-4- 



In the worm (larva) stage, these fleas live in the bedding of dogs and cats, in rugs 

 and upholstered furniture, and even in the dirt in flower and shrubbery beds. The 

 worm stage is usually not noticed and is harmless, but adult fleas suck the blood of 

 warm-blooded animals. 



Your dog or cat is a walking bait station for fleas. As long as the pet is around, 

 people are seldom attacked. During the warm months (May to October), use a dust on 

 your pet of either 4 -percent malathion or 5 -percent carbaryl (Sevin) , Apply the 

 treatment every month or so, especially if your pet is in contact with neighbors' 

 pets or if the pet animal roams a lot. Treatments should also be made once or twice 

 during the colder months (November to April) for added protection. 



For emergency use, the plastic resin flea collars containing dichlorvos (Vapons, DDVP) 

 are generally effective in preventing problems with fleas. Some dogs and cats are 

 allergic to these collars; if so, skin ailments can result. Be alert for allergic 

 reactions if you use flea collars on your pet. Also remember that these collars are 

 effective for several weeks, but not the entire year. 



In case of severe problems in a home, treat the pet as suggested above; but also spray 

 a mist lightly over rugs, upholstered furniture, beds, and other areas where fleas are 

 numerous. Use 0.1-percent pyrethrum or 1.0-percent dichlorvos (DDVP), applied from a 

 pressurized spray can. This will give a quick knockdown and kill of the fleas hit with 

 the mist, but it is not lasting. Repeated treatments may be needed. 



WEED CONTROL IN SMALL-GRAIN STUBBLE 



A good job of controlling weeds in corn and soybeans will reduce the supply of weed 

 seeds in the soil, according to the results of a long-term field study at Urbana. But 

 when foxtail, johnsongrass, ragweed, and other weeds are allowed to grow and produce 

 seeds in small-grain stubble, the weed-seed supply in the soil is quickly replenished. 



Controlling both grasses and broadleaf weeds . To do this in fields where there is 

 no underseeding of desirable legumes and grasses, consider spraying with a mixture of 

 dalapon and 2,4-D. The rate will depend on the kind and size of weeds present. When 

 used at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds of commercial product per acre, dalapon may control 

 foxtail that is only a few inches high. Johnsongrass, however, may require 5 to 7 pounds 

 per acre; a later treatment may also be needed. For easy-to-kill broadleaf weeds, 1/4 

 to 1/2 pound of 2,4-D per acre may be enough to do the job; for tougher broadleaves, 

 1/2 to 1 pound of 2,4-D per acre. 



Treating johnsongrass with dalapon . One of the most effective and practical control 

 programs is to apply dalapon on johnsongrass after small grain harvest, thus control- 

 ling old plants and rhizomes, and then to follow on the next spring with Treflan and 

 soybeans for seedling control. Check the dalapon label and Illinois Circular 827 for 

 specific recommendations. Follow the instructions, precautions, and restrictions on the 

 product labels. Do not graze livestock on fields where dalapon is used. If 2,4-D 

 is used alone, do not graze dairy animals for seven days. 



Tillage alone or in combination with herbicides . This also provides effective weed con- 

 trol in small-grain stubble. Mowing may reduce weed growth; but weeds, such as foxtail, 

 can grow up again rapidly and still produce heads with considerable seed. 



WEED CONTROL IN PASTURES | 



Pasture land is probably the most neglected acreage on Illinois farms. Yet, just a 

 small investment in herbicide and fertilizer can improve both the yield and quality of 

 forage from permanent pastures. 



