10 FAKMEES' BULLETIN 897. 



MEANS OF REPRESSION. 



Certain general principles regarding the control of fleas are ap- 

 plicable to nearly all species, but some modifications of the methods 

 emploj'ed are necessary for different species, and under the different 

 conditions in Avhich they exist. 



REMEDIES FOR HOUSEHOLD INFESTATIONS. 



As has been pointed out, the dog flea and the human flea are the 

 two most important species invading the habitations of man. It 

 has also been suggested that the adult fleas feed more or less on 

 cats and dogs and that the immature stages develop in the cracks 

 of floors and beneath houses. It therefore is apparent at once that 

 two steps are necessary to cope with the pest: (1) The destruction 

 on the host of the adults which are producing the eggs, and (2) 

 the clearing out of the immature stages which are breeding in or 

 under the house. 



HOW TO KILL FLEAS ON CATS. DOGS, AND HOGS. 



One of the most successful methods of killing fleas on cats and 

 dogs is to wash the animals thoroughly in a tub containing the 

 proper proportion of a saponified coal-tar creosote preparation, of 

 which there are a number on the market, known as "stock dips," 

 etc. The animal should be scrubbed thoroughly, special precaution 

 being taken that the fleas on the head are well soaked, as many rush 

 there to get away from the parts that are covered with the solution. 

 After the animal has been in the bath for about 5 or 10 minutes 

 it may be removed and allowed to dry. In the case of cats, especially 

 if tender skinned, the preparation should be washed out of the fur 

 with soap and warm water soon after the animal is taken out of 

 the solution. 



In addition to the destruction of all fleas present, this washing 

 cleanses and deodorizes the fur and also aids in the healing of any 

 wounds Avhich are present. 



The thorough Avashing of infested animals in kerosene emulsion 

 is a cheap and satisfactory method of destroying fleas. Five gallons 

 of this emulsion may be made by dissolving 2 ounces of washing 

 soap in 1 quart of hot water and when brought to a boil removing 

 it from the fire and adding 2i pints of kerosene. The mixture should 

 be agitated violently with an egg-beater or something of the sort. 

 This should result in a milky mass from which the oil does not 

 separate. Water is then added to make 5 gallons. Free kerosene 

 will burn animals, and if any separates out the mixture should be 

 reheated, care being taken to avoid spilling it on the fire or boil- 

 ing it over, and then it should be beaten again. 



