**Author details**

Animals within each farm were randomly inspected and fleas, if present, were counted every week for a minimum period of one month (Figure 4). Controls, untreated animals, were not used (accepted by the WAAVP guidelines) for both ethical reasons and because the aim of the study was to eliminate fleas from the farm premises. Practically no fleas were found during the post-treatment period. In more details, the mean (±sd) number of fleas before and after the Deltamethrin treatment were 104.5 (±12.6) and 3.6 (±2.3 fleas), respectively. The overall success of flea control was >96.6%. The main flea species identified was *Ctenocephalides felis*, which is known to be very common and widespread. These results offer a sustainable approach to flea control in Greece due to the long protection period and if combined with hygienic treatment

In conclusion, Deltamethrin (Butox®, MSD) can be successfully used for farm animal protec‐ tion in control programmes against many arthropods with important vector-borne or nuisance capacity, including midges, ticks, flies and fleas. Effective control of ectoparasites is of major significance, not only for increased animal production and welfare, but for the public health

of the farm premises, may contribute significantly to flea control.

500 Insecticides - Development of Safer and More Effective Technologies

**Figure 4.** The presence of fleas was inspected using a comb

**4. Concluding remarks**

protection as well.

Papadopoulos Elias

Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
