Residual Efficacy of Tempo 2C (F) and Oftanol 21 on Turf Against Adult Cat Fleas, 1985

Turf grass was sprayed with either 25% Tempo 2C (formulation 1874-C) at rates of 6, 10, 50, 100, 150, and 200 g (AI)/1000 ft2 or 22% Oftanol 21 at rates of 2.6, 5.2 10.4, and 20.8 g (AI)/ 1000 ft2. Both formulations were dissolved in water and were applied with a SureShot 1 qt pressurized hand sprayer, calibrated to deliver 6.7 ml/s at 45 psi, to 12 inch × 70 inch swaths of turf grass. Turf height during the studies was ca. 2 inches. A similar area treated with water only served as a control. After treatment, three 5 gal plastic buckets with the bottoms removed were firmly placed into the soil of each plot. Approximately 25 adult cat fleas were released into each bucket. After 24 h, the number of live adult fleas were determined by placing ones’ hand into each bucket, recording and removing the number of fleas that attached. This procedure was repeated until 3 consecutive hand samples were negative for the presence of fleas. The buckets were then removed from the area. Turf plots were reinfested and evaluated weekly as described above. Residual testing of both compounds was terminated when the efficacy in the treated plots fell below 80%.