Preliminary Evaluation of Three Systemic Insecticides in Baits for Control of Fleas of Wild Rats and Rabbits

Three systemic insecticides incorporated into the laboratory diet of caged wild rats and rabbits controlled their natural fleas. The lowest concentrations (by weight of insecticide) in treated food that killed all fleas were: (1) cotton rats: fenthion 0.15%, mirex 0.06%, and diazinon 0.03%; (2) kangaroo rats: fenthion 0.015%, mirex 0.06%, and diazinon 0.03%; (3) cottontail rabbits: fenthion 0.03%, mirex 0.12%, and diazinon 0.6%.