Click Beetles
(Agriotes lineatus, A. obscurus, &c.). These Beetles are long, narrow, slaty-brown, black, or reddish. They may frequently be observed on grass land during summer. The common name is derived from the fact that the Beetle, when laid on its back, recovers its position by a spring, which is accompanied by a peculiar "clicking" sound. The grubs--Wireworms--of these Beetles are amongst the most destructive pests to both farm and garden crops. The following remedies may be recommended for the extermination of the grubs. For fuller particulars, see Wireworms.
Traps, such as carrots, or slices of potato or turnip, placed about numerously in the ground, and carefully looked over every day, will greatly help to effect a clearance.
Nitrate of Soda, or Salt, may be applied to land intended for farm crops. It will tend to destroy the Wireworms where they exist in large quantities, and will also act as a manure.