The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-12-28
ANT is SERIOUS PEST
Insect introduced Into This C0un-
try From Brazil.
In Dwellings and Stores Food Sup
plies Are Attacked and Outdoors
Aphids and Mealy Bugs Are
Given Protection.

prepared by the United States Depart
mcnt Of Agrlculture.)
Both indoors and out the Argentine
ant Is becoming serious pest in the
South, according to cntOmologists OF
the United States department Of ag-
riculturc. In dwellings and stores the
pests are attacking food supplies, and
out-of-doors they are protecting aphids
and mealy bugs, which infcst cotton,
corn and sugarcnnc plants. Depart
ment Bulletin No. 3T7, lust Issued,
suggests control measures for the
ants.
1t Is practically certain, states the
bulletin, that the Argentine ant was
introduced into this country at New
Orleans in ships from Brazilian ports.
1t was first observed In that city In
1891, and at present 1t is distributed
throughout portions Of nine southern
states. There are three forms Of the
Argentine ant-thc worker, the drone
and the queen-all Of dark-brown
color. The worker Is about one-tenth
inch In length, the male is somewhat
larger and has wings, while the queen
is nearly three times as large as tho
worker.
Because Of Its small size and incon-
spicuous color the worker Is able to
Invade every part Of ordinary build
ings Any exposed food or food refuse
attracts the workers, and the bulletin
states that residents and keepers of
grocery stores, meat markets, confec-
tioneries, etc., must either suffer con-
slderably or almost constantly use pol
son or barriers Of various kinds. The
farmer, nurseryman, and truck grower
find scale insects and aphids more
troublesome because Of the protection
the ant gives to insects deposlting
honeydew.
Control Measures.
Three methods Of controlling the In
sect are discussed In the bulletin
the uso of barriers, poisons and traps.
Ant Barriers.--In grossly infested
houses much relief may be secured
by isolnting tables, refrigerators,
safes, beds, etc, with blchloride of
mercury tape, but extreme care should
be taken in using this poison. Placing
the legs of articles Of furniture In
saucers filed with moth balls or coal
oils forms Il simple and efficient bar
rier. Trees, beehive stands and other
outdoor objects may be isolated with
the sticky substance used on fly paper
but made thinner than usual If s per
cent Of carbolized oil be added, the
durability of the bands Will be consld-
erably increased.
Ant Poisons.--Str0ng antImony or
arseniCal sirupS. Il number Of which
are sold by druggists In infested ter
rltories, are used to keep the nnts
from buildings. They give quick relief
for short periods, but are not n factor
in the reduction OF the infeStatiOn.
The only effective poiSons yet known
lor permanent control are posoned
Sirups. An nrscncal sirllp Is recon-
lhchded In the bulletin which will NOT
Spoii and which is superior to any
other formula vet tested on acco,,nt
or It's stability ut high temperatures.
lr'cdOn from crySaliZution, and CON
tinued attractivcncss.
lrapping Ants.-Ants NAV bo
trapped by providing boxes OF dccov.
ing vegetation in the winter. Tho
colonies will move into these boxes
ana the ants may then be killed with
carbon bisulphidc.