The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-07-20
Preyentives Against Mosquitoes.

Since the discovery that mosquitoes
are not only nuisances, but are also
conveyors of malaria, yellow fever
and other diseases, a great deal Of
remedial work has been done by in
dividuals and. communities, many
remedies and plans of action having
been tested on a large scale.
Mosquitoes breed in all sorts OF
places where is to be found the least
standing water. In pools, springs,
marshy land, rain barrels, water
tanks, old wells, fountains and orna-
mental ponds and every conceivable
place. The writer knows Of one in
stance where veritable plague of
mosquitoes was traced to a case of
empty beer bottles allowed to re-
main in a back yard for some weeks
in midsummer.
Search carefully for all such places
and either abolish the standing water
by carting away chance receptacles,
by turning over vessels, by filling in
excavations, or by treating other re-
ceptacles with film of kerosene, or
by introducing fish into fountains
and artificial ponds. The common
goldfish and silver fish destroy mos
quito larvae and should be placed in
park lakes and ponds.
Drainage of all swampy or low
areas needs no argument. This is a
very important consideration in the
treatment of the breeding places of
mosquitoes.
While it is obviously best to abol-
ish breeding places in the ways men
toned, it often happens that it is
not possible to drain, and at least as
a temporary expedient it becomes de-
sirable to treat the water so as to kill
the mosquito larvae. Many sub
stances have been tried, and, aside
from certain proprietary mixtures,
nothing has given such good results
as the use of oils. Efforts to find oils
that can be used to better advantage
than petroleum have failed. Com.
mon kerosene or low grade, or of the
grade known as fuel oil, is the most
satisfactory as regards efficiency and
price.
In choosing the grade of oil two
factors are to be considered: First,
it should spread rapidly; second, II
should not evaporate too quickly. The
heavier grades of oil will not spread
readily over the surface of the water
but will cling together in spots and
the coating will be unnecessarily
thick. The rapidity Of spread Of the
film is also important. AS to the
quantity, under still conditions, an
ounce of kerosene to Is square feet
of surface space is about the right
proportion, and in the absence OF
wind such a film will remain persist
ent for 10 days or slightly longer,
Even after the iridescent scum ap-
fparently disappears there is still an
odor of kerosene about the water. In
wind the film of kerosene is fire.
quently blown to one side, but with
a change will go back again, 80 that
larvae are destroyed. Not only are
larvae and pupae destroyed by the
kerosene film, but many adult mos
quitoes alighting on the surface OF
the water to drink or lay eggs are
killed by it.
A common spray pump Is very use
full in applying the oil. Small ponds
can be sprinkled out of an ordinary
watering pot with rose nozzle, or
for that matter pouring 1t out Of
dipper or cup will be satisfactory.
In larger ponds pumps with q
straight nozzle may be used. A
straight stream will sink and then
rise and spread until the whole sur
face Of the pond can be covered with
out waste. The English workers in
Africa advise mopping the kerosene
upon the surface of the water by
means Of cloths tied to the end of
long stick and saturated with kero-
sene.
Many large cities are planning ac-
tive campaigns against the mosquito
pest, some on a very large scale. The
board Of health Of East st. Louis, ILL.,,
has recently directed the health COM
missioner to pour crude oil on the
waters of Pittsburg lake, Cahokia
creek, and all other streams and
creeks near East st. Louis, with the
hope that the mosquitoes will be ex-
terminated. This is long stride in
the right direction.
In Panama larvicide is being
used which is made as follows: $50
gallons Of carbolic acid is heated in