The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-06-26
Ghelemarrsf-S Star
CLOTHES MOTH.
ONE OF THE DESTRUCTIVE OF THE
HOUSEHOLD.

MANY a drawer, box or trunk full OF
wooden clothes, furs or feathers, has
been packed in the spring of the year
in good condition. but when opened
and unpacked in the fall have been
found to have been riddled by the
larvae OF the clothes moth. The par
ents OF these larvae are small, light
brown moths, and can be seen flying
about the house early in May. The
female, when ready TO deposit her
eggs, works her way into dark corners
and into the folds of garments. ap-
parcntly choosing by instinct the least
conspicuous places. From these eggs
hatch the soft, whitc-bodied larvae,
each one OF which begins immediately
to make a case for itself from the
fragments OF the cloth upon which 1t
feeds. They enlarge their cases by
adding new material to either end,
and by goreing the sides. The larvae
reach maturity as winter approaches.
when they crawl to some more remote
and better place for protection, where
they remain until the following
spring, when they transform into
chrysalis, from which the adult
energies about the first OF May, or
latcr-somc appearing in August, or
even later than this.
Agrcat deal Of unnecessary expendi.
turc for cedar chests, wardrobes, and
various compounds In the way Of pow
dcrs has been urged by the various
writers on this pest, but experience
has shown that after a thorough treat
ment IN May or June, garments may
be safely put away for the rest OF the
season, with nc other protection than
wrapping them closely in stout paper,
to preclude infection through some
belated female.
The latter part Of May or early June
a vigorous campaign should be entered
upon. Everything about a house that
might conceal a moth should be thor.
oughly shaken and aired, and, when
possible, the clothes and furs should
be left in the sun for some hours. II
the house is badly infested, or any
particular article is supposed to be
badly infested. a free use of benzine
will be advisable. All the floor cracks
and dark closets should be sprayed
with this substance. BcnZine spray
will kill the insects in every stage,
and is one of the few substances which
will destroy the eggs. Nolight should
be brought into the q while the
benzine is being applied, as it Is highly
infiammable. The room and clothes
should be thoroughly aired afterward,
before any light is introduced. Cam
pllOr, tobacco, napthalinc and other
strong od0rs are only partial re-
~pcllants, and without the May and
June treatment are of little avail.
Mr.. L. o. Howard, the United States
cntomologist, tells OF an excellent
plan Which he has adopted. lie buys
for a small sum from his tailor a mum
Der OF pastehoard boxes in which they
deliver suits, and his wife carefully
folds and packs away all the clothing,
cumming a strip of wrapping paper
around the edges Of the cover, SO as tt
leave no crack. These boxes will last
life time, with careful use. Others
use for the same purpose ordinary pa
per -four sacks or linen pillow cases
which answer well.
Too much pains a not be taken t
destroy every moth seen during thu
early part of the season, for immunit.
for the rest Of the year depends almos'
entirely upon the thoroughness OF tn
work done in May or une.-Prof.W
G.. johnson, Univ. OF Illinois.