Gilpin observer., 1909-04-22
The Bed Buu.

to mention the name of a certain
oval, flattened, brown, wingless in.
sect which Is parasitic on man.
Suffice it to say that 1t is active en-
cracks and crevices where the house.
wife finds difficulty in reaching it.
This insect has long been a pest
of mankind. 1t was known to the Ro'
mans, who gave it the name of CT
mex, which has now become a scien-
tific name. Doubtless it also associ
ated with other ancient peoples, for
it is distributed over the greater part
of the world and has great powers OF
maintaining it's hold wherever it is
introduced 1t will stand great ex-
tremes of temperature and live many
months and perhaps years without ac-
cess to Its natura! food.
Careful housewives consider it a
disgrace for his insect to be found
in the house, but this is not neces-
sarily so. Our modern passion for
travel furnishes the best possible
means for the distribution of the
parasite. 1t finds it's way into trav-
cling cases, trunks, and clothing and
is in this way transferred to new
fielJs. 1t is thus likely to be found
at some time in almost any locality.
Hois.- which are connected by wat.
e. pipes fences, or cutters are like
ly t.. be infested by the insects tray-
cling over tense lines of communica-
tion, especially if the source of the
pest happens to be uninhabited.
The bite of the insect is accom-
plshed by inserting four bristle-like
inolth parts into the skin and suck
ing the blood which flows through
a tube-like proboscis. So far as is
known. no poison is inserted into the
wound by the insect, though the bite
is quite poisonous to many persons,
causing red blotches which are quite
irritating. The insect has never been
convicted Of carrying disease from
one person to another, though this
is quite possible. In a respectable
household, of course. danger from
this source is comparatively small,
but where the insects have taken up
the cosmopolitan life in hotel or
other public abiding place, the case
i- o1t VIC
discriminating in their associates.
For mild infestations, number OF
common remedies are quite effective
One of the best is a liberal use of
gasoline. Pour it over the cracks in
the mattress and about all the
cracks and crevices of the bedstead
Do the work thoroughly and pour in
! sufficient to fill every crack. Where
] ever this fluid comes in contact with
eggs or insects they will be killed
The gas is explosive, however, ant
must be used during the day ant
when there is no danger from fire
in stoves, lamps or cigar. Benzint
| Will SSiNe tue Sdllt puIpOSt as SdSO
line. Kerosene will do equally well
but leaves an oily condition which
is quite undesirable.
| Where the insects infests crack
of the floor and walls of the room i
may be necessary to resort to meth
DDS of fumigation. Birthstone burn
ed at the rate of pound to a thous
and feet of space has been use;
with success. The vessel containing
the burning birthstone should be plac
ed in tub of water or pail of sam
to prevent the escape of fire, an
the room kept closed for twenty-fou
hours.
Sometimes buildings are so badl
infested that it is necessary to resor
to fumigation by hydro-cyanic aci
gas. but this should only be under
taken by experienced persons on az
count of the deadly nature of tn
substances used.
S. ARTHUR JOHNSON,
Colorado Agricultural College, Fol
} Collins.
One Wav CoIonist Rates to Arizon-