Control of fleas on pets and in homes by use of imidacloprid or lufenuron and a pyrethrin spray
Dryden, M.W.; Perez, H.R.; Ulitchny, D.M.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 215(1): 36-39
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 10397062 Document Number: 499021
Totals of 37 dogs and 19 cats from 34 Ctenocephalides felis-infested households were used to evaluate imidacloprid and the combination of lufenuron and pyrethrin to control flea infestations. Pets in group 1 were treated topically with imidacloprid on day 0, then once a month for 90 days. Pets in group 2 were given lufenuron orally on day 0 and then at monthly intervals for 90 days and also were treated topically with a pyrethrin spray every 1 to 2 weeks. Flea numbers in homes were assessed using intermittent light traps, and flea burdens on pets were assessed using visual area counts. One application of imidacloprid reduced flea burdens on pets by 96 and 93.5% on days 7 and 28, respectively, compared with day-0 burdens. Following 3 applications, flea burdens on pets and in homes were reduced by 98.8 and 99.9%, respectively. Lufenuron and pyrethrin spray reduced flea numbers on pets by 48.9 and 91.1% on days 7 and 28, respectively. By the end of the study, this combination reduced flea burdens on pets and in homes by 99.2 and 99.7%, respectively. It is concluded that topical administration of imidacloprid or oral administration of lufenuron along with a topically applied pyrethrin spray are effective in eliminating fleas on pets and in homes. Flea control can be achieved with topical application of adulticides or oral administration of insect growth regulators without concomitant treatment of the surroundings.