Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-05-02
Household Pests.

There are few housekeepers who
have not Weakened some morning to
find the sugar or butter or -four 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 exterminate them, and after that
a constant watchfulness must be main
tanned to keep clear of their encroach-
ments.
Corrosive sublimate is one of the
quickest poisons known and for that
reason is efficacious. The proportion
should be about one part corrosive
sublimate to 100 parts of water, which
makes it very strong. This, used as a
wash, is nearly always effective for
the time being, but other measures are
necessary for complete radiance.
Ants usually appear in the pantry
or cellar and invade everything
they find. Sugar, -four, etc, so af-
fected should be scalded with plenty
of hot water to kill those already there.
Then, everything should be removed
from the shelves and scalding water
used. Corrosive sublimate solution
may then be poured around, and when
the shelves are dry blow with pow
der bellows red pepper in every crack
and crevlce. 1t is unlikely they will
ever return.
Rats and mice are more difficult to
deal with. Poison is out of the ques-
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 Is
to get a quantity Of potash, put in the
sun till it becomes soft, and then with
a stick smear every hole that can be
found. As soon as they walk through
this rat will change his abode. From
a druggist who sells glass get all the
pieces they throw away, pound fine
and throw in the holes. Being sharp
it will cut their feet. This combina-
tion-potash and glass-is never
failing cure.
Reaches are among the most persist
ent pests that invade a house. Get
equal parts of paris green and borax,
and, at night, set around their haunts
in old dishes. They Will die like magic.
Sometimes they are found in desks, es-
pecially in Offices. This preparation
scattered freely under the bottom pa
per will rid the drawers Of them.
1t is impossible to get rid of bugs
in Il soft wood bed. Better burn up
the bed in the beginning. 1t is gen
orally true that the babys crib is the
offending member, being made of soft
er wood. Then all the beds in the
house should be given a turpentine
bath, pouring it into all the cracks and
crevices. The spring should have an
extra good dose, aud the edges of the
mattress, bolster and pillows, soaked.
A pint to bed is the average allow
ance. This will kill all bugs it
reaches.
Blow insect powder all over the bed
spring and mattress examine the bed
every day twice week for month.
Next varnish the wood work. 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 nee
essary, vanished Such treatment
will destroy them in short order.
Willow cribs and rockers need at
tention, particularly during warm
weather. The remedy for these is
scalding water, an application of cor
rosive sublimate solution and a coat Of
varnish, which had better be left to
a furniture dealer to administer
Chicago Record.