The bedbug : $b Its relation to public health, its habits and life history, and methods of controlUnited States. Public Health Service
Science
The bedbug : $b Its relation to public health, its habits and life history, and methods of control
United States. Public Health Service
Bedbugs
“The fumes of burning sulphur are also a very efficient means of
control where the conditions are such that this method can be used,
readily destroying the insect in all stages, including the egg. The
treatment is inexpensive compared with the use of hydrocyanic-acid gas
and offers much less risk of danger to human beings. There is, however,
a considerable risk of injury to household fabrics, furnishings, and
wall papers from the strong bleaching quality of sulphur fumes. This
danger will be somewhat diminished if the fumigation can be done at a
time when the room or house is thoroughly dried out, as in winter by a
furnace or other heating system. Further precautions should be taken
by removing all metallic surfaces from the room or building, or by
protecting them with a coating of vaseline.”
Four pounds of sulphur are recommended for each 1,000 cubic feet of
space, and the building should be closed for the treatment for at least
five or six hours. “Sulphur candles may be used where available, or
the sulphurous gas or fumes can be generated by burning the sulphur
in a dish placed in the center of the room, and for protection set
within a larger vessel. Thoroughgoing precautions must be taken to
prevent accidental overflowing or the starting of a fire, and after the
fumigation the house should be given a thorough airing.
“Other gases have been experimented with, such as formalin and the
vapors of benzine, naphthalene, and camphor, but these gases are of
little value. Similarly, insect powders are of little value, largely
from the difficulty of getting them into the crevices and other places
of concealment of the insects.
“The old-fashioned household remedies referred to below are effective
enough, though at a greater cost of time and personal effort. They
will, however, be often of much service in the case of slight or
recent infestations, or where the employment of more poisonous and
troublesome gases is objected to or is impracticable. Of these simple
methods of control perhaps the most efficient is in very liberal
applications of benzine or kerosene, or any other of the lighter
petroleum oils, introduced with small brushes or feathers, or by
injecting with syringes into all crevices of beds, furniture, or walls
where the insects may have concealed themselves. Corrosive sublimate is
also of value, and oil of turpentine may be used in the same way. The
liberal use of hot water, wherever it may be employed without danger
to furniture, etc., is also an effectual method of destroying both
eggs and active bugs.[3] A 5 per cent solution of compound solution of
cresol (liquor cresolis compositus) in kerosene forcibly applied with a
large plant sprayer is effective if frequently applied.
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