The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-04-09
HOUSEHOLD PESTS.


There are few housekeepers who
have not wakened some morning to
find the sugar or butter or flour alive
with ants, the hanging shelf invaded
with rats, the sink overrun with
reaches. So rapidly do these pests
breed that the most heroic efforts only
will extermlnate them, and after that
constant watchfulness must bo
maintained to keep clear of their en-
croachments
Corrosive sublimate is one of the
quickest poisons known and for that
reason is eflicacious. The proportion
should be about one part corrosive
sublimate to 100 parts of water, which
makes it very strong. This, used as u
wash, Is nearly always effective for the
time being, but other measures arc
necessary for n complete radiance.
Ants usually appear in the pantry
C cellar-way and invade everything
they find. Sugar, flour, etc, so n.
fected should be scalded with plenty
OF hot water to kill those already
there. Then everything should he re-
moved from the shelves aud scaldin2
water poured over. Corrosive subli-
mate solution NAV then be poured
around, and when the shelves are dry
blow with powder bellows red pepper
In every crack and crevice. 1t is un-
likely they will ever return.
Rats and mice are more difficult to
deal with. Poison is ont of the 0ucs
ton in the summer, for they always
choose place in the house TO die
Traps fail to ensnare them. The only
plan to drive them away absolutely ia
to get quantity of potash, put it in
the sun till 1t becomes soft, and then
with stick smear every hole that can
be found. Sooner than walk through
this rat will change his abode. FROM
druggist who sells glass get all the
pieces they throw away, pound fine
and throw in the holes Being sharp
1t will cut their feet. This combina-
tion-potash and glass-is a never
failing cure.
Roaches are among the most persist
ent pests that invade house. Get
equal parts of paris green and borav,
and, Mt night, set around their hauut4
in old dishes. They will die like
magic. Sometimes they are found IN
desks, especially in offices. This prep
aration scattered freely under the bot
tom paper will rid the drawers of
them.
1t is almost impossible to get rid of
bugs in n soft wood bel. Bst.sr burn
up the bed in the beginniGy. 1t is
generally true that the babys crib is
the offending member, being made of
softer wood. Then all the beds in the
house should be given n turpentine
bath, pouring it into all the cracks
and crevices. The spring should have
an extra good dose, and the edges of
the mattress, bolster and pillows
soaked. A pint to n bed is the aver
age allowance. This will kill all bugs
1t reaches
Blow insect powder all over the bed
spring and mattress examine .he bed
every day, repeating this treatment
twice week for a month Next var.
nish the wood wori. This will close
up all little cracks where they could
have hidden, and not only keep them
out, but prevent others from getting
IN. The base boards and other paint
should also be looked to, turpentined
and, if thought necessary, vanished.
Such treatment will destroy them in
short order
Willow cribs anil rockers need at
tention, particularly during warm
weather. The remedy for these is
scalding water, an application of cor
rosive sublimate solution and coat of
varnisb, which had better be left to
furniture dealer to administer. Chi.
caSo Record.