The use of phoxim and bendiocarb for control of fleas in farmed mink (Mustela vison)

BACKGROUND: Fleas (Ceratophyllus sciurorum) are common on farmed mink in Denmark. When present, the fleas have a negative impact on the health of the farmed mink and are of nuisance for farm staff. Severe infestations of fleas cause anemia, poor growth and may result in death of mink kits. Changed behavior of the dams is also observed. Further it has been demonstrated that the fleas are vectors of Aleutian disease virus. Flea control is based on use of a few insecticides and resistance has been reported against permethrin. There is thus a need for new flea control products. In this blinded, randomized clinical trial according to GCP standard, phoxim spray and bendiocarb powder for flea control on mink farms were investigated. RESULTS: Both the phoxim spray solution and bendiocarb powder were found to be efficient for the control of C. sciurorum fleas on farmed mink. Phoxim treatments reduced the number of fleas by 98.4% and the bendiocarb treatments reduced the number of fleas by 99.0% in the mink nest boxes when compared to counts in controls. No clinical signs were observed post treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that phoxim sprayed on the animals and the use of bendiocarb powder in the nest box material were highly efficient for the control of the C. sciurorum fleas on farmed mink. Both products were safe to use at the recommended dose rate. Both compounds are recommended to be integrated in a new farm management plan suggested here.