An Implement of War by Orin Belknap

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1911

An Implement of War

By Orin Belknap

ORIN BELKNAP

SINCE war has been declared on the common house-fly, the question of a successful campaign against this insect has become an important one.

While cleanliness outside and inside the house is all-important, and while tanglefoot and liquid poison are both necessary for thorough work indoors, there is one additional implement of war which, properly used, will finish the very last fly in any room in the house. No makeshift on sale in the stores begins to be as effective; and on many occasions I have proved to the satisfaction of my family that the very last member of this tribe in any room of our house can be exterminated.

This hunt for the fly has taught me some new things. One is that near the last end of a successful hunt, the few remaining ones seem to become panic-stricken, and will hide most industriously and cunningly. Again, at this stage of the war, if undisturbed for a few minutes, they seem lonesome, and will often fly to the floor and creep near the dead ones, apparently for company.

This implement of war against the fly is not my own invention, and is common in many places; yet so effective is it, and so cheap, that all should have a knowledge of it. Buy a square yard of wire screen of fine mesh (for sale at any hardware store), and cut a piece eight or nine inches wide and fourteen inches long; cut so as to leave the selvage across one end. With a straight-edge or bit of board, fold each edge under for half or three quarters of an inch, puckering the end with no selvage by folding and pressing the corners toward the center, so that the piece of screen may be fastened to a handle. A bit of light wood, or preferably a piece of Japanese cane such as boys use for fish-poles, makes the best handle. In attaching the screen, I drive a small nail through the folds of the screen and the handle, clinching the point of the nail. Have the handle just long enough to reach the ceiling easily. Finish this new-fangled sword by binding the screen to the handle with strong cord. We are now ready for hostilities.

The theory of the matter is this: If we strike at a fly with a shingle or any opaque substance, the stroke itself makes a current of air that wafts Mr. Fly to safety without effort of his own; but this device allows the air to pass freely through its meshes, and being made of wire, moves so swiftly through the air that the tormenting creature that has annoyed you with impunity, is struck too quickly to recover from his surprise.

It is absolutely impossible for him to escape. And the consciousness that I have a new weapon which makes me master of the situation, after having the flies wander across my bald head, or insist on sampling my bowl of bread and milk before I have a chance at it myself, is indeed comforting. Make half a dozen of these simple tools; give them to the children, and they will take the burden of this war from your shoulders.