Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-08-17
WILLSHOW WAY
TO KILL PESTS
Demonstration in Southern
Dauphin Township Three
Days in September

In an effort to stamp out and con-
troll wheat moth and bean weevils in
Dauphin county, II. G.. Niesley, Agri-
cultural Extension Representative,
will hold demonstrations IN the
southern townships of Dauphln
county, September IL, IL ana lS'
The wheat moth came into Dauphm
county from Lancaster, and thus lar
has only been found in the southern
townships.
MANY thousands of dollars worth
of stored grains, beans and peas are
lost annually in Pennsylvania from
attacks of insects. This injury can
be largely prevented by fumigating
these products in accordance Will
the following dlrections:
Carbon bi-sulfide is the standard
material for fumigating. 1t is a col
orless LIQUID which vaporlzes upon
exposure to the air, giving Off gas
which is heavier than air. TINS gas
settles down into the grain, displac,,
Ing the air, and is fatal to all insect
life. without iniuring the grain TOT
either human consumption OF I seeu
purposes. 1t may be obtained from
druggists or wholesale drug dealers
at a price varying from about IL
cents to 80 cents per pound (plnD.
1t is essential that the grain or
other products to be fumigated be
placed in a tightly closed room, Din
or other receptacle. For small
amounts q barrel or tight box is
quite satisfactory. All cracks or
knot-holes in the floor or sides of
fhe room, bin or receptacle should
he covered over to prevent the gas
from escaping. If q barrel or other
vessel with an open top must pc
used, it can be made fairly tight by
placing blankets or canvas tgntlY
over the top, providing the bottom
and sides are alright. Fumigatlng IN
an open crib is waste of time ana
material.
Fumigate on Warm Day
Fumigate only on fairly warm
6ay when the temperature is 60
degrees f. or above. The insects are
more active on warm days, and are
more readily killed then, than on
cool days when they are not active
and breathe but little.
For about 1000 cubic. feet OF
space Cor 500 bu.) use from tiVe
to eight pounds Cor pints) of carbon
bi-sulfide, depending upon the tight
ness of the bin or receptacle. III IL
is not alright or practically so, or
If the temperature is below 90 de-
prees r. use g, much larger amount
of carbon bi-sulfide; there is no dan,
ger of using too much. For a tight
barrel an average dose of about one
half teacupful is sufficient If the
top of the barrel is tightly covered.
The carbon bi-sulfide may be
poured directly upon the grain or
seed without injuring it for planting
or seed purposes. For fumigating
large amounts of grain in the bin
saturate burlap sacks or cotton
waste and shove these into the grain
q foot or two below the surface; in
this way the gas will diffuse more
thoroughly through the grain. For
deep bins apply the material to the
center of the bin by pouring it down
through pipe which has been push
ed down into the grain. After the
material has been poured down into
the pipe pull out the pipe. Leave the
bin or receptacle closed for from
twenty-four to thirty-siX hours.
There is sometimes danger from the
infested grain heating after being
fumigated if the infestation has
been serious; therefore. shift the
grain by shoveling it over, and air
1t out.
Carbon bi-sulfide is highly inflam'
mable: therefore, make the applica-
ton in daylight and do not bring
fire or flame of any kind (such as
from a lighted match, pipe, cigar or
lantern) near the gas. AS little as
possible of the gas should be breath
ed because, although it is not neces-
sarily fatal to human life, 1t is apt
to nauseate one if very much of it
is inhaled.