The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-10-20
HOW ---
TO Destroy Troublesome Insect
Pests In Your Home

@OAGHES.-Coal oil is one Of the
II best agents for the destruction
IN of reaches and their eggs. 1t
should be sprayed freely by
means of a machine oil can into the
cracks and crevices Of the floors and
other woodwork where they breed.
Powdered bOraX mixed with little
sugar is also a good remedy, but in the
presence of other food borax is not
very effective. 1t is suggested that
cracks and creyices, which are their
hiding places, be closed up with putty
or paint. Since these pests hide by
day and go forth at night to feed, 1t is
essential that all foodstuffs be kept
under cover and crumbs carefully
swept from the floor The kitchen sink
should be kept scrupulously clean.
while the kitchen closets should be
thoroughly scrubbed from time to time.
Ants.-These little busy workers may
readily invade the home. They can
easily be destroyed by tracing them to
their nests and pouring into them
gasoline, benzine or coal oil. When
using these substances remember that
they are highly inhammable.
Fleas.-Human tleas, dog fieas and
cat feas are familiar household pests,
the latter being the most prevalent. ,
The larvae or embryo young of tieas
live in the interstices Of carpets, mat
tings and in the corners and cracks of
floors. Since cats and dogs generality
bring these pests into the home, carel
should be taken that these animals bel
kept thoroughly clean. Special rugsl
should be provided for them to sleepl
upon and the dust from the rugs burn
ed. Hot water, soap and the scrub
brush are very effective in destroying
the pests which hide in the crevices
of the floors Here again gasoline is
one of the best destructive agents. Car
pets and heavy draperies should be dis
pensed with during the warm weather.
Bedbugs.-Their presence does not
always reflect upon the housewife, as
they may be found in very carefully
kept homes. A good way to destroy
them is to spray their hiding places
with a solution of corrosive sublimate
Zone ounce to Il pint of alcohol. This
substance is poisonous and should be
so marked. Gasoline is one of the most
efficient agents used in the eXtermina-
ton of the bedbug and should be
sprayed freely in cracks and crevices
with machine oil can. Turpentine
and kerosene are less efficient and
leave oily stains after their use.
Moths.-These are very destructive
in clothes when not properly protected.
Furs and woolens are particularly sus-
ceptible to the influence Of moths.
Thoroughly brush and clean the
clothes before they are put away for
| the summer Pack them in large pa
per bags or boxes, which should be
made air tight by sealing the edges
with strips of paper. Wardrobes
should be free Of dust and thoroughly
cleaned. Moth preventive or tar balls
should be freely distributed in trunks,
closets and in the pockets of clothes.
1t is also a good plan to unpack these
clothes occasionally during the sum-
mer and give them an adequate airing
in the sun.
Flies.-Keep the garbage pail cover,
ed tightly. Fly paper freely distributed
will be a great help in destroying them
A solution of potassium bichromate
| Zone teaspOonful to two ounces of sug-
ared water) or a few drops of for
malin in sweetened water will kill flies
when placed where they can drink.
squitoes.-Burning pyrethrum
powder or sulphur will stupefy them.
They then fall to the floor and can be
burned with the sweepings. Do not al
| low any water to accumulate in barrels,
pans, buckets, on the roof Of any part
of the house, as mosquitoes breed
readily in standing water.