The Detroit times., 1913-11-21
GOVERNMENT IS
STUDYING HOUSE
PROBLEM
Prepares Pamphlet Shedding
Light on Nature and Habits
of Bedbugs
THEIR PRESENCE NOT
INDICATIVE OF FILTH
Report Says They Show Great
Persistence i'm Moving From
Place to Place


but whose presence is not necessar'
lily an indication Of earelessness. is
the Cimex leetularius. This insect
is called by many names in different
localities. An old English name Is
'wall-louse. In Boston these para
sites are called "chintzes" or
"chinches In Baltimore one hears
them called mahogany fats and
in New York they are styled red
coats E" "Cimex" is name given 10
the bug by the Romans who were
we'll acquainted with 1t, "lectula-
RUS" refers To It's habits, being
derivative OF "lectus, meaning
bed" or couch.
The Cimex lectuhrius is not likely
to be very active In winter in a cold
room. and ordinarily hibernates in
its place OF concealment, but in warm
rooms II may continue its activities
the year around.
Ii Is an animal which displays a
certain degree OF wariness and intel
ligence from its long association with
man. Like nearly all insects parasi-
tic on animals, having had slight
necessity for extensive locomotion. II
has. after many ages, lost its wings
The absence OF wings Ia most for
tunate circumstance, since otherwise
there would be no safety from this
pest. even for the most careful and
thorough housekeeper
Odor Means Of Protection.
Another characteristic feature OF
this insect is the very distinct odor
which IL exhales. an odor characters
tic OF many plant insects as we'll.
The possession OF this odor. disagree
able as II is. is also a fortunate cir
cumstance. as II is OF considerable as
sistance In detecting the presence OF
its owner This characteristic odor
is supposed to have been originally
the means OF protection against birds
which feed on insects, but 1T has long
lost this especial value for the Cfmex
lectularius. The natural enemies that
might be kept away by the odor are
already kept away by the conditions
under which the "Ctmex" lives. and
the roach and house ant. which some-
times feed on these vermin, are not
evidently deferred by this charac-
teristic.
The "Cimex." though normally
feeding on human blood. may bub-
sist on much simpler food. No other
explanation would seem to account
for the fact that houses long unoc-
cupied still are infested with this
pest The insect, however, Is quite
capable OF leaving any quarters
whore il is unable to thrive. and
will often migrate to an adjoining
house If the residents leave its pres
ent habitation vacant. 1t displays
such apparent intelligence In using
every means OF escape. as windows
walls, water pipes and cutters. that
IL may be the misfortune OF any
housewife to have her premises In
vaded. despite the best OF care.
Insect Elusive.
The insect also displays a surpris-
ing facility for coneealment, and
will abandon beds before daylight
and 20 to distant quarters for pro-
lection far beyond the reach OF the
most diligent search.
From It's habits of concealment.
this pest Is usually beyond the reach
OF powders. and the ordinary insect
powders, such 81 pyrethrum are OF
no value The eradica-
ton OF the insect Is comparatively
easy from iron and brass bedsteads,
but wooden obedsteads offer much
more difficult problem Very liberal
OF benzine or kerosene.
or any petroleum oil. Is tho most
practical way to meet this difficulty.
This must be introduced into all
crevices with small brushes or feath-
ors. or by injecting with small sy-
rfnges Corrosive suhiimate -is also
Of value. and oil a turpentinc may
be used in the sane way. The lib
sral use Of boiling hot water. where
ever 1t may be- employed without
danger TO furniture. etc, Is also an
effectual method OF destroying both
eggs and active adults.
Various remedies aud mixtures for
his pest are for sale. most OF them
one or another OF the In
gradients mentioned, and these are
OF value. A daily inspec-
Ion OF beds and bedding and OF all
,revices and locations about the
premises Is the best method TO use.
A vigorous campaign should. In the
course OF week or so at the out
tide, result I'm the determination OF
This very obnoxious and embarrass-
ng pest.
In the case OF rooms containing
books. or whore liquid applications
ire inadvisable. thorough fumiga
ton with birthstone is an effective
means OF destruction. The method
3 as follows:
Place in the center OF the room.
1 dish containing about four ounces
" birthstone. within larger vessel
20 that the possible OVERLOOKING OF
he burning mass may not injure the
,arpet or set Are 10 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
Drimstone When four or five houre
nave elapsed. the room may be enter
"a and the windows opened for a
thorough airing.
A contract has been let By the pub
~ Wnrka damn "A ptx.Yf az N.u IN nd