Mw. Dryden et al., Control of fleas on naturally infested dogs and cats and in private residences with topical spot applications of fipronil or imidacloprid, VET PARASIT, 93(1), 2000, pp. 69-75
Thirty-four flea-infested dogs and cats residing in 20 homes in Tampa, FL w
ere randomly placed into 1 of 2 treatment groups during the summer of 1997.
Pets were treated topically with either 10.0% w/v imidacloprid or 10% w/v
fipronil spot-on on day 0, then once for every 28-30 days for 90 days. Flea
populations were assessed in the environment using an intermittent-light t
rap, while pet flea burdens were assessed using visual area counts. A singl
e application of imidacloprid was 95.3 and 97.4% effective in reducing flea
populations on pets at 7 and 28 days, respectively. A single application o
f fipronil was 97.5 and 97.0% effective in reducing flea populations on pet
s at the same time points. Following 3 monthly applications of either imida
cloprid or fipronil, flea burdens on pets were reduced by 99.5 and 96.5%, r
espectively. In addition, flea numbers in the in-home environment were redu
ced by 99.0 and 98.6% in homes, where pets were treated with imidacloprid o
r fipronil, respectively. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve
d.