HOUSEHOLD PESTS AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9040, 19 November 1892, Page 3 (Supplement)

HOUSEHOLD PESTS AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM.

Cockroaches and blackbeetles, which infest the lower regions of many houses in enormous numbers, are extremely objeotionable pests, and sometimes difficult to get rid of. They increase and multiply in any place where they can get warmth. Cockroaches will eat away plaster, and often make their way into a house between the flooring and skirting boards. To prevent these insects coming, all such crevices and holes should be carefully stopped up early in the spring. If any intruders make their nppearance, ground borax should be plentifully spread round the room and in their haunts. Cockroaches have a great antipathy to borax, and its continued use will effectually drive them away. It also has the advantage of being harmless to domestic animals. Insect powder well sprinkled about is also useful, but as cockroaches have often to swallow a great deal before it proves fatal any victims found afterwards should be swept up and burnt. Several kiuds of traps may be utilisod, bub as a rule they are not very successful for any length of time. Mice often give trouble and do considerable damage when they invade a house. When there are dogs or other household pets about, one of the safest ways of exterminating them is to first lay down some oatmeal mixed with sugar, which will be found to have disappeared by the morning. Then, after this has been done for several nights, mix also a fair quantity of plaster of Paris with the oatmeal and sugar, which will prove too indigestible for Mr. Mouse, and- after one meal of the compound he will not require another. Of poisons, phosphorus paste is probably the safest to use. It should po spread on small pieces of cheese or bread and sugar, and placed about the rooms the mice frequent. A good trap is also effective : and we must nob forget the valuable assistance that can be rendered by a good cat, who will always scare the enemy if he doesn't always catch him. Pleas are usually brought into a house by dogs, and the best method of getting rid of them is with the aid of good pyrethrum powder, which when sprinkled about will soon drive them away. All beds constructed of wood should be taken to pieces at least twice a year, and the woodwork well brushed over with a solution of bichloride of mercury (1 cent.), which will destroy all germs of insect life, and is a safe and wise precaution. Fortunately we are not much troubled in Great Britain with that irritating and active little pest, the mosquito ; but a hint or two how to circumvent her artful little ways (for it is the female mosquito who thirsts for human gore) may be of use to those who travel in warmer climates. The male is said to be satisfied with vegetable juices, and doos not accompany his spouse on her bloodthirsty forays. Would that we could persuade her to remain with him I The bent preventive against the incursions of this little pest is to sponge over those parts of the body exposed with five per cent, solution of carbolic acid before retiring to rest. This is an excellent plan, and renders one almost proof against attack. A small quantity of carbolic acid or powder evaporiscd in the apartments they frequent will also drive them away, and a free use of insect powder is another excellent method of expelling the invader.