76 Circular No. 15. 



places, from which the pests come; and, further, to disinfect 

 the animals we keep about us that are the chief means of bring- 

 ing them into our dwellings. Practically all that needs to be 

 done in the case of flea infestations is accomplished, when these 

 precautions have been taken. 



In the first place, it is desirable that the floors of stables 

 and other outbuildings frequented by pets be made as far as 

 practicable flea and rat proof. Wooden floors are to be avoided 

 when possible because of the opportunity they afford for rats 

 to burrow beneath, and for fleas to find crevices in which to 

 breed and from which they cannot readily be driven out, or 

 destroyed. A good concrete floor is almost a necessity as a 

 means of providing cleanly quarters for animals. It holds both 

 rats and fleas in check; it can be easily cleaned and even dis- 

 infected. Old litter, the refuse of bedding, forage, feeds, and 

 the like, should be carefully swept up and burned or removed 

 to the garden or farm to serve as a fertilizer. A little carbol- 

 ized lime scattered about such places, in crevices of floors, etc., 

 will help. Coal-oil, where it can be used, is excellent. Rat 

 poisons and traps may be brought into service. All of these 

 are well known and easily applied remedies, and if employed 

 in advance of veritable irruptions of the pests will keep fleas 

 suppressed. 



While there are several hundred species of fleas infesting 

 different animals, those commonly found about human habita- 

 tions in this country belong to four species, which are : 



The human flea (Pulex irritans), found also on the dog 

 and other domestic animals, also at times on rats, and even on 

 the skunk. 



The dog flea (Ctenocephalus canis) which infests cats, 

 dogs and many other animals. The commonest flea in dwell- 

 ings in this part of the United States. 



The cat flea (Ctenocephalus felis) infests cats and dogs. 

 Frequently the common flea of dwellings, when cats are kept 

 constantly indoors. 



The rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis). This is the plague- 

 speciei common in India and now introduced into 



