FLEAS. 23 



larvse. No doubt a number of insect enemies of the immature stages 

 exist, but they are probably less important in control than climatic 

 factors. Chickens seem to be capable under some conditions of inter- 

 fering with the development of the immature stages of fleas by 

 scratching their breeding place about, and no doubt they eat some of 

 the fleas in their various stages. 



ARTIFICIAL CONTROL. 



In order to prevent an outbreak of fleas, and more especially to 

 control an infestation which has become established in or about a 

 house, it is usually necessary and always advisable to combine two 

 or more of the measures discussed below in order promptly to control 

 the situation. 



DESTRUCTION OF FLEAS ON HOSTS. 



In nearly all cases of flea infestation by either the human flea or 

 the dog flea in houses or by the sticktight flea in poultry yards 

 the destruction of the fleas on the hosts is important. Dogs and cats 

 are the animals of particular importance in this connection, since 

 they act as normal hosts for the flea of the dog and cat, which often 

 anrioys man; they sometimes harbor the human flea and are fre- 

 quently heavily infested with the sticktight flea. In cases of house 

 infestation, while it is imperative that the breeding places be treated, 

 attention should be given to dogs and cats. In fact, the destruction 

 of the breeding places and the clearing of the fleas from the hosts 

 should be undertaken simultaneously, as each is essential to the best 

 success of the other. A number of different methods of destroying 

 the insects on animals have been tried, and each has its advocates. 

 The writer has used certain creosote derivations, among them creolin, 

 with excellent results. There are several preparations similar to 

 creolin which would probably be equally effective. It is best to make 

 up a 3 per cent solution of creolin, or one of the similar preparations, 

 in warm water in a tub and place the animal into it; then with a 

 stiff brush to work the solution into the hair. The animal should be 

 kept in the solution 5 or 10 minutes, particular care being taken thor- 

 oughly to wet the fleas which crowd to the head of the animal. After 

 the host has been thus treated the creolin water may be drained off 

 and the animal washed with warm water and soap. This washing 

 is not always necessary or advisable in treating dogs, but it is desir- 

 able with cats. By this method the burning of the most delicate- 

 skinned animal is avoided. Where a graduated glass measure is not 

 at hand, a 3 per cent solution of the wash may be made by putting in 

 4 tablespoonfuls of creolin to each gallon of water. 



