Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-31
MURDER THESE PESTS
TREAT MOTHS TO A STEAM BATH
AND A HOT IRON.
Nothing Equals Kerosene for Mos
quitOes-A Pinch of Gunpowder
is Good, Too.

Written for The Evening Star
The mosquito is commonly local issue.
seldom prevalent more than mile from
his breeding spot Hence the usefulness
of prevention. Mosquitoes invariably
breed in stagnant water. Seek out all
such spots as soon as ice melts and cover
their surfaces with thin layers of crude
kerosene. One ounce will spread over
fifteen square feet of surface. Two weeks
later make a second application and after
a month a third. By concerted action
almost any suburban place or country
neighborhood may be rid of these pests.
Where prevention is impossible close sleep
ing rooms tight in the morning and burn
in each of them a teaSpoonful of Persian
insect powder. Leave closed for three
hours then air well while the sun is hot
test and put back the screens. Where
room must be occupied at once and is
found infested with mosquitoes put pinch
of gunpowder upon plate, set it in the
middle of the room and touch it off by
means of a creased thread, lighted and al
lowed to act a fuse. The conclusion of
explosion will kill most of the mosquitoes
and so stun the rest that they may be
easily fought away.
Moth killing-In the matter of moths
prevention is a million times better than
cure. But where the pests exist, in a
rug or carpet on the floor, there are two
effectual remedies, both of which are
troublesome. The first is steam homeo-
spot as little as possible, but spread
over it a thick, clean towel wrung
out of hot water. Cover with a second
towel, also thick, and iron at least three
times with blazing hot irons Repeat over
the whole infected surface. 1t will kill
every live moth, but may leave eggs. A
fortnight later go over the carpet again.
The work must be thorough and kept care
ln,,
breadth escapes the steaming it is likely
to prove the breeding ground of a new
moth crop.
Where there is sufficient ventilation to
prevent danger of fire explosion also
to carry away the SMELL naphtha or even
well-refined kerosene is excellent for
moths. Sweep the surface clean, then go
over it with paint brush dipped in naph-
ina until 1T is sopping wet. Be careful to
begln work upon uneaten surface and to
put naphtha belt all around before
touching the worst spots. This is to keep
the moths from running into new harbors
Keep the room closed tight for six hours
SO the naphtha fumes may have a chance
at nylng moth-mlllers Then open all
doors and windows except those leading in
side and go through the room. tanning out
the naphtha gas. No light should he
brought into the room so treated for at
least two days, and it is a wise precau-
ton not to strike matches in a hall ad-
joining long as smell of naphtha IS
aperceptible. Neither the naphtha treat
ment nor the steaming. if properly done,
Will AFFECT the most delicate colors Small
"oolehs suspected of harboring moth eggs
may be wrapped in thin clean cloths, with
thick wet towels rolled outside, and popped
into very hot oven until the towels
scorch slightly upon the outside This
gives steamlng sufficient to destroy most
OF the eggs. Repeat it ten days later, es-
pecialiy II the woolens are to be packed
away.