Rain barrels, buckets, and all other receptacles about the premises in which water collects should be emptied at least once a week or, if possible, per manently. Draining is the most satis factory way to fight mosquitoes, as it is much easier to get people's interest in the subject thoroughly aroused by one concerted effort than it is to try keeping it up by spasmodic efforts from month to month and from year to year.
Screens for Mosquitoes. — Cover with fine wire screens rain barrels, cisterns, and all receptacles for drink ing water that cannot he treated with kerosene or emptied frequently, and go over them occasionally with a cloth moistened in kerosene, taking care not to let any oil drip into the water. This will effectually prevent mosqui toes from squeezing through the screen to lay their eggs.
To Destroy Mosquitoes with Fish. —The small pools, marshes, swamps, and streams having shallow pools with stagnant edges which are used as watering places for stock, and hence cannot be covered with kerosene, should be stocked with small fish, as the top minnow and the sunfish (or " pumpkin seed "). Both these species feed on the wigglers and will quickly rid any infested waters of them. The pumpkin seed is preferable, as it is equipped with spine rays which pro tect it from the larger fish. But the top minnow is suitable for small pools and ponds where there are no pike or pickerel.
When depending upon fish to keep the watering places of stock clear from mosquitoes, be on the lookout against prints left by the hoofs of animals in the mud on margins of ponds, where, of course, the fish can not approach. These must be treated occasionally with kerosene.
Household Remedies. — To screen all doors, windows, and other open ings, including the entrance to the top of the chimney and to the cellar win dows, against mosquitoes may be, in malarial and yellow-fever districts or during epidemics of contagious dis eases, a matter of life and death, and is the best preventive at all times against the annoyance of the pests. An open porch or piazza fitted with movable screens or hinged screens that can be opened during the daytime if desired, is a great convenience and luxury in mosquito-ridden districts. If mosquitoes crawl through the screens, rub the latter just at twilight with a cloth moistened in kerosene, or, if preferred, one of the essential oils, as pennyroyal or other preventives.
Or burn Persian insect powder or pyrethrum in sitting or sleeping-rooms during the evening, moistening the powder with a little water and shap ing it by hand to a rough cone about the size and shape of a chocolate drop. Place these cones in a pan and thoroughly dry them in the oven. When wanted, set fire to the top of one, which will smolder slowly and send up & thin column of pun gent smoke, not harmful to man but stupefying to mosquitoes. Two or three of these cones burned during the evening will give much relief from mosquitoes in sitting rooms. The smoke does not, however, kill the in sects, and is merely a palliative.
Or, to kill mosquitoes found in the evening on ceilings of sitting rooms or bedrooms, nail to the end of a broom handle or other suitable stick a shallow tin cup, such as the top of a blacking box, and wet the inside with kerosene. When this cup is placed under the mosquito, he drops or flies against the oily surface and is killed. The last two methods are recommend ed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Or place a bit of camphor gum the size of a butternut on iron or tin and hold it over the flame of a lamp until it evaporates. Do not let it take fire. The smoke which fills the room will stupefy the mosquitoes.
Or scatter oil of pennyroyal about the room.
To Prevent Mosquito Bites. — Di lute oil of pennyroyal with water, or make an infusion of pennyroyal leaves and apply to the hands and face, or rub the bruised leaves on the skin.
Or apply camphorated spirits, or a mixture of 1 part of carbolic acid with 3 parts of sweet oil. Take care that this does not enter the eyes or mouth or any cuts or burns on the skin.
Or use a mixture of 3 ounces of sweet oil, I ounce of creosote, and ounce of pennyroyal.
To Cure Mosquito Bites. — Apply aqua ammonia or salt and water or a decoction of tobacco or dilute carbolic acid.
Or crushed smartweed leaves put on with a bandage.
Or a mixture of 2 ounces of sper maceti, ounce of white wax, 1 ounce of camphor, and 2 ounces of olive oil. Melt with gentle heat and stir vigorously. Preserve in covered jars for use.
Plant castor beans about the house. These are said to repel mosquitoes.