Evening star., 1936-05-05
Defensive Measures
Should Be Taken Now
To Repel the Invaders
Thorough Cleaning, Brushing and Spraying
Of Articles Will Do Much to Keep
Pest at Bay.

the place wherein an entirely new
colony of young and vigorous moths
have decided to set up form of gov
ernment especially dedicated to eat
ing everything In sight.
When this stage is reached three
alternatives are open to you. First
just walk out Of the house, closing
the door firmly behind you. and set
out for parts unknown. When you
return-if you ever do-you will find
that the buffalos have done their job
completely and well-so we'll. in fact.
that they have moved out, too. there
being nothing left for them to eat.
Second-send post haste for the best
exterminating company you know of.
place your house in its hands and
move out for several days. with your
entire family. and the families OF the
neighbors living on each side of you,
while the gas warfare RACES through
out your lares and penates, and the
buffalo moth colony is moved down
right and left. Third-try to tackle
the situation yourself, with the help
of sprays, disinfectants, thorough
cleaning. milder gases and piece meal
fumigation.
THIS last suggestion is certainly the
one to try before you abandon
yourself to the first two. OF course,
if what the experts call the 'infesta-
ton has really assumed serious pro-
portions. complete house fumigation
is the only practical answer. But if
only one or two of the pests have
been observed. then local measures
can be taken with pretty good chances
of success.
1t is well to go carefully over every
bit of clothing in closets and in bu-
reau drawers-don't forget for mo-
ment that fabrics other than woolen
are in danger-and search carefully
for the culprit Hanging things out
in the open air is not particularly ad-
visable, because another Mrs. Buffalo
Moth might come sailing along, and,
unless the articles were carefully
brushed again before returning them
to the house, she might stowaway in
a pocket and sneak in past the au-
thoritieS.
There are many sprays on the mar
ket that deal sure death to the ordi-
nary type of moth-hoWever, not all
of these are efficacious against the
buffalos. Several which we have
tested really do the job, and we should |
be glad to give you the names if you
while they are out of the drawers and !
closets wash both of the latter with !
strong soap and water-paying espe-
cial attention to cracks In sidewalks |
and floors-and then spray all sur
faces thoroughly.
Spray the underside and top of
rugs-don't forget that stair carpet is
particularly vulnerable, and the noz-
zle of the spray should be introduced |
between the carpet and the stairs |
wherever possible, so that fumes may
penetrate to the under surface Mat |
tresses and box springs. upholstered !
furniture and pillows-all should be .
sprayed we'll, after a good brushing
or vacuum cleaning on both top and |
bottom surfaces. The moths love the |
underneath furniture and the |
stuffing Of mattresses, box springs and !
so on.
DUST, brush and spray all books
hese insects must be kin to book
worms. for they love papers. Desk
drawers should also be cleaned and
sprayed The linen closet deserves
the same attention. as does the inside
Of the silver chest and the back OF
any tapestries or wall hangings.
The matter of putting winter things
away for the summer. and the best
of keeping them away from
moth danger, will have to be taken
lp another day But just before space
writes finis to this effusion, here is
what your really active buffalo moth
ooks like. First, Madame, as I have
already described her, then a small
worm, very like an ordinary moth,
hen-ah hal enter the villain-a
mall black caterpillar affair, covered
With stiff black hairs, shaped like a
,aby tank and capable of fair speed.
lis appetite is incredible. his nerve
,raZen and his damage infinite.