FARMERS’ 
BULLETIN 
WasuinoTon, D. C. 683 Novemser 8, 1915. 
Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology, L. O. Howard, Chief. 
FLEAS AS PESTS TO MAN AND ANIMALS, WITH 
SUGGESTIONS FOR THEIR CONTROL. 
By F. C. BISHOPP, 
Entomological Assistant, Southern Field Crop Insect Investigations. 
INTRODUCTION. 
Fleas are of importance to man in two ways: First, as disease 
carriers and, second, as parasites or annoyers of man and animals. 
The dread disease of man known as bubonic plague has been found 
to be transmitted largely, if not entirely, through the agency of 
these insects. A disease known as infantile kala azar, occurring 
in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, is probably also 
transmitted by them, and a species of tapeworm which infests dogs 
and occasionally people has been found to pass at least one stage in 
the dog flea, then gaining entrance to a new host by the swallowing 
of crushed or living fleas. As parasites of man and animals fleas 
are of considerable importance aside from disease transmission. 
In many instances they have been known to render houses unin- 
habitable for a time, and certain species cause considerable loss 
among poultry as well as annoyance to other animals. 
LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS OF FLEAS. 
It should be borne in mind that there are a great many different 
kinds of fleas. Most of these are of no importance to man, as they 
feed on various wild birds and mammals. Nearly all species have 
some one host upon which they prefer to live, but they may feed 
upon other animals and often thrive upon them. 
96755°—Bull. 683—15 
