124 



The eggs are deposited in corners, crevices in the floors and 

 walls, under carpets and in similar locations. The larvae, 

 which are minute worm-like maggots, (Fig. 139) live among 

 the dust and dirt, and are said to feed on the particles of 

 organic matter found in such places. The adults hide in 

 clothing and bedding and attack human beings, principally at 

 night. The mouth parts are especially adapted for piercing 

 the skin and for sucking up their food," which is the blood of 

 the victim attacked. The length of time required for the 

 complete life-cycle is about four weeks, 



In order to rid a dwelling of fleas after it has once become 

 infested, it is necessary to remove the breeding places. In 

 such a house it would be advisable to remove all carpets, 

 rugs and floor mattings, and to have these thoroughly cleaned 

 by beating and sweeping, out of doors. Floors should be 

 swept and scrubbed, and great care taken to prevent the 

 accumulation of any dust and dirt. Pyrethrum is very 

 effectual in destroying fleas, and may be dusted in all places 

 frequented by the adults, or in which the larvae are likely to 

 breed. Powdered alum is said to be an effective remedy for 

 fleas. This may be dusted in the same way as is mentioned 

 for pyrethrum, or it may be dissolved in water, and the 

 solution used for wiping floors. When it is found that beds 

 are infested with adult fleas, the following simple method 

 will probably prove very effective. Take an old sheet, and 

 wring it out in a strong solution of alum and water and 

 thoroughly dry it. Spread this over the mattress and under 

 the sheet that is slept on. 



The cat and dog flea (Pulex xerraticepx, Gerv.) also 

 attacks man, and the methods of control just mentioned will 

 be found useful for these insects. (See Fig. 148.) 



Fleas have long been known as insects which cause 

 irritation and annoyance, but quite recently it has been 

 discovered that certain species of these insects play an 

 important part in the transmission of one of the most serious 

 of diseases bubonic plague. It has been found that rats 

 are the means by which plague is spread. This disease 

 attacks rats, and is communicated to the fleas which infest 

 them. When a rat dies of plague, the infested fleas leave 

 the dead body in search of other food, and if these insects 

 bite human beings the disease is communicated. In addition 

 to the killing of the fleas, it is necessary to destroy the rats 

 also, in order to control an outbreak of plague. Most 

 persons will hardly distinguish between different kinds of 



