FIGHTING THE LARVÆ All of the efforts directed against the adult mosquitoes are usually of little avail in decreasing the number in any region. It is comparatively easy, however, to fight them successfully in the larval stage. We have seen that standing water is absolutely necessary for mosquitoes to breed in. This makes the problem much simpler than if they could breed in any moist places such as well-sprinkled lawns, a shady part of the garden, etc. The whole problem of successful campaigns against the mosquitoes resolves itself into the problem of finding and destroying or properly treating their breeding-places. We have seen how certain kinds, such as the yellow fever mosquito, are "domestic" species. They never go far from their breeding-places. If a house is infected by one of these species the immediate premises should be searched for the source. Cisterns, rain-barrels, sewer-traps, cesspools, tubs or buckets of water or old tin cans in out-of-the-way corners, are all suitable places for them to breed in. Cisterns and rain-barrels should be thoroughly screened so that no mosquitoes can get in or out, or the surface should be covered with a film of kerosene which will kill all the larvæ in the water when they come to the surface to breathe, and will also kill the females when they come to deposit their eggs. The vent to open cesspools should be thoroughly screened or the surface of the water kept well covered with oil. Water standing in any vessels in the yards should be emptied every week or ten days and the old tin cans destroyed or hauled away. In fighting these domestic species you need be concerned only with your own yard and that of your near-by neighbors. Other species, while also rather local in their distribution, fly much farther than the really domestic ones. In fighting these the region for a considerable distance around must be taken into consideration. Watering-troughs (Fig. 95) that are left filled from week to week, the overflow from such places, and the tracks made in the mud round about them (Fig. 96), small sluggish streams, irrigating ditches, and small ponds or lakes not supplied with fish are excellent breeding-places for several species of mosquitoes including _Anopheles_ and others. The remedy at once suggests itself. The watering-trough can be emptied and renewed every week during the summer time, the overflow can be taken care of in a ditch that will lead it away from the trough to where it will sink into the ground, the banks of the streams or ponds or lakes can be cleared in such a way that fish can get to all parts of the water; most of the small ponds can be drained or their surface may be covered over with a thin film of kerosene. This is best applied as a spray; one ounce to fifteen square feet will suffice. If the oil is simply poured over the surface more will be required.