FLEAS AND THEIR CONTROL. H 



Other methods of destroying fleas on cats and dogs have been 

 recommended. Among these the careful rubbing into the hair of 

 powdered naphthalene or moth balls has been found effective. Pyre- 

 thrum or Persian insect powder is used in the same way. Both of 

 these materials stupefy the insects and cause them to come to the 

 surface of the hair or actually drop out. The animals should be 

 treated on papers spread on the floor and the insects burned after 

 the dusting is completed. 



Recent experiments with the use of the powdered roots of certain 

 tropical plants known as derris indicate that this drug when fresh is 

 exceedingly effective in destroying fleas on animals. All fleas on a 

 dog will be destroyed by one application of 1 gram or about three- 

 fourths of a level teaspoonful of the powder. It is suggested that the 

 material be mixed at the time it is used with two parts of flour or 

 cornstarch and dusted into the hair of the animal, especially along 

 the back and neck, with a shaker. 



The skin of cats is mucli more easily injured with chemicals than 

 that of dogs; hence, any preparation used should be weaker when 

 used on cats than on dogs. 



Fleas on hogs maj^ be destroyed by dipping the animals in a vat 

 containing one of the creosote dips used for the hog louse or by 

 sprinkling crude petroleum on them when they are eating. 



CONTROL OF HOSTS. 



In order to avoid the infestation of houses, it is important that 

 all animals be kept from beneath dwellings. In such situations 

 breeding may progi^ss rapidl}', and it is very difficult to treat the 

 breeding places. If fleas are continuously annoying about the house- 

 hold, it is often desirable not to admit cats and dogs at all, but to 

 provide regular sleeping quarters for these animals out of doors 

 and prevent flea breeding by methods suggested in the following 

 paragraph. Stray cats and dogs should not be encouraged about 

 the premises. In towns and cities the enforcement of the dog-tax 

 law and the destruction of all untagged animals will tend greatly 

 to reduce house infestations. It is also desirable to keep different 

 kinds of animals which are subject to flea infestation separated, and 

 care should be exercised that infested animals are not brought to 

 clean premises and that infested poultry are not placed with a clean 

 flock. 



HOW TO DESTROY FLEAS IN IMMATURE STAGES. 



Following the ridding of infested animals of adult fleas, it is 

 important to destroy the immature fleas, which are constantly becom- 

 ing full grown and reinfesting animals and annoying man. 



