The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1916-12-29

parent. Methods Of combating the
pests are explained In farmers bulls-
tin 758. recently issued by the United
States department Of agriculture.
The insects. which are not ants ana
only specifically resemble them, pri-
marily attack woodwork and cause
greatest damage by weakening or de-
stroying portions Of buildings and 9TH
or 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 I'M
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 food
substances. Termites live I'm colonies
In dead stumps or I'm other decaytng
wood and enter the woodwork Of
buildings underground where timber
n 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 It IL usually through noticing the
annual emergence OF the flying men,
beers 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 a. passageways to
wood, may be another indication that
termites are at work In a building.
Either preventive or combative meas
ures may be taken against the inroads
Of termites. 10 all new building op-
erations 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 protection,
since the concrete often cracks, and
the insects may gain entrance through
the crevices. II wood must be placed
In contact with the earth. only timber
treated with some such substance as
coal tar creosote should be used. Gel
lar floors Of concrete should Join the
walls In curve to guard against
cracks. If buildings are constructed
without cellars the wooden flooring
should be raised well above the ground
II termites are discovered in wood
work II will be necessary usually to re-
move the damaged hmbers 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 drencbed with the
oil.
Termites are especially likely to at
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 OFF near the ground and
made to rest on bricks or stone. If
the termltes are In the soil they may
be killed In many instances by applica-
lions of carbon blsulphide. 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 scars and dead limbs and
spots IL recommended.
Nursery stock may be attacked by
termites II planted on recently cleared
land. Such locations therefore should
be avoided. Care should be taken not
to permit the roots Of the young trees
10 dry out before planting, as such
weakened stock is liable to attack.
Damage to field crops by termites may
be prevented by late fall blowing and
srOp rotation.