The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-17
THE MOSQUITO QUESTION .
Ihe Way of Kidding Yourself of This
rest by Sanitary improvements
10 Away With Rain Barrels and
Ditches,

The most promising indication of I'LL
innate success in the war against the
mosquito is found in the fact that
those who are effecting the redemptiou
OF nelghbOrhOods are doing so by sound
engineering methods ~-- along the lines
OF permanent sanitary improvements.
The admitted efficacy Of crude petro-
Ieum in killing the larvae of the mos
quito when in contact encouraged the
belief that the problem of MOSQUITO ex-
termination was much Simpler than it
really Is. 100 much was expected of
IL. Inc measure of benefit resulting
from II was not great enough in many
Instances TO encourage perseverance.
ana IL looked for a time as if the spas
modlc enthusiasm awakened by the
sanitary inspector with his barrel of oil
and his watering pot had gven lace to
the apathy with which ommunitie en-
dure What thev have learned to regard
as impossible of correction.
A new n more useful interest in the
redemption of neighbOrhOods from the
curse OF the mosquito is being awaken
ed by students Of the problem who, dis
trusting everything like empiriciSm,
are developing what may b. called the
science OF mosquito engineering. An
excellent example Of wOrk of this char
acter is described III a monograph en-
titled Mosquito determination in
Practlcs'. published by the Board of
f1ealtn OF Lawrence, l.. l.. which every
one for whom the problem has interest
may study with profit. To rid Law
renee OF mosquitoes it btcame evident
that two distinct problems must be
dealt with; that of the domestic insect
-CullX plplens, including the malaria
bearing Var1ety-Cule anOpheles, call
ing for n method of attack, and that
OF the marsh mOsquito-Culex solicitans
demanding very different treatment.
For the existence of the domestic mos
quito 1t is now known that no other
excuse exists than the careleSsneSS of
the householder in tOlerating rain bar
rels' drainage bitches. discarded uten-
Sis, like vegetable cans, paint kegs and
the ike, capable Of holding rain water.
1t may. however, and usually does,
need an expert to point out the danger
OF conditions SO familiar that they are
overlooked by those who suffer from
them. To rid an isolated house of the
CuleX plplens is rarely difficult and
never expensive. The Misunderstanding
anopheles are bred along the edges of
ponds, especially those overhung by
trees and invaded by roots. The only
thorough and remedy for
them is to drain such ponds and fill
up their basins.
In dealing with the ~marsk-bred mos
qulto-CuleX sOlicitans-comprehensive
plans or local improvements are neceS-
sary. The Lawrence experiments to
this end are interesting and instruct
i've. Mosquitoes are not bred in salt
marshes nor within the high and low
water levels of the ordinary tides. Their
faVorlte habitat appears to be along
the upper edges of such marshes,
reached only by the Spring tides, and
where the standing water is at most
slightly brackish. Such pools contain
the '~'wigglers," which include the lar
vac and of the solIcitans in num-
bers beyond computation. Observations
at Lawrence led to the interesting gen
~eralization that they are never found
below the normal high tide level, and
never in pools which, beyond the reach
Of spring tides, are permanently fresh.
The method Of treating the breeding
grounds with petroleum was tried, but
1t was expensive and of transient ben
eft. The plan now in hand is to open
every pool and pocket along the edge
of the uplandS to every normal diurnaI
tide. This is effected by ditch1ng, which
permits the salt water to have access
to the entire area of the marsh. The
results of the work already completed
are very satisfactory. Not one breeding
pool can be found where formerly there
were hundreds. When the entire sys-
tenn of bitches for the extensive marsh
areas surrounding the town IS COM
pleted, at a total cost Of less than 5000,
1t IS believed with good reason that
Lawrence Will be practically free from
further trouble from mosquitoes. In
few locations would the problem have
seemed more homeless Of unsatisfactory
solution. We commend the admirable
Lawrence report to the consideration
of town authOrities.-New York Times.