The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-19
Bar Unvelcone
| n sic c t
Chest
BY MRS. CHRISTINE FREDERICK
fHousehold Efficiency Expert.)

tHousehold Efficiency Expert.)
While they my not have written
their names on te hotel registers, some
OF the notables returning from south
ern Chimes areMr. and Mrs. Clothes
Moth, Mr.. Carft Beetle and family !;
Miss Ant, andthe well known Cock
chafers of Crotn-on- Hudson and other
watering place. After an absence
during the winbr months they are plan
ming great ACTIVITY for the spring sea
son now ushfed in with the warm
weather and kpect to be etdeenniatrT
guests for belonged stay in the north.
Even thoun they may pass the CEN
sor. they automatically befrejected by
the deputy sousewife as undesirable
and classed by her as insect pests
against whiq she must wage vigorous
campaign. Tor it is at just this season
that IAN once of prevention is worth
pound Of cure" and the time to
prevent deSruction Of clothing or dam
age to flof coverings, foods and even
books. is riht now.
Any ono understanding the changes
IN insect He will realize that it ID the
egg or th wormlike larva on which
the housefife must focus her attention.
For 1t isthe intermediate stage. gem
orally inlappearance worm, which
does thebiting or chewing so destruc-
tive to extiles, paper and coverings.
And he&, darkness and undisturbed
peace ar the conditions which let them
thrive aid flourish Ergo, try the re-
verse tqbanish them, and trse cold air,
bright hnlight and vigorous shaking as
chief afes in routing the enemy
IN rsr- A,fu %
the faniliar clothes moth, the carpet
beetle, bften called Buffalo Moth" and
the sifer fish, which ruins not only
starchh clothing but also. papers and
any Substance containing starch or glue.
The dothes moth is so familiar as to
need 10 description other than to re-
call hat the larva which does the BIT
ing y a dull white caterpillar and is
never seen free from its light. brown
movable case or jacket. The carpet
beetl has very active brown larva
abow a quarter of an inch long, COW
cred all over with stiff brown hairs,
lonf at the sides and ends. The habit
is p feed under carpets, following the,
line of a floor crack and cutting long
slit in the rug. s.e~
The silver fish insect has a peculiar
sealy, glistening body. together with
eery rapid movements, so that it is
often difficult to locate it.-It. has five
antenrae or hairs extending from the
carTot-shaped body, and its affection
TOR books, paper and substances con-
tanning glue or starch make it also q
dangerous insect. The remedy for these
three insects Is sunlight, moving ar
ticles or clothing into the light and the
cold air, taking up the carpet, or COW
ering and beating and exposing to ven
tilation, also filling the cracks of the
floor with paste filler and vanishing
before laying down the coverings.
Ants, whether, black, red Sor brown,
begin their travels into the house with
the advent of warm days, Since all
these visitors have a sweet tooth the
best way ID to remove all sugary SUBJ
stances from their reach and put in
tin or glass containers and also to trap
them by means of sweet bait. For
example, when they become numerous
and troublesome, soak sponge in
sugar syrup and lay in small saucer
on the floor, When the ants flock to
it and are in the sponge drop it in boil
ing water aud repeat the bait. Lift the
legs of all food storage tables or CUP
bD0A01 AAAeS a EAtAlSt VI 11A41AA 7uAaA1 COn-
tanning water and the ants, will not, be
able to climb up the legs. Camphor is
another means of preventing them, since
they particularly dislike it's odor Nests
Of ants outdoors may be best destroyed
by pouring an ounce or two of bisul-
phide of carbon into the nest in hole
made with a stick and. covering the
hole Immediately, which will suffocate
the colony.
All reaches, water bugs and members
Of this group thrive in damp places and
where food is plentiful. The methods
Of extermination are to reduce the damp
by increased sunlight and to take care
that no food particles are scattered
about. A phosphorus paste is good
remedy and If they are numerous fumi-
CATION by means of a sulphur or
candle is the only sure
cure.
Insects preferring mattresses and
tufted and upholstered retreats can be
destroyed by benzine or gasoline sprayed
carefully on their surface, being sure
10 take every precaution against fire. |
Generally their main source or habitat
Is found in cracks in wood since these
Insects naturally come from lumber and
The only reason they are present in beds
is because the wood has been improper
y cured.