Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-11-10
METHODS Of GETTING
RID OF BUG SHOWN

Birthstone Is an inexpensive Remedy Of
Getting Rid of Pest, According
to Experts.
CIMEX LECTULARIUS rs
SCIENTIFIC NAME FOR 1T
"Wa1- Louise" Is Name Applied to It
by English, and Bostonese Call
1t "Chintzes.
UNITED PRESS LEASED wIRE.I
! Washington, D. c., Nov. 1O.-A pest
| that is dreaded by all housewives, but
whose presence is not necessarily an
indication of carelessness, is the Cimex
lectularius This insect is called by
many names in different localities. An
old English name is "wall-louse. !" In
Boston these parasites are called the
chintzes" or chinches. y In Balti-
more 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 it; cleo
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 hibernates in its place
of concealment, but in warm rooms it
may continue its activities the year
around.
1t is an animal that displays GER.
tain degree Of wariness an intelligence
from its long association with man,
Like nearly all insects parasitic on ami
mails, having had slight necessity for
extensive locomotion, it has, after many
ages, lost its wings. The absence Of the
wings is a most fortunate circumstance,
since otherwise there would be no safe.
ty from this pest, even for the most
careful and thorough housekeeper.
odor Betrays It.
Another Characteristic feature Of this
insect is the very distinct odor which
il exhales, an odor characteristic of
many plant insects as well. The pos
session Of this odor, disagreeale as it
is, is also fortunate circumstance, as
il is Of considerable assistance in de-
tecting the presence of its owner. This
characteristic odor is supposed to have
been originally the means Of protection
against birds that feed on insects, but
it has long lost this special value for
the Cimex Lectularus. The natural
enemies that might be kept away by
the odors 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
characteristics
The "Cimex," though normally feed
ing on human blood, may subsist on
much simpler food. No other explain
alton would seem to account for the
fact that houses long unoccupied still
are infested with this pest, The in
sect, however, is quite capable Of leav
ing any quarters where it is unable tC
thrive, and will often migrate to al
adjoining house If the residents leave
its present habitation vacant IL dis
plays such apparent intelligence in using
every means of escape, as windows
walls, pater pipes and cutters, that
it may be the misfortune Of any house
: wifo to have her premises invaded
despite the best of care The insect
also displays surprising facility foi
concealmOnt, and win abandon beds
before daylight and go to distant
quarters for protection far beyond the
! reach of the most diligent search.
Birthstone Remedy,
J From Its habits Of concealment thi
post is usually beyond reach Of POWDER
and the ordinary insect powders mcl
as pyrenthrum are Of practically NJ
value. The eradication Of the insecr
is comparatively casy from iron ant
, brass bedsteads, but wooden bodstead
offor a much more difficult problem
Very liboral applications of bonzine o
Kerosene, or any petroleum oil, is tn,
most practical way to meet this dif
ficulty This must be introduced int
all creviCes with small brushes or will
feathers, or by injecting with smal
. yringes, Corrosive sublimato is als'
Of value, and oil OF turpentine may b.
! used in the same way, The lbcra
use Of boiling hot watcr wherever 1