. Elementary textbook of economic zoology and entomology. Zoology; Insect pests. INSECTS AFFECTING MAN AND ANIMALS 399 between the walls, under the hearthstones, or in other suitable places. The small black ant, M. minimum, the pavement-ant, Tetramorium ccespitum, of many eastern cities, and other species which have their nests out of doors, frequently invade houses and cause great annoyance by getting into all kinds of food. As in the field so in the houses the Argentine ant is by far the most important in regions where it occurs. Indeed in places where this introduced species is well establi
. Elementary textbook of economic zoology and entomology. Zoology; Insect pests. INSECTS AFFECTING MAN AND ANIMALS 399 between the walls, under the hearthstones, or in other suitable places. The small black ant, M. minimum, the pavement-ant, Tetramorium ccespitum, of many eastern cities, and other species which have their nests out of doors, frequently invade houses and cause great annoyance by getting into all kinds of food. As in the field so in the houses the Argentine ant is by far the most important in regions where it occurs. Indeed in places where this introduced species is well established the other species disappear, for the intruder attacks and finally overcomes, by sheer force of numbers, all other kinds of ants. Nearly all ants live in large colonies in a common nest, but the Argentine ants build small nests or burrows anywhere throughout the infested region. Not only are the Argentine ants more numerous than other species, but they are more per- sistent in their search for food, and methods that usually afford protection from other ants are of little or no avail against this introduced marauder. The best way to get rid of FIG. 185.—Argentine ant, /;-/- most ants is to find the nest and f^™' l""'"'lis' (Much en" treat it with carbon bisulphide, pouring a few ounces of the liquid in holes made in the nest and immediately stopping up the holes so the gas will be forced throughout the nest. Colonies of the house ants may often be treated with gasoline or boiling water. Dilute car- bolic acid injected into the crevices through which the ants enter a room will sometimes drive them away. Oil of lemon diluted with alcohol will serve the same purpose for some species. When it is impossible to destroy the nests, many of the ants may be trapped by putting out scraps of attrac- tive food or sponges wet with sweet syrup. The persis- tent use of such traps will usually give relief from the pests if the baits are removed as soon as they are cov
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