The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-11-05
PEST DREADED
BY HOUSEWIVES
Methods Of Eradication Of the CT.
mex LectuIarius (Bed Bug)

ay I,ctularius. This insect is calie1
by many names in different localities.
Np old English name Is "wall-louse"
In Boston these parasites ate called
r,bintzes" or "chinces." In Baltimore
one hears them called mahogany
fats" and In New York they are
,t,.led red coats" "Cimex" IS q
name given to the bug by the Romans
who we're we'll acquainted with II:
Iectularius' refers 10 it's habits, reiug
derivative OF 'lectus" meaning bed"
or couch
The Cimex lectularius is not likely
10 be very active in winter i'm cold
room. and ordinarily hibernllcs In it's
place Of concealment but r. warm
rooms 1t may continue its activities
The year around.
Il Is an animal that displays Ger
ain degree Of wariness and mtelli-
gencc from Its long association with
man Like nearly all insects parasitic
or animals, having had slight neccs.
CIV for extensive locomotiou 81; has,
after many ases, 40; 10 wings. the
absence of wings is n most fortunate
circumstance, since otherwise there
would be no safety from this pest, even
Tor the most careful aui thorough
housekeeper.
Tell II by It's odor.
Another characteristic feature eli
this insect is the very distinct cdor
which it exhales. an odor ;haracteris-
tic Of many plant insects rs well. The
possession Of this odor, ,hsagvDeablc |
as 20 Is, Is also a fortunate CItcdm-
stprco as II is OF considerable assis- |
lance IN detecting the presence OF It's
uNr-r. This Characteristic odor ia
supposed to have been originally the !
means of protection against birds that !
feed on insects, but IL has long lost (
This especial value for the ClmeX lee /
ularius. The natural enemies that !,
might be kept away by the 1dor are al |
ready kept away by the conditions un- |
der which tHe "CimeN' .liv.-'. and tue |
roach and house ant, which some
times feed on these yerut. are MOI |
evidently deferred by this character
.st0c.
The "ChmeN." though normally reed
iug ON human blood may subsist N
much simpler food. No other eXpia-
nation would seem 10 account for the
lg, Jhat houses long mocaupiel suli
are infested with this pest The in
sect. however, is. quite capable of
leaving any quarters where i; ia ~.
gAl. 10 thrive, and will often ndIrotc
o. aG adjoining house r. the residents
leave It's present habit1tloG vacant. 1t
Displays such apparent intelligence In
using every means Of escape, as win
daws walls water pipes and cutters,
tIat S. may he the miscortGH. e any
housewife q have her promises in
.9G.d despite the best Of care. The
insect also displays q surprising ia 4
clIig iJr concealment and viii abau-
don h.ds before daylight ana go 10
distant quarters for protection Tar be-
vont t0c reach of the most dligent
search Birthstone Good.
From its habits of concellment tnis
pest IS usually beyond The reach Cf
powders. and the ordinary insect pow
ders such as pyrethrum IRE # pral- ,
tiraly no value. The eradication Of
Che insect is comparatively easy from
iron and brass bedsteads, but wooden
bcjstgads offer a much more difficult
problem Very liberal applications Of
bcnzuo or kerosene, or any petroleum
oil is the most practical way TO uCe,
li. diihculty. This must be intro
duc,d into all crevices with small
brushes or feathers or 10y injecting
With small syringes. Corrosive sub
mat. lis also of value, ana OF AZ tur-
pentuc may be used in the same way. ,
The liberal use of boiling hot wafer,
Wherever it may be employed without ]
daneer to furniture. ETC. is also an
cieaWal method of destroying both
eggs and active adults. I
Various remedies and mixtures Tor J
his pest are Tor sale, most Of tlem
containing one or another Of tie in ;
Hedlouts mentioned, ana these are J
frequently OF value. y daily Inspection
OF beds and bedding and all crcyices
ana locations about the premises is
'E, best method TO use. \ vigorous \
'amls'gn should, in the course of u
"'eN or so at the outside. result in t
'He termination Of this very obnoN-
l"u5 aud embarrassing pest
Al the case of rooms containing !
books. or where liquid applications are |
Mad1isablc, thorough fumigation {
VIII birthstone is an effective means
Cl destruction. The method Is as fol- {
lows. ,
Place i'm the center oc tho room a
oAh conaining about ounces OF a
U,inatone, within II larger vessel, 50 3
mat The possible overlooking OF the 1
turning mass may not mjure the car l
I'' or set fire TO the aoor. After re- !
moving from the room all such metal
i' surfaces as migot he a'ta ted by .
''' Fumes, close every aperture, even '
vac beyholes and set fire To- The brim- /
s.'he When four or i've hours nave
.siFed HE room may be entered and f.,
vac windows opened FOR a. thorough
aIipe.
\nIIU MICE - r.