Patent ID: 8728507

Claim:
A method for non-systemically controlling a parasitic insect selected from fleas and lice on a human or animal, said method comprising contacting said parasitic insect with an effective amount therefor of a compound that is an agonist or antagonist of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor in an insect, said compound having the formula II or III: in which n represents 1 or 2; Subst. represents halogen; A and Z together with the nitrogen and carbon atom to which they are bonded form a saturated heterocyclic ring having 5 ring members and no further ring heteroatoms in addition to said nitrogen; E represents an electron-attracting radical; and X represents the radicals —CH═ or —N═, it being possible for the radical —CH═ to be linked to the radical Z instead of a hydrogen atom; wherein said contacting of said parasitic insect with said compound is effected by: a) topically applying said agonist or antagonist to the dermis of said human or animal; or b) contacting the dermis of said human or animal with an article containing said agonist or antagonist; and wherein said contacting of said parasitic insect with said compound does not result in said compound being systemically distributed within said human or animal.