title: Use of a chitin synthesis inhibitor to control fleas on wild rodents important in the maintenance of plague, Yersinia pestis, in California.
abstract: A study was designed to test the insect development inhibitors fluazuron and lufenuron for the control of fleas on sylvatic rodents as an adjunct to the control of plague. Historical data of flea burden from 15 prior years of study at Chuchupate Campground, Ventura County, CA, were compared to six years of treatment period data to determine if fluazuron and lufenuron were effective in controlling flea densities. The insect development inhibitors, delivered systemically via a feed cube, reduced flea loads effectively on California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi), long-eared woodrats (Neotoma macrotis), and mice (Peromyscus spp.) but not on Merriam's chipmunks (Tamias merriami).
authors.affiliation: Vector-Borne Disease Section, California Department of Public Health, 342 Tyrus Court, Nipomo, CA 93444, USA.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cleugh
authors.forename: Randall T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Curtis L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Fritz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001549:Benzamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002686:Chitin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010930:Plague / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology*; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000187:drug effects*; D015010:Yersinia pestis; D005466:Fluorocarbons
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D002686:Chitin; D007306:Insecticides; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; C070364:fluphenacur; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C104929:fluazuron