Insecticides for Cat Flea Control, 1978

Abstract

Abstract Adult fleas were maintained on laboratory cats (4) housed in individual metal cages with metal mesh floors. The cages were tapered below the mesh and were fitted with a 1 -gal glass Jar into which flea eggs dropped from each cat and were collected. Larvae were reared in 1-qt jars on a pulverized mixture of dry dog chow, dried beef blood, and brewers yeast (10:1.5:1) mixed with equal parts of fine grain sand and sawdust. After 7 days, pupae were separated daily from the larval medium with a No. 16 screen. A glass funnel fitted with 16 mesh screen fastened to a Jar lid was used to separate adults and pupae. Adult fleas 2-5 days old were exposed to treated 78 cm2 plush nylon carpet discs. Liquid insecticides were applied with a B&G compression sprayer equipped with a Sprayer Systems multijet nozzle set to deliver a fine mist from 1-2 ft. Aerosol was sprayed to visible dampness. The Al applied was determined by immediately weighing filter paper sprayed simultaneously with the carpet (ca 0.10 mg/cm2 per 1% spray). Each treated disc was allowed to dry for ca 24 hr. Discs were placed, treated surface up, at the bottom of leucite cylinders (10.0 cm i.d. x 38.1 cm). Replicates (n = 3) of 30-120 fleas were placed onto the treated carpet discs and allowed to remain on the discs 4 hours. The discs were subsequently removed from the cylinder with long forceps and placed on a pedestal in a covered enamel pan containing ca 2 cm of water. Live fleas jumped off the carpet into the water and were counted. Dead fleas on the carpet were counted. Control mortality was corrected by Abbott’s Formula.