The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-07-06
A STUDY OF INSECTS Is
NECESSARY FOR CONTROL
Bugs Becoming More Numerous
Each Year and Are Mans Com
DetitOr In Struggle For
Existence
COUNTY AGENT ADVISES

COUNTY AGENT ADVISES
Insects are becoming more numer-
Gus from year to year and therefore
it is Of the greatest Importance for all
peop.e to make a study Of them if eff
fectve control is to be accomplished
advises John H. Carter, County Agent.
at is important that town and ur-
ban people be familiar with insects
and their habits as we'll as producers
of raw materials" he continued.
THE insect inhabitation has become
mans greatest competitor in the strug-
gle Tor existence. They destroy crops
and buildings, kill animals and ac-
tually feed on the human race. They
not only feed on these things, but
spread diseases and germs which
threaten to destroy plant and animal
life. While insects are one of mans
greatest enemies there are, however,
many insects which are beneficial, be-
cause they are parasitic in nature de-
stroying many Of the pests that would
otherwise have to be destroyed by
man. Therefore it is important that
before an effective control can be es-
tablished for any insects it is neces-
sary to know the type of insect and
how it feeds. Insects are all divided
under two classes: chewing and suck
ing.
"The chewing insect lives by eating
or chewing up the parts from which
its food is derived. Therefore to con-
troll this type of insect it is necessary
to use a poisonous spray or dust. This
brings in another problem, because
many poisonous sprays or dusts are
injurious to certain plants. Therefore,
to bring about efficient control it is
necessary to contact specialists deter
mining the right kind of material to
use for each particular crop. Some OF
the poisonous sprays are lead arsen-
at, calcium arsenate and many other
commercial preparations which are
always marked poison.
"The sucking insect does not che"
the plants or whatever it feeds on. 1t
sucks the juices from plants or blood
from animals. Therefore, it would not
eat any poisonous spray that might
be applied. To control this insect it IS
necessary to use what is called a con-
tact spray. That is some kind OF ma
terial that will kill the insect when it
comes in contact with it. Some Of the
contact sprays are red arrow, nicotine
sulphate, evergreen and a derris spray
The derris is on the market today in
the form of rotenone.
"From the above it is easily under
stood why it is necessary to be tamll-
lar with insects if money and time
spent is to accomplish results. At the
present time the County Agent is hav-
ing more inquiries as to control OF the
Mexican bean beetle and other garden
insects. Rather than attempting to use
spray of different strength for many
garden plants, it is recommended that
a spray of 4 to So rotenone be used
for all plants spraying at about ter
days interval.
ITO control the Mexican bean beetle
it requires a most thorough job OF
spraying. That is the beans must be
sprayed all over, being sure to give
the underside Of the leaves gooc
coating.
For cucumbers it is important thai
the vines and runners be sprayed
as well as the leaves. The small white
worms or borers found in the cucum
Der which causes it to wilt is the lar
vac stage of the cucumber beetle. I'
control this worm it is necessary u
prevent the beetles from appearing
ITO control the cut worms and slug!
or snails it is necessary to use poison
bran bait. This is made by one poun:
Of bran, three ounces Of calcium ARISEN
at four tablespoons of syrup or molaS
es, 1l2 pints of water. 1t is lmportan
that this be thoroughly mixed as eaci
particle of bran must carry some o
the poison to get a good kill. The bal
when finished should make a goo'
crumbly mass. This material should D
applied about the base OF the plant
late in the evening, since both fee
during the night"
There are many other insects an
methods of control, and should any
one have any problem of controlling
them specific recommendations can D
obtained from the County Agent
office.
DxnannhInOG