Tests of Repellents Against Diamanus Montanus (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae)

Oil of sassafras, oil of pennyroyal, diethyltoluamide (deet) and ethyl hexanediol were tested on white mice as repellents against the flea Diamanus montanus in a parallel-line bioassay study. Relative potencies of the test repellents against Diamanus montanus were 3.59, 1.26, 1.00 and 0.27, respectively. Concentrations of 0.14, 0.41, 0.51 and 1.91% were required to provide 95% protection. Commercial products containing diethyltoluamide and ethyl hexanediol are currently available for use by public health workers, researchers and others who may come into contact with Diamanus montanus .