Concentrations of Flea Treatment Insecticides in Prairie Dog Bait Pellets

A collaborative effort with US Fish and Wildlife Services is underway with the goal of reducing the spread of flea contracted plague in prairie dog (Cynomys spp.) colonies across the US. One method of flea reduction being studied involves spreading bait pellets containing insecticides commonly used for flea control around prairie dog habitats. To better understand the effectiveness of the oral bait pellets in prairie dogs, the US Fish and Wildlife Service produced multiple batches of bait pellets containing four insecticides: fipronil, afoxolaner, fluralaner, and spinosad. The USGS Organic Chemistry Research Lab (OCRL) quantified the insecticide active ingredients in the pellets, to determine how closely the measured amount was to the expected amount in each bait pellet. These data can be used to assess consistency of insecticide incorporation in oral baits intended for flea control in prairie dog colonies.