INVASION OF ANTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10308, 18 January 1927, Page 3

INVASION OF ANTS

PROBLEM FOR DEYONPORT HOUSEWIVES. (Snecial to the Times.) AUCKLAND. Jan. IC. Some time ago, an army of ants marched on Devonporc and billeted on residents. Housewives slew manv, but reinforcements came to swell the main body and to-day, the battalions of the little brown insects are, apparently, at full strength. The old saying, “Kill one and a thousand come to his funeral” is only too true of the ant. Ivercsene, patent powders and other remedies so called are all more or less ineffective. Anything sweet will incite ants to a mass attack. Although the pantry has been cleaned and dusted with death dealing powder in the morning, it may be'found that the insect army has penetrated the defences by the early afternoon, with the result that a large quantity of the cupboard contents must be thrown out. However 'the Devonport ant has not yet learned to swim and many distracted wives protect their edibles by placing the legs of sideboards, cupboards or meat safes in tins filled with water, while it is no uncommon thing to put cakes or other dainties in some receptacle which may be floated in a big basin filled with water.