In different parts of the country different species are
more or less troublesome ; but the tiny red ant is the one
which seems to be thoroughly doinestic in its tastes and
habits. Besides this species a small and a large black ant
are often troublesome in pantries and storerooms. The red
ant is so tiny and agile that its destruction is difficult.
None of the ants are destructive in so many ways or to
so great a degree as other household pests, but they annoy
by getting into food supplies and cooked food, especially
the fats, sugars, and sweet liquids. The most distinctive
characteristic of the ants is the constriction at the " waist,"
that is, between the second and last segments of the body.
This enables the abdomen to be raised, lowered, or moved
very quickly and forcibly. The wasp-like waist is seen oc-
casionally on so-called higher animals to whom it does not
properly belong. The metamorphosis is indirect, and most
children are familiar with ants' larvee and pupse, which they
wrongly call "ants' eggs." The real eggs are very small,
and would not attract the attention of a casual observer
even when visible to the unaided eye.
Ants are creatures wonderfully specialized according to
work and form. Some have fully developed wings, some
HOUSEHOLD PESTS 345
have only the ruelimeiits, while others bear no trace of such
appendages. Most of the ants found in the house are the
" workers," and do not have wings.
The antemite are extremely delicate, slightly swollen at
their tip, and seldom quiet. The mouth parts are formed
for piercing the food substance and for drawing from it
the liquid food.
The eggs are laid in enormous numbers and in several
batches. The nests or formicaries hold large colonies
made up of all forms so that they furnish most interesting
and instructive objects for study. The adult form, how-
ever, is the harmful one.
To prevent attacks from ants, all fats and sweets should
be tightly covered, — wooden buckets are not proof against
them. Great care is necessary not to leave any grains of
sugar or crumbs of food on shelves or floors. Cleanness
and protection of all available food supplies are the first
requisites for freedom from the ravages of any of these
species.
Both of the black species usually establish their colonies
out-of-doors, — the smaller one under stones in the yards or
in holes in the fields, the larger one under the pavements.
Unless the colonies are destroyed, the relief given by all
other measures will be only temporary, for the females
seldom leave the nests, and they start many colonies dur-
ing one season.
The little red ant (Monomorium pharaonis) has its nest
in the walls beneath the floors or in cracks behind the wood-
work of the house. Thence the workers sally forth for
supplies. When these are found, the news is quickly car-
ried to the colony and swarms issue forth to feed and for-
age. By watching their movements the nests may often'
be located and destroyed by pouring in kerosene, or car-
bolic acid, or a boiling hot, strong solution of alum. Some-
346 HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE
times it is necessary to take up boards in the flooring. In
some way the colonies should be located, if any one of these
forms becomes a pest. They are persistent in retaining
their homes, and the housewife must be as persistent as
they are, if she hopes to keep them from the house or its
vicinity.
Page 169
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
In different parts of the country different species are more or less troublesome ; but the tiny red ant is the one which seems to be thoroughly domestic in its tastes and habits. Besides this species a small and a large black ant are often troublesome in pantries and storerooms. The red ant is so tiny and agile that its destruction is difficult. None of the ants are destructive in so many ways or to so great a degree as other household pests, but they annoy by getting into food supplies and cooked food, especially the fats, sugars, and sweet liquids. The most distinctive characteristic of the ants is the constriction at the " waist," that is, between the second and last segments of the body. This enables the abdomen to be raised, lowered, or moved very quickly and forcibly. The wasp-like waist is seen occasionally on so-called higher animals to whom it does not properly belong. The metamorphosis is indirect, and most children are familiar with ants' larvee and pupse, which they wrongly call "ants' eggs." The real eggs are very small, and would not attract the attention of a casual observer even when visible to the unaided eye.
Ants are creatures wonderfully specialized according to work and form. Some have fully developed wings, some
have only the rudiments, while others bear no trace of such appendages. Most of the ants found in the house are the " workers," and do not have wings.
The antennae are extremely delicate, slightly swollen at their tip, and seldom quiet. The mouth parts are formed for piercing the food substance and for drawing from it the liquid food.
The eggs are laid in enormous numbers and in several batches. The nests or formicaries hold large colonies made up of all forms so that they furnish most interesting and instructive objects for study. The adult form, however, is the harmful one.
To prevent attacks from ants, all fats and sweets should be tightly covered, — wooden buckets are not proof against them. Great care is necessary not to leave any grains of sugar or crumbs of food on shelves or floors. Cleanness and protection of all available food supplies are the first requisites for freedom from the ravages of any of these species.
Both of the black species usually establish their colonies out-of-doors, — the smaller one under stones in the yards or in holes in the fields, the larger one under the pavements. Unless the colonies are destroyed, the relief given by all other measures will be only temporary, for the females seldom leave the nests, and they start many colonies during one season.
The little red ant (Monomorium pharaonis) has its nest in the walls beneath the floors or in cracks behind the woodwork of the house. Thence the workers sally forth for supplies. When these are found, the news is quickly carried to the colony and swarms issue forth to feed and forage. By watching their movements the nests may often' be located and destroyed by pouring in kerosene, or carbolic acid, or a boiling hot, strong solution of alum. Some-
times it is necessary to take up boards in the flooring. In some way the colonies should be located, if any one of these forms becomes a pest. They are persistent in retaining their homes, and the housewife must be as persistent as they are, if she hopes to keep them from the house or its vicinity.