Liquids are necessary, powders are practically useless, for
the eggs are deeply concealed. Whatever liquid is used,
it should be poured into holes or cracks and crevices, or
injected from a spring-bottom oil-can or a syringe.
The inflammation consequent upon the bite of Cimex may
be relieved by bathing with ammonia or a solution of cook-
ing soda. Insect powder between the sheets of an infested
bed may make sleep possible until morning permits the vig-
orous measures necessary for the extermination of the pest.
Preventive Measures. — Every possible precaution that
shall prevent the entrance of the insect into the house on
clothing, furniture, baggage, etc. ; cleanness everywhere,
especially clean bedsteads and bedding; metal bedsteads,
wire mattresses ; daily watchfulness as spring ap^Droaches.
Remedies. — Boiling water, ice- water, kerosene, naphtha,
corrosive sublimate, varnish, insect powder.
Fleas
Diptera — Pulicidae — Pulex serraficeps and Others. — The
flea, which often becomes a household pest, is brought in
chiefly by the pet cat or dog. The insects become dislodged
from the hairs by the movements of the animal, and find
new lodging places in cracks of floors or in meshes of
carpets. Thence they jump upon the ankles of persons
who disturb them by walking over their retreats.
The metamorphosis of the flea is indirect. The adult is
a small, shiny, black insect, with a plump body encased in
hard, tough, segmented scales. The neck tapers toward the
head, which is small and furnished with a hard helmet
fringed with bristles. The legs are long, and the two seg-
338 HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
nients nearest tlie body enormously developed for leaping.
The antennae are short and stout.
The egg is a tiny, smooth and shining, white, oval body
and normally is laid among the hairs of the cat or dog,
not attached to them. The eggs hatch in about two days,
and the larvae, long, slender, caterpillar-like bodies, are
very active, and live in what seem to be absolutely dry
places. The sweepings of a room have been used to rear
the young larvae, in which case dust and their own excre-
ment furnished sufficient food.
An infested pet animal may drop eggs enough to give rise
to a small army of adults, if they are left undisturbed in
carpeted rooms. In rooms constantly used, the ordinary
sweeping will usually either remove the eggs or prevent
their hatching.
The pet dog or cat should, therefore, be cared for first.
There will then be little further trouble with Pulex serrati-
ceps; although it is wise to let the pets have their special
mat or cloth to lie upon, which may then be brushed often
over the fire.
Floor cracks should be filled with plaster of Paris, that dust
cannot collect and furnish food for this or other insects.
The ordinary insect remedies are of little use with this
tiny athlete, robed in his black coat of mail, who is able to
live upon dust, and who is said to be able to jump two hun-
dred times its own height. If once they get a foothold,
only strenuous methods are of any avail. Carpets must be
taken up, steamed, or naphtha cleansed. Floors should be
washed in hot soap-suds. Even if the carpet must be relaid,
a thin coat of paint on the floor might prove an economical
investment.
Page 165
Presented as published in 1900. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Liquids are necessary, powders are practically useless, for the eggs are deeply concealed. Whatever liquid is used, it should be poured into holes or cracks and crevices, or injected from a spring-bottom oil-can or a syringe.
The inflammation consequent upon the bite of Cimex may be relieved by bathing with ammonia or a solution of cooking soda. Insect powder between the sheets of an infested bed may make sleep possible until morning permits the vigorous measures necessary for the extermination of the pest.
Preventive Measures. — Every possible precaution that shall prevent the entrance of the insect into the house on clothing, furniture, baggage, etc. ; cleanness everywhere, especially clean bedsteads and bedding; metal bedsteads, wire mattresses ; daily watchfulness as spring approaches.
Remedies. — Boiling water, ice- water, kerosene, naphtha, corrosive sublimate, varnish, insect powder.
Fleas
Diptera — Pulicidae — Pulex serraficeps and Others. — The
flea, which often becomes a household pest, is brought in chiefly by the pet cat or dog. The insects become dislodged from the hairs by the movements of the animal, and find new lodging places in cracks of floors or in meshes of carpets. Thence they jump upon the ankles of persons who disturb them by walking over their retreats.
The metamorphosis of the flea is indirect. The adult is a small, shiny, black insect, with a plump body encased in hard, tough, segmented scales. The neck tapers toward the head, which is small and furnished with a hard helmet fringed with bristles. The legs are long, and the two seg-
nients nearest tlie body enormously developed for leaping. The antennae are short and stout.
The egg is a tiny, smooth and shining, white, oval body and normally is laid among the hairs of the cat or dog, not attached to them. The eggs hatch in about two days, and the larvae, long, slender, caterpillar-like bodies, are very active, and live in what seem to be absolutely dry places. The sweepings of a room have been used to rear the young larvae, in which case dust and their own excrement furnished sufficient food.
An infested pet animal may drop eggs enough to give rise to a small army of adults, if they are left undisturbed in carpeted rooms. In rooms constantly used, the ordinary sweeping will usually either remove the eggs or prevent their hatching.
The pet dog or cat should, therefore, be cared for first. There will then be little further trouble with Pulex serraticeps; although it is wise to let the pets have their special mat or cloth to lie upon, which may then be brushed often over the fire.
Floor cracks should be filled with plaster of Paris, that dust cannot collect and furnish food for this or other insects.
The ordinary insect remedies are of little use with this tiny athlete, robed in his black coat of mail, who is able to live upon dust, and who is said to be able to jump two hundred times its own height. If once they get a foothold, only strenuous methods are of any avail. Carpets must be taken up, steamed, or naphtha cleansed. Floors should be washed in hot soap-suds. Even if the carpet must be relaid, a thin coat of paint on the floor might prove an economical investment.