The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-08-10
CHASE OUT THE
MOSQUITOES

Honolulu, T. H, Aug. S. 1908.
Editor Advertiser: Now that it seem
probable that the Board of Health i
. likely TO inaugurate a vigorous wa
against the mosquito. it seems wise I
call the attention of the people of tn
city to the need of hearty co-opera
ton on the part of every householder
and to the fact that while the entir.
determination of the pest may be well
nigh impossible. still the undersigned
feels confident from his own expert
ments that very much can be done tc
make outdoor life IN the evenings no:
only endurabie but even enjoyable
During the past eight months 1 have
been increasingly interested in this
problem of destruction of the mosquito
both because of the annoyance caused
by their bites and their singing and
! because OF the liability of incubation
from their bites.
Two years and also one year ago I
was unable to take any pleasure or
comfort in any form of existence on
our lanai at Halehala, Vineyard street,
because of a scourge of mosquitoes
me as soon as l.
would locate myself anywhere and
would usually get up in a disagreed BILE
state of mind after few moments and
retire to my mosquito-proof room. And
with reason. Within ten feet of the Ia
mai 1 had three perfect breeding places,
enough to supply this veranda, our
front yard and our neighbors. Four
rods further away 1 had another tub of
stagnant water and some six rods from
the lanai still another open tub of
standing water supplying mosquitoes
for the barn.
This year things are changed; can
sit here on this same lanai as I am
now doing this afternoon in compare
tive comfort and can write you, Mr..
Editor this open letter without ex-
pending four-ffths of my available
energy in fighting and slapping at mos
quitoes. This is possible, not because
have screened in with netting this
lanai but because 7 have done away
with those mosquito breeding tubs.
Not only this, but I am keeping a
sharp outlook all around our yard and
I occasionally make an excursion into
my neighbors' properties and have sue
ceeded in exciting their co-operation
and the help of their yard-boys in
in old cans or bottles or other cast
out containers. in emptying out daily |
containers from which stock is water |
ed, in filing in hollows where water |
might collect and in covering absolute !
ly tight all cesspools and drains.
Today 1 am reaping the fruits of my |
labors and I shall reap again tonight if |
want to. For ] am sitting here in |
comfort. Only one mos |
quito has been bothering me this after |
noon. Four months ago there would |
have been at least a dozen around me. |
Last night was able to sit quietly for |
a long time, nearly an hour in fact, be- |
fore becoming much annoyed by mos |
quitoes. Four months ago 1 could not |
have done this, and / feel confident |
that these changed conditions have /
been brought about almost entirely |
through my own efforts.
Now it seems reasonable to suppose !
that, If the efforts. of one person can
be effective to such an extent as / re-
port, then there is hope for the COM
munity at large, if only every house
holder will get in and help. and allow
no vantage ground for these misery
creating insects to gain a foothold.
Mosquitoes are not strong on the
heir breeding places; but on account of
heir weak-fiight they may be and are
carried to considerable distances by II
winds like our northeast trades. 1t
nay be known that during strong
.rades few mosquitoes are found on
Pacific Heights near the residences of
Mr. Won Hamm, of Mr.. Pratt, or of Mr..
Kerr. But within a few hours after
he trades stop blowing and quicker, if
kona comes up, mosquitoes become
luite numerous in that region, flying
lp in the still air or helped along more
apidly by the south wind. III
This would surely indicate that our
Methods of determination, to be effec-
i've. must be applied over large areas
md on the windward side of the prop
rites which we intend to free from the
tests. 1 wish my more remote, as we'll
IS my near neighbors, would enter up
N a vigorous crusade against these
Insects, especially those householders
n the mauka side.
shall keep up my campaign because
have found that it pays in personal =
omfort to do it, and L trust that this
pen letter may incite others in the
ity to adopt similar plans for daily
se. Eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty" and eternal daily vigilance
must be the habit of every household
r to free our city and these islands of
mosquitoes. The Board of Health can
ot do it alone. Every householder
must get in a help. Let us all get in
nd help in this exceedingly worthy
ause.
Very truly,
A B. INGALLS,.