OCR Text |
Show DDT Known in County For Saving Crops DDT, the "wonder insecticide" which has saved hundreds of thousands thou-sands of American and allied troops from malaria and other insect in-sect borne diseases, will be known to hundreds of Utahns before the end of the '45 crop season. Several thousand pounds of diluted di-luted DDT dust, ready to apply for experiments on lygus bugs, alfalfa weevil, potato insects, flea beetles ants, onion thrips, garden insects, and other noxious pests, is being used in experiments and' demonstrations demon-strations in Utah this season. In addition, liquid DDT sprays are being be-ing applied in smaller amounts for the control of flies in an effort to prevent the spread of infantile paralysis, pa-ralysis, and to reduce fly-borne dysentery, dy-sentery, typhoid and other fly-borne diseases. Such spray treatments also al-so kill adult mosquitoes which rest upon DDT sprayed house screens, walls and other treated surfaces, he points out. A note of caution is needed. The widespread and indiscriminate use of DDT is not desirable. Until its effect upon beneficial insects as honey bees, wild inrect pollinators of economic crops, and beneficial parasitic insects is known, this in-secticed in-secticed should not be turned loose for general uee. Such a usage will upset the balance of nature and result in undesirable consquences to agriculture, which it is hoped, may be largely avoided if research is accomplished to permit use of this wonder insecticide in minimum dosages and with maximum possible poss-ible precaution, with constant regard re-gard for beneficial forms of animal life. For use in fly and mosquito control, con-trol, DDT is used at the rate of 2 pounds dissoled in five gallons of ordinary kerosene. This should be sprayed or painted with a brush on door, screens, and walls. It is difficult dif-ficult to get this material off glass, so it is'nt recommended on windows. wind-ows. George Whornham. County Agent. |