The citizen., 1919-05-01
HOME DEPARTMENT
by Miss Margaret Dizney Director Home

young anu tue queen anu Hbnt lne
battles. The queen lays the eggs,
but is in no sense the ruler. There
are more than two thousand species
Of ants. all Of which live in commu-
mites and show truly communal
life.
The AMI nest or farmicary Is with
most species Of ants, built UNDER
ground and there are special cham
hers or special rooms used for cer-
tain purposes. as nurse rooms and
food storage rooms.
The ants food is mostly obtained
from animal and vegetable sub
stances. but their favoritc food IT,
the honey dew.
The so-called "ant-cggs," the lit
tie oval maSses which we often
see carried in the mouths Of ants.
in and out Of an ants nest are not
eggs. but are the pupa, which are
being brought in and out 10 enjoy
the warmth and lights OF the sun.
or being taken back into the mes.
afterward.
The eggs soon become larvae,
small. soft and extremely fragile
objects which need dainty handling
10 nurse into vigorous life. They
grow rapidly. The proportioning
OF food to the changing grades OF
age and strength requires such
care that we cannot explain.
When the young have developed
and are able 10 get food for them
selves. the old ones take their leave
and they have a marriage tour and
go find another or make another
nest.
The males are phenomenally
stupid they are unable TO distin-
guish friends from foes. or 10 find
their way back when they have
wandered from their nest.
Work, work. ceasclcss work. on
their endless round Of duty. is their
lot. varied only by scant periods for
eating. for sleep. for personal cleans
ing and occasional mutual shampoo
ing. The amusement Of the ant
communities. such as they are. are
limited TO the dependent leisure
classes.
Among the many different kinds
Of ants. some are dangerous. one
particularly is the argentine ant.
This ant destroys lots Of other in
sccts and Injuries many plants.
Ants do not thrive in all coun-
tries: Ireland is entirely destitute
Of ants. Ants thrive in a mild. tenn
Ierate climate and on abundant
vegetation. A consideration OF
such facts regarding where ants
are numerous. indicate that moist,
cloudy. cool. temperate climates are
very unfavorable 10 ants.
To destroy ant nests. first locate
the nest by sprinkling coarse sugar
where the ants can find IL. Each
ant will take up load Of this and
go directly 10 the nest. The red
ants build their nests in the walls,
or floors Of houses. After one has
lcsated their nests. inject Kerosene
or bisulphide Of carbon into the
opening. Sometimes il is necessary
to take up a few boards TO find
their nests.
n they are running 10 the house.
scatter snuf in their runways, or
fresh sour leaves. or flowers Of sui
phur, or red pepper or powdered
borax.
n they are in the house or shelves
or drawers, scrub shelves with car
bolic soap. Or inject carbolic acid
or gasoline in the creyices. To trap
ants. place near their runs a piece
OF raw meat or bread. moistened
with molasses. on board. and when
they have swarmed on the bread.
go and burn the board and all. Or.
dip good-sized sponge in solu-
tion OF borax. and wiring out the
sponge nearly dry. and lay in their
path. Have ready another sponge
and when they have gathered on
the first, go burn IL and lay the
other one down. In this way. a
colony will soon be destroyed and
if any get Oft. the borax will XIII