The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-06-21

OF migrating. when they become
adult. in the direction of the prevail
ing winds.
Where these species must be con-
trolled. 1t is necessary to prevent
their breeding in definite portion
OF the marshes to the windward of
the community II is desired to pro-
tect. Last year about San Rafael
the marshes were inspected from
time to time and those found in
tested were treated with crude oil,
with the most satisfactory results,
until quite late in the year, when.
on account of the shortness of
funds for the purpose, it was neces-
sary to allow considerable breeding
in part of the marsh area, resulting
in a moderate degree of infestation
of the town later on. This season
the large marsh area extending from
South San Francisco nearly to San
Mateo has been taken in hand and
up to date the results are very salts
factory. The method employed in
this region consisted in oiling
regions incapable of treatment soon
enough by other methods: of an ex-
tensive system of ditching, such as
has been so successful in the marsh
lands along the Atlantic coast, and
more care in the drainage of re-
claimed areas. This region is in
tested by at least two troublesome
species. Fresh water areas are
sometimes filled up with earth.
sometimes drained, but more fire.
quently treated with Oil
All through the bay region there
is possibility at any time of fresh
water species becoming locally
troublesome. Usually the nuisance
is limited to few hundred feet
from the breeding place. for as far
as has been known none of the fresh
water species are truly migratory
In the larger part of the state these
migratory fresh water species
will be the only ones to be con-
sidered. Because of this local char
acter of the infection it is possible,
even in cities, for the individual to
largely protect his residence by
looking out for breeding places In
his immediate neighborhood. In
the country every farmer has the
situation practically in his own
hands. AS long as there is no fresh
water within a few hundred yards
of his residence. or if all the fresh
water that is allowed to exist is
carefully inspected from time to
time, he can be practically sure of
immunity.
Mosquitoes are by no means
found in all standing water, and one
will soon come to know the kind
of localities which is likely to be
infested by the species which is
the predominant form in his locali-
ty, although at first i, will be neces-
sary to very carefully and persis-
tently, inspect every possible place
of breeding. Mosquitoes are pc.
culiar among water insects in that
they usually prefer very small
bodies Of water, an old tin can on a
aump heap being a sufficient breed
ing place. for hundreds of mos
quitoes, and large open bodies OF
water are almost invariably free
from mosquitoes, except. sometimes
where the edge is filled with grass
and weeds. In many places where
the only standing water is il
bitches. sloughs and ponds the clear
ing out o fthe foul growth arounC
the margins will be all that is neces
sary to entirely eradicate the
trouble.
The matter of mosquito control
is particularly important in homes
where there is chronic case OF
malaria, because not only dc
repeated cases of reinoculatior
make 1T almost impossible to get
the malaria out of the system of the
patient, but he is a constant menace
to the health of the rest of the
family as long as the malaria-car.
rying species of mosquitoes are fly
ing about.
The chronological department OF
the University of California has had
charge of the mosquito control work
at San Rafael and about Burlin
game and has been making quite ex
tensive studies in other sections.
The subject of the spreading oil
disease by means of insects--flies
tleas, bugs, mosquitoes, etc--is re.
ceiving increased attention by sani
tarians. We know that the com.
mon house fly is capable of carrying
| and often does carry the infection
of typhoid fever, and there is NJ
doubt that it also carries diphtheria
tuberculosis and perhaps other dis
eases. Fleas and bugs are accused
of spreading plague, and that mos
quitoes are responsible for malaria
is admitted.