Rat flea control measures

Rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) is a parasite of rodents primarily of the genus Rattus
It is responsible for the transmission of many diseases like plague and rickettsial diseases
These diseases can be controlled by utilising flea control measures
- Insecticides
  - DDT is the most commonly used insecticide against rat fleas
  - It is sprayed as powder form in areas frequented by rats and their burrows
  - Spraying should be done on the floor and on the walls up to a height of 1 foot
  - The DDT powder gets adhered to the fur coat of rats and kill the fleas
  - In areas where plague is endemic, fleas have acquired resistance to DDT and BHC
  - In these areas, malathion or carbaryl can be used
  - Other host animals like cats and dogs and their premises should also be treated with insecticide dusts or sprays
- Repellants
  - Diethyl toluamide is a good flea repellent
  - Clothes treated with it repel fleas up to 1 week
  - Benzyl benzoate can also be used as repellent
- Rodent control measures
  - Rodent control measures should be used along with flea control measures to get maximum benefit