camphor refreshes them and tar builds up
their strength to renewed efforts.
The buffalo beetle is somewhat smaller than the
little lady bugn for which IL is unhapply often mis-
taken 1t is black with white spots blotches with
a bright red line down The centre Of its back II has
a decetfu way OF curling up Its legs and pretending
10 be dead when discovered. Do not believe this but
crush it numerically, for In few moments, II You
watch it on the sly, it will get up and walk away a.
able-boded and insOlent bug few.
The little lady bug coccinella, which so often
COMPOUNDED with the buffalo bug anthrehus is an
entirely different creature and should be encouraged
and cultivated as one Of the strongest allies OF the
gardener and farmer In his fight with insects noxlous
to vegetation. The common species Of coceinella is
a coral red with black spots on It's wings. though
or plant lice which destructive TO plants than
any insect have and, but for the little lady bug
land the lady bug or lady bird OF te nursery rbyns
is protected with the greatest care.