Flea trap

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Flea trap in the shape of an egg, so-called "flea egg" (probably made from Coquilla nut, late 19th century)
Chinese bamboo flea trap (approx. 1751-1850)

A flea trap refers to simple to complex devices and utensils with which fleas and other vermin are to be caught and killed.

Simple flea traps

In the relevant specialist forums and magazines, there is often the advice to set up flat plates in the household in the event of a flea infestation, in which a little water with washing-up liquid should then be filled. A small tealight candle is positioned in the middle of the plate. This simple flea trap is then placed on the floor of the infested room, but at a safe distance from furniture , curtains and other flammable objects and materials. The fleas are attracted by the heat, light, and carbon monoxide emitted by the candle. With the detergent, the water has lost all surface tension, so that the flea goes under and drowns.

Baroque flea traps

Flea traps were quite widespread in the upper classes in the epochs (especially in the Baroque era ) when even high ranks rarely washed or bathed from head to toe (washing was considered harmful to health, see bathing culture ). The vermin spread to all levels of the population , especially after the bathhouses had gone down ; a connection with hygiene was not seen at the time.

The flea traps were made of ivory , had a loop to hang on and were a few inches long; the shape was different. They were known in China for a long time. The bamboo or ivory tube was warmed and placed in bed before going to bed. Lured by it, the bugs etc. crept in and were then disposed of in a bucket of boiling water. More elaborate methods were used until the late nineteenth century. The containers could be unscrewed so that a small rag could be inserted, which was soaked with honey, blood, resin and also with various scents to attract the fleas. If these were trapped, they stuck there. These containers were worn under clothing and also under the wigs or hairpieces customary at the time or hung around the neck in the neckline.

The zibellino , a late medieval fur scarf in the shape of an animal, was also assigned the property of a flea trap (see → flea fur ). In Siberia, shirts made from rabbit skins are said to have been popular as practical flea traps because they were easy to shake out.

literature

Web links

Commons : Flea Traps  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Günther Schiedlausky: How to catch fleas . Pp. 26-38.
  2. ↑ Francis Weiss : The flea fur - a ticklish thing. In: Pelz International. Volume 32, April 1979, ISSN  0171-533X , pp. 178, 180, 182.
  3. ↑ Without author's name: tobacco goods fair in Kharkov - contribution to the history of the tobacco shops . In: Der Rauchwarenmarkt No. 41, October 9, 1936, Verlag Dr. Paul Schöps, Leipzig, p. 5.