The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1916-11-30
WORK OF WHITE ANTS IN WALNUT TREES.

WORK OF WHITE ANTS IN WALNUT TREES
parent. Methods of combating the
pests are explained In farmers bulle-
tin T59. recently issued by the United
States Department OF agriculture.
The insects, which are not ants and
only specifically resemble them. pri-
marily attack woodwork and cause
greatest damage by weakening or de
stroying portions OF buildings and 9th.
er wooden structures In contact with
the ground. ON recently cleared land
or any other soil containing decaying
wood. however, they may prove de-
structive to growing plants. The in
sects also eat into numerous articles
stored on damp wooden shelves or un.
der conditions otherwise attractive to
them. Articles attacked In this way
include books. documents, objects made
Of pasteboard or wood pulp. cloth,
clothing leather products and foed
substances. Termites live In G. .unies
In dead stumps or In other decaying
wood and enter the woodwork Of
buildings underground where timber
is In contact with the soil or through
cracks In concrete. They often de-
stroy large portions Of the interior OF
pillars and other wooden members
without giving any indication Of their
presence.
When termites are found To be pres
ent 1t is usually through noticing the
annual emcrgence of the flying mem
bers Of the colony at swarming time
In the spring The place OF emergence
should be noted, as this indicates the
approximate location of the infested
timbers. The presence OF small
branching tubes OF earth on stone or
metal. serving as passagewayS 10
wood, may Ice another indication that
termites are ut work In building.
Either preventive or combative meas
ures may be taken against the inroads
OF termites In all new building OPP
eratlons care should be taken that no
untreated timber is In contact with
the ground or Is set In wet concrete
The latter condition Is not n protection
since the concrete often cracks. and
lhc iiHN'AH tiHl Sdll fHlldH'N tuI'h|h
the crcvices. II wood must be placed
h contact with the earth. only timber
treated with some such substance as
coal tar creosote should he used Gel
lar floors OF concrete should join the
walls I'm curve 10 guard against
cracks IL buildings are constructed
without cellars the wooden flooring
should be raised well above the ground.
If termites are discovered I'm wood
work II will be necessary usually to re
move the damaged timbers and replace
them by stone or brick work or treated
wood. The ground at the approximate
entrance passage OF the insects and
any earth tubes discovered should be
drenched with kerosene oil, Infested
timbers also may be drenched with the
oil.
Termltes are especially likely 70 Ut
tack the wood Of greenhouses. where
warmth and moisture are the rule.
Steps similar to those described for
other buildings should be adopted to
rid infested greenhouses of the in
sects Supports for flower benches
may be sawed or near the ground and
made 10 rest on bricks or stone. lf
the termltes are In the soil they may
be killed In many instances by appllca
tons Of carbon bisulphide. Plants may
be sprayed effectively with > per
cent solution of kerosene emulsion. In
order TO prevent attacks by termites on
living trees the tree surgery method
OF treating sears and dead limbs and
spots Is recommended.
Nursery stock may be attacked by
termltes IL planted ON recently cleared
land. Such locations therefore should
be avoided. Care should be taken not
10 permit the roots Of the young trees
30 dry out before planting. M such
weakened stock Is liable 10 attack,
Damage 10 field crops by termites may
be prevented hy late fall blowing ard
srop rotation.