90 REMEDIES FOR FLEAS 



ditions in the dwelling-houses and the number of fur-bearing 

 pets. The writer at one time lived in a small village, one 

 section of which wasi greatly infested with fleas. The fol- 

 lowing year some of these badly infested houses were free 

 from fleas, though no measures for their extermination had 

 been adopted. Upon inquiry it was found that the cats and 

 dogs had been destroyed some time before spring house 

 cleaning. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES 



Various remedies for fleas have been devised. The use of 

 rugs for carpets is to be recommended as this prevents the 

 breeding to some extent. The rooms should be kept free 

 from rubbish, as well as thoroughly clean, and well aired. 



Persian Insect Powder. — Persian insect powder dusted 

 among the hairs of the animal or in the room serves as a pre- 

 ventive, but on the whole has been very unsatisfactory wher- 

 ever it was used. 



Handpicki7ig. — Handpicking is out of the question where 

 the insects have established themselves in great numbers. 

 However, as has already been stated, a single intruder may be 

 the cause of much alarm and when removed the evil is rem- 

 edied. 



Creolin Washes. — The most satisfactory remedy we have 

 found is in the use of creolin. This substance in diluted form 

 has been used for various purposes for many years, such as 

 disinfectants, deodorants, insecticides, etc. It has not been, 

 however, generally recommended for fleas. 



The time to combat an insect pest is when it is in its in- 

 fancy. The fleas make their appearance on the fur-bearing 

 animals about our dwellings and their presence is easily 

 recognized when the animal begins to scratch and bite its fur. 

 As it is among these hairs they begin their breeding, the 

 treatment should begin here. 



The animal should be thoroughly washed with a mixture of 

 creolin and water. This will destroy the adults as well as the 

 larvae and thus prevent further breeding. For dogs a 3 per 

 cent, solution should be used ; for cats a 2 per cent, solution, 

 as the fur is more sensitive and the hair finer and will hold the 

 solution longer. 



