The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-11
CURE FOR FLEAS: A PET DOG,
OFFICIAL ADVICE on 4 DOMES.
TIC PROBLEM OF THE DAY.
Epideniics Of Fleas in Several Cities Bex
ported TO the Agricultural Depart.
ment. which Explains Why a Pet DOG
0rCat Should BE Remedy for the pcst

L n
ment, which Explains Why Pet DOG
or Cat Should BE Remedy for the Pos,
WARRINGTON, Sept. 1O-Are there Aeas
in your house? The Agricultural Depart-
| ment, which takes an interest in all suoh
things, will not be surprised IL there ars.
| for epidenics of feas atflict Washington
and several other cities
According to the way one Of the experts
Of the Bureau OF Entomology works il out.
such epidemics are likely to occur in warm.
damp weather. The dampness moistens
things that the young feas like to eat, and
when there Is an excess Of summer hu-
midity they thrive. When the summer ia
dry they die.
Fleas are pretty nearly everywhere in
summer. They are found indoors as well
as out. The idea that their presence IL
due to dogs, cats or other pet animals
isn't entirely correct. In fact, strange a.
1t may seem, the nuisance is much greater
in a flea inflicted house that doesn't harbor
a dog or cat.
There is a philosophy in this. Fleas
prefer the lower hairy animals to human
beings, and when any Of the former is
around they are likely to let man alone.
Government official who thinks that he
has solved the flea problem had this to say
on the subject in the light Of pretty thor
ough knowledge Of the habits OF the pes
tiferous insect:
"The young feas feed on blood When
the mother flea bites dog, breaking the
skin, the animal scratches the bitten place
and blood flows. The wound is attacked
by the young. In moist weather the wound
does not heal rapidly and the young thrive
That il the reason, I take 1t, that fleas are
so much more plentiful in moist weather.
They starve in dry weather.
Most Of those who report plague Of heaa
in their houses and ask the Agricultural
Department how 10 exterminate them
attribute the presence Of the insects to
pet animals. At this season of the year.
when people are coming back 70 the cities
from summering places, the complaints are
most frequent
The usual statement Of homecomers 10
that they find their houses full Of heas.
Each supposes that the pet dog. or cat.
boarded out while the house was closed,
brings the pests, and the poor animal is
forthwith given or sent away.
The explanation of those who have stud
led the matter is that. while the original
have been due to the dog. their numbers
and ferocity are not due to his return, but
to his absence. When the house Is closed,
the fleas, not having animal blood to feed
upon: subsist as best they may.
Moist weather keeps bread crumbs and
bits OF food overlooked in the house clean
ing in a soft condition, and the fleas feod
upon them. When the family returns and,
nnding the house overrun with feas, gets
rid Of the dog the wicked biters naturally
attack the humans. Then the Agricul-
tural Department hears cries for help.
The way to get rid Of feas is to keep
pet animals in the house. the experts Say.
A dog is probably better than a cat, for his
body usually presents a larger surface for
the feas purposes, and his scratches are
more vigorous than a cats. So there is
a greater supply of fresh blood for tho
young insects.
This curative method is a little hard on
he dog. although David Harum said it
was good thing for dog to have limited
amount of feas II they kept him from brood
ng over the fact that he was a dog.