The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-31

wooden structure. 1t is comparatively easy
to rid ones self of unwelcome visitors.
Kerosene and vigilance is all that viii be
required. Wipe the bed, the Dashboard and
the backs of pictures hanging near the bed
will the oil, and the bugs will disappear
in short order, leaving no trail behind. This
course of treatment is also good as a pre-
~ventive, as the bedbug has a rooted aver
sion to the odor of petroleum. An old
house, with loose wall paper and cracked
wainscoting, offers a tempting field TO this
bug, which thrives in darkness and conceal
ment. Here again kerosene must be used.
a feather or small syringe assisting in the
work. IL Impossible to reach them In this
way a thorough fumigation with birthstone
will assist in the work of destruction.
Take from the room anything likely to
be injured by the fumes, such as gilt picture
| frames, or anything with a metallic sur
face. Stop up all cracks. even to the key
hole, open bureau drawers wide and pull
the bed apart; then set fire TO a sulphur
candle or some of the powdered birthstone
placed in a dish, set within a larger vessel
containing water or earth-this to avoid
injuring the carpet or setting IRE to the
hours, then open windows and doors for a
thorough airing.
THE WATER BUG.
While the water bug. which is a historic
contemporary of the bedbug, is often COM
mended as a "clean bug" his presence is
not to be encouraged. Naphtha will give
him his Quietus, but kerosene is cheaper,
and quite as effectual. The water pipes by
the range, in the c~revices of the stationary
tubs, under the wainscoting, and the top
kitchen pantry shelf are famous hunting
grounds for this insect, and the liberal
application OF petroleum will send the
whole army scurrying out. when a whole
sale slaughter may be instituted. Absolute
cleanliness will be found the best proven
tive of reaches. Leave no floor uncovered:
no grease or crumbs on the kitchen table
or in the sink.
To dispose of feas.-The sudden overrun-
ming of the house with fieas can usually be
attributed TO the pet dog or cat.
The first thing TO do under the circum-
stances Is to take up the carpet or mat
ting under which they thrive. and wash
the floor with scalding soap suds. Follow
with a liberal application OF naphtha or
kerosene, injecting into all cracks and
| c~revices.
Where mosquitoes breed in small pools
of standing water or the rain water barrel
under the caves, they may be dispossessed
kerosene. Where they appear in swarms,
however, from some large body or water
or morass that cannot be reached by pri-
vate individuals, all that can be done Is 10
act on the defensive. Screens are impera-
tive-at doors and windows, and mosquito
bars about the bed.
Chinese joss sticks are popular at plaza
parties in mosquito districts. each indivlo-
ual holding his own lighted stick In order
to keep the enemy at bay. These sticks
may be purchased at any Chinese or Jrpa-
nese store at 5 cents a package. They
contain about two dozen sticks. each OF
which Will burn about an hour, giving out
a pleasant. aromati smoke.
In the matter Of the house fly. cleanli-
ness, screens and sticky hy-paper seem TO