1. A mixture of lime, sulphur, and colocynth with pitch.
2. Saturating the pores with coal-tar, either alone or after a solution of corrosive sublimate has been soaked and dried into the wood.
3. Sheathing with thin copper over tarred felt is esteemed the best protection for the bottoms of ships for all marine animals; the joints should be stopped with tarred oakum.
4. Studding the parts under water with short broad-headed nails.
2. Saturate the wood with a strong solution of corrosive sublimate: if used for carvings, the colour should be restored by ammonia, and then by a weak solution of hydrochloric acid; the holes may be stopped up with gum and gelatine, and a varnish of resin dissolved in spirits of wine should afterwards be applied to the surface.
3. Whale-oil and poisonous ointments have been found of service.
The wood should be carefully brushed before being operated upon.
1. Corrosive sublimate is an effectual poison to them.
2. Oils, especially essential oils, are good preventives.
3. Cajeput-oil has been proved effectual for destroying the red ant.
4. Payne’s, Bethell’s, and Burnett’s processes are said to be proof against the white ant of India.
5. Dust the parts with pounded quicklime, and then water them with the ammoniacal liquor of gas-works, when the ammonia will be instantly disengaged by the quicklime, and this is destructive to insect life.
6. For the black ant, use powdered borax; or smear the parts frequented by them with petroleum oil; or syringe their nests with fluoric acid or spirits of tar, to be done with a leaden syringe; or pour down the holes boiling water to destroy their nests, and then stop up the holes with cement. Ants dislike arsenic, camphor, and creosote.
The preceding remedies are not by any means given with the intention of superseding the previous chapters, which should be carefully studied by those who wish to acquire a moderate knowledge of the subjects.
Our task is nearly completed: we have but few general remarks to make.