Field studies of systemic insecticides. V. Evaluation of seven organophosphate compounds for flea control on native rodents and rabbits in southeastern New Mexico1,2.

Abstract

Seven organophosphate insecticides were evaluated in 17 open-field tests and 4 enclosure tests as oral systemics (applied as a surface coat on grain bait) for control of fleas on native rodents and rabbits in southeastern New Mexico. The most effective control was achieved with ronnel and dimethoate on Dipodornys spp. Some degree of control was achieved on D. spectabilis with fenthion and acephate. Effective control was achieved on Sigmodon hispidus with dimethoate, and some degree of control was achieved on this species with trichlorfon. No effective flea control was achieved on any species with coumaphos or pirimiphos-methyl. None of the flea control achieved with these 7 compounds was as effective as that achieved during tests of phoxim and chlorphoxim, reported in previous papers.