title: Accumulation and persistence of flea larvicidal activity in the immediate environment of cats treated with imidacloprid.
abstract: To investigate the persistence of flea larvicidal activity in the immediate environment of cats treated with imidacloprid, eggs of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis Bouché (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), from untreated donor cats, were incubated on samples of fleece blanket taken from the floor of cages used by treated or untreated cats for a total of 10 or 20 6-h periods over 2-4 weeks, respectively. Sufficient imidacloprid accumulated during these periods to reduce the emergence of adult fleas by 94.7-97.6% when the blankets were tested after 18 weeks' storage at room temperature. A typical laundry procedure (washing with detergent at 50 degrees C and low temperature tumble drying) removed this biological activity. Unwashed control blankets did not support the flea life-cycle as effectively as washed blankets or a sand substrate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Herts, UK. djacobs@rvc.ac.uk
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stanneck
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mencke
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000592:standards; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D011897:Random Allocation; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D007306:Insecticides; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; C082359:imidacloprid