Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-01-04

WORE OF WHITE M IN L TREES.
parent Methods of combating the
pests are explained in farmers bullc-
tin 7a9. recently issued by the United
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 gortions of buildings and 9th
er wooden structures i'll contact With |
the groVu,l. On recently cleared land
or amy Otiicr soil containing dccayinS
wood, however, they may prove de-
structive to growing plants. The in
Sects also eat into numerous articles
stored on damp wooden shelves or TN
der conditions otherwise attractive to
them. Articles attacked in this way
include books, documents. objects made
of ~pastchoard OF wood pulp, cloth,
clothing leather products and food
substances. Termites 1.-Two in colonies
in dead stumDS or i'll ether d~ccayin.
wood and enter tho woodwork of
ohittIlioo uiltcl SiCiIiN NtitIc l!lilDCI
is in contact with the soil or through
cracks in concrete. They often de-
strov large portions Of the interior of
pillars and other woodcn members
without giving any Indication of their
presence.
When torlnites are found to he pres
eEt it is usually through noticing the
| orn11oI nr,n,.uoran nf thn Hvt,r ,or
bers of the colony at swarming time
in the spring. The place of cmergence
should be noted, as this indicates the
approximate location of the infested
timbers. The presence OF small
branching tubes of earth OF stone OF
metal. serving as p~assageways 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. In 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 a protection.
since the concrete often cracks, and
the insects may gain entrance through
the creviccs. If 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 a curve to guard against
cracks. If buildings are constructed
without cellars the wooden flooring
should be raised we'll above the ground.
If termites are discovered in wood
work it 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.
Termires 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
SeClS. 1UF mower DeucneS
may be sawed off neal the ground and
made to rest on bricks or stone. If
the termites are III the soil they may
be killed in many instances by applica-
tons of carbon bisulphide. Plants may
be sprayed effectively with a 5 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 is recommended.
Nursery stock NAV he attacked by
termites if planted on recently cleared
land. Such locations therefore should
be avoided. Care should lie taken not
to permit tho roots OF the young trees
to dry out before planting, as such
weakened stock il liable to attack.
Damage to field crops by termites may
10 prevented by late fall blowing and
crop rotation.