The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-11-12
Methods Of Eradication For The
ChinCh.


pest that is dreaded by all house
wives, but whose presence is not
necessarily an indication of care
lessness, is the Cimex Iectularius.
This insect is called by many names
in different localities. An old Eng
lish name is wall-louse. In Boston
these parasites are called chintzes,
or, chinches. In Baltimore one
hears them called mahogany flats,
and in New York they are styled
| red coats. Cimex is a name given
to the bug by the Romans, who
were well acquainted with 1t; lee
tularius refers to its habits, being
a derivative of lectus, meaning bed,
or couch.
The Cimex lectularius is not
likely to be very active in winter
in cold room, and ordinarily hi
bernates in it's place Of conceal
ment, but in warm rooms it may
| continue its activities the year
around
1t is an animal that displays a
certain degree of wariness and in
telligence from it's long association
with man. Like nearly all insects
parasitic on animals, having had
| slight necessity for extensive To-
! comotion, it has, after many ages,
I re yir1cy oh .f
] wings is most fortunate circum-
stance, since otherwise there would
be no safety from this pest, even
for the most careful and thorough
housekeeper.
Another characteristic feature of
this insect is the very distinct odor
which it exhales, an odor character
istic of many plant insects as we'll.
The possession of this odor, dis
agreeable as it is, Is also fortu-
nate circumstance, as it is of con-
siderable assistance in detecting the
presence of it's owner. This char
acteristic odor is supposed toaEkaaVe
been originally the means of pro-
lection against birds that feed on
insects, but it has long lost this
especial value for the Cimex lectu-
larius. The natural enemies that
might be kept away by the odor are
already kept away by the conditions
under which the Cimex lives, and
the roach and house ant, which
sometimes feed on these vermin are
not evidently deferred by this
characteristic.
The Cimex, though normally feed
ing on human blood, may subsist
on much simpler food. No .other
explanation would seem to account
for the fact that houses long un-
4 occupied still are infested with this
pest. The insect, however, is. quite
capable of leaving any quarters
where it is unable to thrive, and
will often migrate to an adjoining
house if the residents leave its
present habitation vacant. 1t dis
plays such apparent intelligence In
using every means of escape, as
windows, walls, water pipes and
cutters, that it may be the mis-
fortune of any housewife to have
her premises invaded, despite the
best of care. The insect also dis
plays a surprising facility for con-
cealment, and will abandon beds
before daylight and go to distant
| quarters for protection, far beyond
| the reach of the most diligent
search.
From its habits of concealment
this pest is usually beyond the
reach of powders, and the ordinary
insect powders, such as pyrethrum,
are of practically no value. The
eradication of the insect is COM
paratively easy from iron and brass
bedsteads, but wooden bedsteads Of
fer much more difficult problem.
Very liberal applications of benz
zine or kerosene, or any petroleum
oil, is the most practical way to
meet this difficulty This must be
introduced into all crevices with
small brushes or feathers, or by
injecting with small syringes. Cor
rosive sublimate is also of value,
and oil of turpentine may be used
in the same way. The liberal use
of boiling hot water, wherever it
may be employed without danger
to furniture, etc., is also an effec-
tual method of destroying both eggs.
and active adults.
In the case of rooms containing
books, or where liquid applications
are inadFisable, thorough fumi-
CATION with birthstone Is an effec-
tive means of destruction. The meth
cd is as follows:
Place in the center of the room
dish containing about 4 ounces
of birthstone, within a large YES
sci, so that the possible OVERLOOKING
of the burning mass may not injure
the carpet or set fire to the floor
After removing from the room all
such metallic surfaces as might be
affected by the fumes, close every
aperture, even the keyholes, and
set fire to the birthstone. When
four or five hours have elapsed,
the room may be entered and the
windows opened for a thorough air