Page:Family receipt book.pdf/21

21 trap, placed at the head of the bed, forms a receptacle for them, and then they may be daily caught till no more are left. Fumigations are very dangerous, and rarely effectual, therefore attempt no such project. Oil-painting a wall is a means of excluding and destroying them.

FLEAS.

There is no way of ridding a bed or house of these vermin bnt excessive cleanliness. Keep the floors well swept and washed, and if you have a dog, comb and wash it frequently.Fleas are bred on the ground, or among dust.

LICE.

Lice are now almost unknown in England. Wherever they are found, there certainly also is found dirtiness. Ignorant people imagine that these nauseous vermin breed spontane-ously, this is a gross error. By cleanliness they are com-pletely prevented; and the more warm the climate, so is the necessity for cleanliness greater.

BEETLES, COCKROACHES, AND CRICKETS.

These may be caught in traps. A simple trap for them is a glazed basin or pie-dish half-filled with sweetened beer or milk, and to the edge of which a piece of wood is laid from the floor as a gangway. Do not attempt poisoning or fumi-gation.

FLIES.

It is difficult to rid a house of flies by any other plan than by poisoning, and that is too dangerous to be recommended. A composition of milk, sugar, and pepper, will attract and kill them, and so will a decoction of quasia; but both cause them to make offensive marks on the walls and furniture before they die. Gilt frames and chandeliers should be shrouded in thin yellow gauze or paper, in situations where the flies are likely to spoil them. Trees about a house form a harbour for flies, as well as dirt of all kinds. Cleanliness and airiness are the best preventives.

MOTHS.

The best way to preserve furs or worsteds from moths is to sew them closely up in a bag of new unwashed linen; if this is not done, the next best is to take the articles frequently out and brush and air them. The odour of camphor, shavings of Russia leather, lavender, &c., are much less efficacious than they are supposed to be. Kill every flying moth which you see.