Impact of an orally administered insect growth regulator (lufenuron) on flea infestations of dogs in a controlled simulated home environment

Objective - To evaluate the ability of lufenuron to control cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) populations on dogs under conditions simulating a naturally infested home environment. Design - 2 treatment and 2 control groups of dogs. Treated dogs received lufenuron in tablet form monthly, and controls received excipient. Dogs had unrestricted access to indoor (carpeted) and outdoor (grassy) environments in which self-propagating flea populations had been established. Animals - 17 adult female Beagles. Procedure - Dogs were monitored for 77 days after initial infestation with fleas and 70 days after initial treatment. Efficacy of the drug was calculated on the basis of absolute reduction in flea counts and as a percentage of control. Results - Lufenuron administration caused a statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in flea burdens in treated dogs, compared with controls. Initiation of treatment 7 days after infestation resulted in 75% control of F₁-generation and 97% control of F₂-generation fleas over a 70 day posttreatment period. Conclusions - Lufenuron was highly effective in reducing flea populations on dogs. The time required for control will vary with the duration (generation time) of the flea reproductive cycle and, hence, the geographic area in which the product will be used. The experimental results are most relevant to use of the product for control of an existing flea population in the Midwest.