THE FLEAS 69 



from the hairs. It is well to place the animal while undergoing this 

 treatment upon a large sheet of paper which may later be rolled up and 

 burned with the collected fleas. In severe cases creolin or lysol solutions 

 in two per cent, strength may be used. Quite effectual, but more expen- 

 sive, is the preparation consisting of Peruvian balsam, ten parts; creolin, 

 two parts; alcohol, one hundred parts which is recommended in the 

 treatment for lice and scab mites upon small animals. In the treatment 

 of cats, puppies, and chicks the powder is preferable to the last men- 

 tioned preparations. 



Following treatment animals should not ])e permitted to re-enter 

 their sleeping quarters until all litter has been removed and burned. 

 In order that this cleanhig up process may be effectual every detail 

 must be looked to. Collections of dirt and dust between floor boards 

 must be removed, as well as every particle of bedding or rubbish that 

 may harbor a flea brood. After this preparation the quarters should be 

 thoroughly cleaned with hot, soapy water and, when drj'^, sprayed with 

 kerosene or kerosene emulsion (formulae, page 48) as an additional pre- 

 caution. For kennels a bedding should be used which can be frequently 

 replaced, as shavings or straw. Carpet or matting should never be used 

 for this purpose. 



Household Infestation. — In dealing with household infestation it is 

 first necessary to exclude flea-bearing animals from the premises or 

 destroy the adults which are producing the eggs upon these hosts. Flea 

 larvse find excellent conditions for development under tacked-down 

 carpets or matting and in spaces between floor boards. The floor 

 covering, whatever it may be, should be removed, beaten, and thor- 

 oughly aired. The floors may then be swept and the dust, which con- 

 tains many eggs and larvae, collected and burned. Kerosene should 

 then be applied with a mop in such manner that it will penetrate all 

 cracks and crevices in the floor and beneath the baseboards. Benzene 

 is often advised for this purpose, but, owing to the extreme danger of 

 ignition, its use, excepting under the most careful supervision, is not 

 to be recommended. 



Following these eradicative measures the floor coverings may be re- 

 placed, but before doing so it is well, as an additional precaution, to 

 sprinkle the floors Avith pyrethrum powder. This will work into the 

 fabric and make the carpet or matting an unfavorable harbor for any 

 larvai or adults which may have escaped the eradicative measures. 

 Where the floors are oiled and rugs used instead of carpets or matting, 

 the problem of getting rid and keeping rid of such an infestation is much 

 lessened. 



