Effective Flea Control Research Articles

Evaluation of a topical sarolaner-selamectin combination to control flea populations on naturally infested cats in private residences in West Central Florida

Historic data show that home flea infestations can be managed by treating all animals on the premises with a highly effective flea control product. The use of effective products has also been shown to reduce pruritus and minimize dermatologic lesions in both cats and dogs. Therefore, an in-home study was conducted in West Central Florida USA to evaluate the efficacy of a topically applied selamectin-sarolaner formulation to control fleas in naturally infested cats over a 12-week period. Thirty-seven cats in 21 households were treated once monthly with the selamectin-sarolaner topical solution. In the topical fluralaner treatment (positive control) group, forty-three cats in 20 households were treated once on day 0. A combined total of thirty dogs in both groups were treated once monthly with oral sarolaner. Fleas on cats were counted by flea combing, fleas on dogs were counted using visual area counts and fleas in the indoor premises were assessed using intermittent-light flea traps. Blinded-assessments of feline dermatologic lesions (modified-SCORFAD) were conducted monthly by a boarded-dermatologist and pruritus severity was evaluated by pet owners. Three consecutive monthly treatments of selamectin-sarolaner reduced flea populations on cats by 96.3 % within 7 days and by 100% from week 6 to the end of the 12-week study. The topical application of fluralaner reduced flea populations by 98.1 % within 7 days and efficacy reached 100% by week 12. At the end of the study, fleas were completely eradicated (from cats, dogs and homes) in every home regardless of treatment group. Owner reported cat pruritus was reduced by > 87 % in both treatment groups by week 12. Significant improvements in dermatologic lesion scores (> 81 %) were achieved by both products by the end of the study. Monthly applications of topical selamectin-sarolaner or topical fluralaner to cats living in the heavy flea challenge environment of West Central Florida USA were effective in eradicating flea infestations, reducing pruritus and improving dermatologic lesions.

Flea infestation case report: was the house or the cat responsible?

Fleas are a source of repulsion, distress and irritation for pet owners worldwide. Fleas additionally can cause flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) in susceptible pets, as well as having the potential to transmit vector-borne diseases. Control of household flea infestations is therefore vital but can be challenging, with a number of factors possibly leading to failure of flea control. This case demonstrates the need for accurate history taking, flea genus/species identification, and implementation of an effective flea control strategy to eliminate an existing infestation in an owner's home.

Advances in Flea Control

With an increase in our knowledge of flea life cycle and biology, flea control has improved tremendously over the past 10 years. Treatment programs should be tailored to each case. The goal of effective flea control is to eliminate adults and to prevent reinfestation and the development of new generations of fleas. New products are of great benefit to flea-infested and flea-allergic animals and allow a safe and effective way to control fleas. Even if the consistent use of a topical adulticide alone is tempting, rotation and a combination of products should still be used to delay resistance. In addition, environmental flea control is a wise approach, especially in cases of severe infestation or in situations where there is a flea-allergic animal. Finally, in order to avoid failures and resistance, it is important to treat all pets in the household.

Effects of azadirachtin on Ctenocephalides felis in the dog and the cat

Azadirachtin-containing neem seed extract is a powerful insect growth regulator, a feeding deterrent and repellent with low toxicity. Unfortunately, azadirachtin degrades rapidly in light, excessive heat or alkalinity. Evaluations of azadirachtin on ectoparasites on animals have been scarce. The purpose of this work was to describe the effects of normal and potentiated azadirachtin on Ctenocephalides felis in the dog or cat. Groups of kennelled greyhounds and domestic cats infested with C. felis were sprayed once with azadirachtin containing neem seed extract with or without diethyltoluamide (Deet) and/or citronella. Methanolic extracts with 200, 1000 or 2400 ppm azadirachtin reduced fleas in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with fleas counted on treated dogs just before treatment and untreated infested dogs, 1000–2400 ppm azadirachtin reduced fleas 93–53% for 19 days. However, combined with 500 ppm Deet and 33% w/v citronella, only 500 ppm azadirachtin reduced fleas 95–62% for 20 days. On cats inoculated with 50 fleas 2 days before treatment, the combination reduced fleas and eggs 100% to day 6 and 83–51% from days 7 to 9. On petri dishes, the combination achieved 100% egg mortality up to day 7 and 80% to day 14 and 48–52% to days 21–28. Deet, with or without neem seed extract or citronella, and citronella, with or without neem, did not reduce fleas significantly. The results show that azadirachtin reduced fleas in a dose-dependent manner in flea-contaminated environments. In cats, the combination killed most fleas within 24 h, providing effective flea control for 7 days. The results suggest that Deet with citronella potentiated the effect of azadirachtin on C. felis.

Dichlorvos bait for control of fleas on wild rodents.

Dichlorvos impregnated in polyvinyl chloride granules coated with rodent bait was evaluated as a vapor toxicant for control of fleas on several rodent species in 2 field tests conducted in southeast New Mexico. In the 1st test, the application of 22.8 g/ha actual dichlorvos throughout a 6.3-ha grid resulted in control of fleas by 18 days posttreatment. In the 2nd test, the application of 385.1 g/ha actual dichlorvos throughout a 15.8-ha grid resulted in control of fleas, but not until after 43 days posttreatment. In both tests, effective flea control was demonstrated only on Dipodomys spectabilis , probably because of its habit of storing food extensively in its burrow. The D. spectabilis flea populations in the treated areas showed no significant recovery until about 1 year later. Some control of fleas was demonstrated on D. ordii in the 2nd test, although to a lesser extent than on D. spectabilis . Flea control was not demonstrated on the other rodent species involved in these tests, probably because they did not store sufficient quantities of the vapor toxicant in their burrows.

Field evaluations of dichlorvos as a vapor toxicant for control of prairie dog fleas.

Three field trials of 18.6% dichlorvos-impregnated plastic pellets applied in prairie dog burrows for flea control were conducted in southeast New Mexico. In the 1st test, the application of approximately 28 g of pellets into each burrow opening within a 4.7-ha section of a large prairie dog colony (336.4 g/ha actual dichlorvos) resulted in effective flea control. Flea indices were depressed in less than 16 hr, and remained depressed through 14 days posttreatment. A 2nd test, utilizing a dosage rate of about 14g of pellets per burrow opening in a 3.3-ha plot (215.7 g/ha actual dichlorvos) resulted in a similar initial reduction of fleas within the burrows. In a replication of the 28-g treatment, similarly immediate and effective flea control was demonstrated with an application rate of 268.7 g/ha actual dichlorvos throughout a 6.3-ha plot.