28 BULLETIN 248, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Sodium fluoric! is a comparatively new insecticide which will 

 probably be useful against fleas. This substance is not expensive 

 and not dangerous to handle. The crystalline powder is applied 

 by dusting it over the carpets or floors and working it into the 

 cracks. For the adult fleas it may be blown about the floor and cor- 

 ners with a dust gun or insufflator. Although this substance has not 

 been tried in this way, it is possible that it can be advantageously 

 utilized in chicken houses, dog kennels, etc., by blowing it about the 

 floors with a powder gun. The fact that sodium fluorid is an excel- 

 lent remedy against cockroaches further commends its use about 

 houses infested with fleas. 



A number of things should be mentioned which may be utilized 

 to some extent in flea-infested regions to prevent the breeding of 

 fleas in dwellings. As far as possible, rugs, or art squares, or other 

 coverings which can be taken up and permit keeping the floors more 

 cleanly, and in case of infestation make treatment easier, should be 

 used. Closely matched floors are beneficial, as there are fewer cracks 

 in which the young fleas may develop. Where cracks are present they 

 may be filled with plaster of Paris or putty. The use of floor oil or of 

 efficient sweeping compounds on floors seems to aid in preventing flea 

 breeding. 



TRAPPING FLEAS. 



Little dependence for control of fleas can be placed on methods 

 designed actually to capture, repel, or exclude from the host the 

 adult fleas if not supplemented by the other repressive measures just 

 discussed. Nevertheless, under certain conditions, such as in in- 

 stances where a few adults ere produced in a great number of situ- 

 ations, thus making complete stopping of breeding very difficult, or 

 while the other methods of control are being put into effect, trapping, 

 repelling, and isolating are of some value. In localities where plague 

 is prevalent, or even suspected, the importance of keeping even a 

 single flea from biting man is apparent. 



Where only a few fleas are present in a dwelling and breeding in 

 the floors is not suspected, the adults may be caught by placing a 

 number of sheets of sticky paper on the floor. In extreme cases, 

 where the persons attempting to rid premises of fleas are liable to 

 injury or serious disease, the practice of wrapping fly paper, sticky 

 side out, around one's legs and walking about is sometimes resorted to. 

 The movement causes the fleas to jump, and if they strike the paper 

 they are held fast. The use of sticky fly paper in this way was prob- 

 ably first tried by Prof. S. H. Gage at Cornell University. One of 

 the university buildings was cleared of fleas by having the janitor, 

 with legs wrapped in fly paper, walk back and forth in the infested 

 rooms. Mr. D. L. Van Dine also made use of this scheme in Hawaii. 



