The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-02
REMEDIES FOR FLEAS.


cat feas, become one of the most trouble
some of household enemies. Numerous
remedies have been recommended for rid
ding houses and animal pets Of thesee
pests, but these remedies have not proved
effective under all circumstances. The d.
vision of entomology recommends thor
ough sweeping and cleaning of floors and
walls, the disuse of permanent carpets
and mattings and their replacement with
rugs, which are to be removed and beaten
at frequent intervals. 1t is also recon-
mended by this division that infested
capets and other such materiau be busted
with pyrethrum or sprinkled with benzine
and that this substance be also applied
to floors and infested rooms. Failing in
these measures, the removal of carpets
and thorough scrubbing with hot soap
suds are recommended by the division.
In some experiments made in Scotland
by R. S. McDougell it was found desir-
able to cleanse all dog kennels with soap
lime wash, to wash the dogs and cats
with sospsuds and then sprinkle them
thoroughly with pyrethrum powder The
use of creolinated water in a ten per cent
solution was also found to be very effect
destroying these insects upon dogs.
At the Vermont station considerable
success was had in sprinkling infested
animals and kennels with kerosene emul-
sion but this remedy is not applicable
In households on account OF the disagree
able odor.
In experiments at the New Hamp-
shire station it was found that creolin
was the most satisfactory remedy. This
may be used in a diluted form as a dis
infectant. deodorant. insecticide and re-
pellant 1t was found that three per
cent solution was strong enough for any
ordinary purposes Infested dogs and
cats may be thoroughly washed with the
mixture, which may be Made slightly
weaker for cats on account of the greater
sensItiveness of the fur of this animal.
The animals may also be dipped in the
solution. Commercial creolin may be
purchased at drug stores for about %
cents per pint A three per cent mixture
with water may be made by adding four
teaspoonfuls OF creolin TO quart of water
or four tablespoonfuls to a gallon. A
two per cent solution is obtained by adj
ding two teaspoonfuls to the gallon of
water. When thoroughly shaken the mix
ture is ready for use. The mixture may
be applied to the animal with the hands
or brush, or. as already suggested, the
animal may be submerged in the solu-
ton. This latter process should be pro-
longed for about five minutes and the
animal requires no further care or treat
ment after the application. This treat
ment not only destroys the feas, but
serves as a deodorizer.
In treating floors II is recommended
that all unnecessary material be removed;
the cracks and crevices should be scrub
bed with FIVE per cent solution of creo-
lin. The bedding OF animal pets infested
with Heas should be thoroughly satura-
solution of creolin.
Two other remedies which are quite ef
fective against feas have been recon-
mended with some reservation. but these
remedies are perhaps too dangerous for
general use IN households. Reference is
had to fumigation with bishulphide OF
carbon and hydrocyanic acid.
In combating this insect II should al |
ways be remembered. as the division of
entomology Of the department points out !
that the infeststion of houses is due 10
the presence Of iea-infested dogs or cats. |
which are allowed to occupy some por-
ton OF the house during part or all OF
the time. F1ess normally live as parasites !
upon the animals which they infest. or
upon man. but eggs which are laid by the |
by the parasite adult insects may fall |
upon the noor or carpets OF houses and !
after Matching may live for an indehni- |
tive period upon the material which !
naturally accumulates under carpets and |
in the cracks OF floors In Kidding house !
OF 1ess attention should be directed first |
to treatment Of the dogs and cats from /
which infestation arises This treatment |
II done in a Thorough manner. will rid |
the animal pets OF feas and VIII prevent |
the reiufeStment OF the household after /
a thorough Application of insecticide |
methods. as discussed above. has been I
given 70 the infected premises