Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-21
I HOUSE
HOLD
! LINTS

llne 10 De on the WaTpdln Ohtc AioAS'
for piping times of peace are out OF
the question with moth and rust corrupt
ing. flies, feas and other insects far more
Objectionable pushing their individual pro-
pagandas, and the bright spring sunshine
bringing all the spots, stains and shabby
places in furniture and garments into
shameless evidence. And first, how shall
we keep our furs and fur rugs from moths
during the spring and summer months?
The great secret OF keeping furs when they
are packed away is in having them abso-
lutely clean If moth or moth egg goes
into the closet with them, damage is GER
tain. fur garment Is better hung up than
folded away In a trunk or box-frst, be-
cause there is less danger OF crushing and
wrinkles; and, second, because II can be
more readily examined for moths. The
best plan. according to storer of furs,
Is to select dark closet and have II
papered all over with tar paper. Inc CELL
ing and floor must be covered the same
the sides. AS It's surface IS sticky the
tar paper should be covered with sec
ond coat OF paper to prevent the garments
coming in contact with the tar For this
second coat. newspaper Is best; the smell
OF printers ink being in Itself a discour-
ager OF moths. Before hanging In this
closet all garments, fur or wool. should
be thoroughly beaten with q slender cane
or switch, then combed with an ordinary
rubber oothed comb or one of steel, such
as professionals use. If the fur Is very
dirty showing spots of soil where II has
come against the neck, a good plan IS to
heat bran or white sand very hot. scat
ter II all through the fur, let II de for
while then beat and comb, and finish by
brushing both up and down with little
whisk broom. This cleanses and gives
luster to the fur.
Where only a chest. trunk pasteboard
box is to be had for storage 1t may be
lined with tar paper after the same manner
as the closet. If this is not practicable, any
Of the numerous moth preventives or oags
may be used. which. though sold under
different names. possess practically the
same ingredients Camphor gum Is also
excellent. but this well as all other moth
preventives should be carefully sewed In
thin muslin bags or twisted up In tissue
paper to prevent contact with the furs, as
they invariably leave spots on dark-colofeo
skins. The Odor can be overcome by
thorough beating and hanging In the open
air
All rugs. rs a rule are better left on the
floor during the summer. being careful TO
clean them frequently during the seasons
when doors and windows are constantly
open and moth milers allowed free ingress.
Dyed rugs such dog and goat skins are
not likely to attract moths. for during their
curing process personalities are used that
make them practically immune.
Sulphur IS sometimes used In cleansing
furs. but that should be the last resort. as
Il discolors fur and necessitates its being
redved.
sulphur for the Attic.-If the attic or
closets show signs Of moths good smok-
ing with sulphur IS most effective. Close
windows. plugging them up with bits Of
paper and cloth. then bring IN the sulphur
IN an old iron vessel. set within larger
one. containing earth or water. Light. make
your exit quickly. closing doors behind you
and then hanging over them heavy blan-
kets to prevent the smudge going through
the cracks. This IL good for fumigation, as
well as moths
Moths in Carpets-If YOU see signs OF
moth In a Garnet that You do not wish to
take up, try this good. old Pennsylvania
plan Of dispoSsessirE them: Put two ia
blespoonfuls Of tur0eutine In n half pail
OF hot water dip clean broom In II, shake
of SupcrfiuOus moisture on cloth. then
sweep carefully both WAYS of the grain Of
the carpet First one way. then the other.
This application Is also Of value when do
nestle animals have introduced heas into
the house All tho dust and sweepings
from the CARPET should he burned at once.
as feas are Matched and live for the first
tweuty-four hours OF their existence In the
dust Of the floor. II it Is necessary to take
the carpets up. heat thoroughly, wipe off
with uaphtha and hang whore the sun and
air can reach every portion Of them. The
floor meantime should be dsinfected by
first cleaning out all the cracks with
brush. then soap and water. and lastly by
washing with a preparation Of diluted car
bolic acid. injecting II into all cracks and
crevices.
For the Water BuF-Absolute cleanliness
and n starvation diet are the greatest en-
couragers 10 c0Ckro1Ch emigration. IF the
kitchen and pautr'ns are kept absolutely
clean without n crumb a bit OF grease or
any dirty damp. smelly corners. the cock
roach viii have to migrate to neighbors
who are not SO thorough in their house
keeuiug methods. Never leave any food Of
any kind uncovered even n You think you
have no pests. They can scent II from
efar and the prospect Of a feast finds them
scurrying in from reighboring apartments.
Keep the garbage pail emptied and scrub
bed out Empty he cats and dogs plates
over night. II YOU move into A new apart
raent and ind roa hes already In posses
sion the first requirement is to clean out
every corner and crevice with boiling water
and soap powder or potash. This may take
cr paint and varnish. but they can be
placed. Lift up the covers of the station
arv tubs and II POSSIBLE, remove entirely.
Let in the light of day, then scald and
scrub until every particle Of dust is re-
moved For the larger cracks. a thin
bladed knife may be employed. and for the
smaller a large pin or hairpu. Up your
crusade take IN the steam radiator pipes.
the tub and sink pipes. the chimney and
IN fresh insect powder. Kerosene Is one Of
the best insect dec rogers, but one hesitates
10 commend II 10 any but an exceedingly
careful housewife. for fear Of fire.
For Rats and Mcc.-The latest expedent
for Kidding house Of rats is the spraying
u strong spirits uf ammonia in holes and
cracks in the sub-base. Then spread the
white % an egg on a cloth. sprinkle lib
orally with red Pepper and tack over rat
holes pepper Inside. Whitewash made yell
low With cOpperas, then applied thickly to