CARPET BEETLE OR "BIIFFALO MOTH" The destructive habits of these common and injurious pests are well known. The mischief is done by this insect in its larval stage, when it feeds upon woolen goods, particu larly carpets. It is then rather less than a fourth of an inch in length, and is covered with stiff brown hair. It is often discovered working about the edges of carpets making irregu lar holes or following the line of is floor crack, and thus cutting the car pet in a long slit. It is most com mon in the northern and eastern por tions of the United States, and most active in the summer months, al though in well-heated houses it may continue its depredations the year round. The adult insect is a black and white beetle, having a red stripe down its back. It is rather less than one fourth of an inch in length.
The carpet beetle is rarely found in houses having polished floors with rugs, straw mattings, or oilcloth as floor coverings, and this fact suggests the most effective remedy. When the house has become infested with these insects, it is very difficult to eradicate them. Thorough house cleaning at
least twice a year is advisable. And a special house cleaning toward the middle or latter part of the summer is particularly effective. Take up the carpets, beat them, spray with ben zine, and hang on the line to air in the direct sunshine all day. Wash down floors and spray the floor and crevices about the baseboards with benzine or kerosene. Meantime open the windows and ventilate thoroughly before introducing a light. Fill all floor cracks and cracks about the baseboards with suitable crack-fillers, as elsewhere recommended, and, if possible, before relaying the carpet, cover the floor with a lining of tarred roofing paper. Tack the car pet loosely, and occasionally look un der the edges to see if insects have put in an appearance. In that case lay a wet cloth over the spot and iron dry with a very hot iron. Steam un til the insects are exterminated. Or fumigate the premises with sulphur or bisulphide of carbon or hydro cyanic-acid gas.