The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-02-20
HOUSEHOLD PESTS.

.# E. . .
There are few housekeepers whn
have not wakened 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
maintained to keep clear of their en-
croschments. ay&a. ...,5,
Corrosive sublimate is one OF the
quickest poisons known and for that
reason is eficacious. The proportion
should be about one part corrosive,
sublimate to 100 parts of water, which
makes it very strong. This, used as .
wash, is nearly always effective for Che
time being, but other measures are
necessary for a complete riddanse. /.
Ants usually appear in the pantry
or cellar-way and invade, everything
they find. Sugar, -four, ETC., so sf-.
fected should be scalded with plenty
Of hot water to kill those already
there. Then everything should be re-
moved from the shelves and scalding
water poured over. Corrosive subli-
mate solution may then be poured
around, and when the shelves are dry
blow with powder bellows red pepper
in every crack and crevice. It isiun-
likely they will ever return.
Rats and mice are more diffcnlt 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 quantity of potash, pnt it in
the sun till it becomes soft, and then
with stick smear every hole that can
be found. Sooner than walk through
this q rat will change his abode. From
a druggist who sells glass get ell the
pieces they throw away, pound ina
and throw in the holes. Being sharp
it will out t1eir feet. This combina-
tion-potash and glsss-is q never
failing cure. - +
Reaches are among the most persist
ent pests that invade house. Get
equal parts of paris green and borax.
and, at night, set around their hsunts
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. . o.. iS:f 80, ~
1t is almost impossible to get rid OF
bugs in soft wood bed. Better burn
up the bed in the beginning. II is
generally true that the baby's crib 10
the offending member, being made Of
softer wood. Then all the beds In tho
house should be given turpentins
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 q bed is the aver
age allowance. This will kill al bugs
it reaches. = ~, a, . ~ =. .ts5,l
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 work. This will close
up al! little cracks where they could
have hidden, and not only keep them
out, but prevent others from getting
in. TIE base boards and other paint
should also be looked to, turpentined
and, if thought necessary, Vanished.
Such treatment will destroy them in
short order. ". = %,f,&' "
Willow cribs and rockers need st-
tention, particularly during warm
weather. The remedy for these II
scaIding water, an application of cor
rosive sublimate solution and coat OF
varnish, which had better he left to .
furniture dealer to administer.--Chi-
csgo Record. -"