We collected fleas from colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, 2020-2021. Specifically, we tested fipronil grain for flea control on two colonies: Colony A in 2020 and Colony B in 2021. To assess on-host flea numbers (in 2020 and 2021), we anesthetized trapped prairie dogs (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. To assess off-host flea numbers (in 2021), we used a plumber’s cable to insert a 20- by 20-centimeter flannel-cloth as deep as possible into burrow tunnels. We then shook the cable for 30 seconds to imitate movement by a host. We removed the cloth from the burrow and counted detected fleas. Total flea counts from individual prairie dogs or burrows were considered an index of flea abundance. The first data set (Fleas 2020.csv) includes data from captures and combings of individual prairie dogs in 2020 and the second data set (Fleas 2021.csv) includes data from captures and combings of individual prairie dogs and swabbing of individual burrows in 2021. Funding and logistical support were provided by the US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; National Park Service; US Forest Service; and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

We collected fleas from black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) on Buffalo Gap National Grassland and Badlands National Park, South Dakota, 2020-2022. We anesthetized trapped prairie dogs (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. Total flea counts from individual prairie dogs were considered an index of flea abundance. During 2018-2020, we provided prairie dogs on 21 sites with grain bait, laced with fipronil (0.005% by weight) by placing 1/2 cup or 1/4 cup of grain at each prairie dog burrow opening on the treated sites; 18 non-treated sites functioned as experimental baselines. In 2020–2022, we live-trapped, anesthetized, and combed prairie dogs for fleas. The data release contains two spreadsheets. The first spreadsheet (FipronilNoneComparison.csv) includes data from captures and combings of individual prairie dogs on treated and non-treated sites and lists the following information for each prairie dog: DATE (date of sampling), TREATMENT (fipronil grain or none), and FLEAS (the number of fleas combed from the prairie dog). These data were used to evaluate the effect of fipronil grain on prairie dog fleas. The second spreadsheet (DaysSinceFipronil.csv) includes data from captures and combings of prairie dogs on the treated sites only, in 2020 and 2022 (when decent numbers of fleas were found on prairie dogs at the treated sites), and lists the following information for each prairie dog: YEAR (2020 or 2022), DAYSSINCE (days since fipronil grain treatment), and FLEAS (the number of fleas combed from the prairie dog). These data were used to evaluate rebounding flea numbers on the treated sites over time (under the question, how long does it take for flea numbers to rebound on sites treated with fipronil grain?). Day of sampling was not included in this analysis, because that variable would have been confounded with DAYSSINCE.

We collected fleas from black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) on Buffalo Gap National Grassland and Badlands National Park, South Dakota, 2020-2022. We anesthetized trapped prairie dogs (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. Total flea counts from individual prairie dogs were considered an index of flea abundance. During 2018-2020, we provided prairie dogs on 21 sites with grain bait, laced with fipronil (0.005% by weight) by placing 1/2 cup or 1/4 cup of grain at each prairie dog burrow opening on the treated sites; 18 non-treated sites functioned as experimental baselines. In 2020–2022, we live-trapped, anesthetized, and combed prairie dogs for fleas. The data release contains two spreadsheets. The first spreadsheet (FipronilNoneComparison.csv) includes data from captures and combings of individual prairie dogs on treated and non-treated sites and lists the following information for each prairie dog: DATE (date of sampling), TREATMENT (fipronil grain or none), and FLEAS (the number of fleas combed from the prairie dog). These data were used to evaluate the effect of fipronil grain on prairie dog fleas. The second spreadsheet (DaysSinceFipronil.csv) includes data from captures and combings of prairie dogs on the treated sites only, in 2020 and 2022 (when decent numbers of fleas were found on prairie dogs at the treated sites), and lists the following information for each prairie dog: YEAR (2020 or 2022), DAYSSINCE (days since fipronil grain treatment), and FLEAS (the number of fleas combed from the prairie dog). These data were used to evaluate rebounding flea numbers on the treated sites over time (under the question, how long does it take for flea numbers to rebound on sites treated with fipronil grain?). Day of sampling was not included in this analysis, because that variable would have been confounded with DAYSSINCE.

We live-trapped black-tailed prairie dogs on Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2020-2021. We anesthetized trapped animals (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. The total flea count from an individual prairie dog was considered an index of flea abundance. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. Data were collected on sites treated with fipronil "FipBit" bait pellets for systemic flea control with prairie dogs. Sites were treated with FipBits containing 0.68, 0.71, or 0.83 milligrams of fipronil per FipBit. The FipBits were applied along transects at a rate of 125/hectare. Data were collected 12 July–2 September 2020 (assessing flea abundance before treatments), 9-23 September 2020 (evaluating flea control over ~1 month) and June–July 2021 (evaluating flea control over 9-10 months). The data set (South Dakota FipBits Fleas 2020-2021.csv) includes data from captures of individual prairie dogs and lists treatment (TREATMENT = 0.68, 0.71, or 0.83 milligrams of fipronil per FipBit), flea abundance (FLEAS), and period of experiment (PERIOD = BEFORE [before treatments], AFTER1 [~1 month post-treatment], and AFTER910 [~9-10 months post-treatment). Funding and logistical support were provided by the US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; National Park Service; US Forest Service; and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

We live-trapped black-tailed prairie dogs on Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2020-2021. We anesthetized trapped animals (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. The total flea count from an individual prairie dog was considered an index of flea abundance. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. Data were collected on sites treated with fipronil "FipBit" bait pellets for systemic flea control with prairie dogs. Sites were treated with FipBits containing 0.68, 0.71, or 0.83 milligrams of fipronil per FipBit. The FipBits were applied along transects at a rate of 125/hectare. Data were collected 12 July–2 September 2020 (assessing flea abundance before treatments), 9-23 September 2020 (evaluating flea control over ~1 month) and June–July 2021 (evaluating flea control over 9-10 months). The data set (South Dakota FipBits Fleas 2020-2021.csv) includes data from captures of individual prairie dogs and lists treatment (TREATMENT = 0.68, 0.71, or 0.83 milligrams of fipronil per FipBit), flea abundance (FLEAS), and period of experiment (PERIOD = BEFORE [before treatments], AFTER1 [~1 month post-treatment], and AFTER910 [~9-10 months post-treatment). Funding and logistical support were provided by the US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; National Park Service; US Forest Service; and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

We collected fleas from a colony of black-tailed prairie dogs on Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2021. We collected flea data by combing prairie dogs and swabbing their burrows for fleas. Regarding combing, we anesthetized trapped prairie dogs (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. Regarding burrow swabbing, we used a plumber’s cable to insert a 20- by 20-centimeter flannel-cloth as deep as possible into burrow tunnels. We then shook the cable for 30 seconds to imitate movement by a host. We removed the cloth from the burrow and counted detected fleas. Total flea counts from individual prairie dogs or burrows were considered an index of flea abundance. Data were collected on four plots treated with lufenuron and nitenpyram "LN-Bit" bait pellets for systemic flea control with prairie dogs. Each LN-Bit contained 75 milligrams lufenuron and 6 milligrams nitenpyram. The LN-Bits were applied at 50 baits/acre on two plots (single treatments) and 100 baits/acre on two plots (two treatments separated by four weeks). The initial treatments were completed on 23 August 2021. The second application (on the latter two plots) was completed on 22 September 2021. Combing flea data were collected 2-21 August 2021 (before treatments) and 27 August–10 September 2021 (after initial treatments). Swabbing flea data were collected 15-17 August 2021 (before treatments) and 15-17 November 2021 (after initial treatments). The first data set (LNBit Combing Data.csv) includes data from captures and combings of individual prairie dogs and lists treatment (TREATMENT = LN50 [50 baits/acre once] or LN100 [100 baits/acre twice]), period of experiment (PERIOD = BEFORE [before treatments] or AFTER [after initial treatments]), and flea abundance (FLEAS). The second data set (LNBit Swabbing Data.csv) includes data from swabbing of individual burrrows and lists treatment (TREATMENT = LN50 [50 baits/acre once] or LN100 [100 baits/acre twice]), period of experiment (PERIOD = BEFORE [before treatments] or AFTER [after initial treatments]), and flea abundance (FLEAS).

We collected fleas from a colony of black-tailed prairie dogs on Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2021. We collected flea data by combing prairie dogs and swabbing their burrows for fleas. Regarding combing, we anesthetized trapped prairie dogs (and their fleas) with isoflurane in induction chambers for processing. We combed each individual with a fine-tooth comb for 30 seconds to remove and count fleas. We released all animals, after they were recovered from anesthesia, at the location where they were captured. Regarding burrow swabbing, we used a plumber’s cable to insert a 20- by 20-centimeter flannel-cloth as deep as possible into burrow tunnels. We then shook the cable for 30 seconds to imitate movement by a host. We removed the cloth from the burrow and counted detected fleas. Total flea counts from individual prairie dogs or burrows were considered an index of flea abundance. Data were collected on four plots treated with lufenuron and nitenpyram "LN-Bit" bait pellets for systemic flea control with prairie dogs. Each LN-Bit contained 75 milligrams lufenuron and 6 milligrams nitenpyram. The LN-Bits were applied at 50 baits/acre on two plots (single treatments) and 100 baits/acre on two plots (two treatments separated by four weeks). The initial treatments were completed on 23 August 2021. The second application (on the latter two plots) was completed on 22 September 2021. Combing flea data were collected 2-21 August 2021 (before treatments) and 27 August–10 September 2021 (after initial treatments). Swabbing flea data were collected 15-17 August 2021 (before treatments) and 15-17 November 2021 (after initial treatments). The first data set (LNBit Combing Data.csv) includes data from captures and combings of individual prairie dogs and lists treatment (TREATMENT = LN50 [50 baits/acre once] or LN100 [100 baits/acre twice]), period of experiment (PERIOD = BEFORE [before treatments] or AFTER [after initial treatments]), and flea abundance (FLEAS). The second data set (LNBit Swabbing Data.csv) includes data from swabbing of individual burrrows and lists treatment (TREATMENT = LN50 [50 baits/acre once] or LN100 [100 baits/acre twice]), period of experiment (PERIOD = BEFORE [before treatments] or AFTER [after initial treatments]), and flea abundance (FLEAS).

We live-trapped and sampled black-tailed prairie dogs in Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2017-2020. Sampling occurred on sites treated with 0.005% fipronil grain for flea control and plague mitigation, and non-treated sites functioning as experimental baselines. Prairie dogs were trapped, sexed, aged (adult or juvenile by size), weighed to the nearest 5 grams, and marked with ear tags for permanent identification. The length of each prairie dog's right hind foot was measured to the nearest millimeter, and the animal's body condition was indexed as a mass:foot ratio. We evaluated effects of fipronil grain on prairie dog body condition, monthly and annual survival, and reproduction. The first data set (Fipronil 2017 Body Condition.csv) includes information from a before-after-control-impact (BACI) experiment on fipronil grain and prairie dog body condition in 2017. The second data set (Fipronil 2018 Body Condition.csv) includes similar information from a BACI experiment in 2018. The third data set (Fipronil 2018 Monthly Survival.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and individual prairie dog monthly survival in 2018. The fourth data set (Fipronil 2018-2019 Annual Survival.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and individual prairie dog annual survival from 2018-2019. The fifth data set (Fipronil 2020 Reproduction.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and prairie dog reproduction in 2020. Funding and logistical support were provided by the National Park Service; US Fish and Wildlife Service; US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; US Forest Service; Colorado State University; World Wildlife Fund; and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

We live-trapped and sampled black-tailed prairie dogs in Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2017-2020. Sampling occurred on sites treated with 0.005% fipronil grain for flea control and plague mitigation, and non-treated sites functioning as experimental baselines. Prairie dogs were trapped, sexed, aged (adult or juvenile by size), weighed to the nearest 5 grams, and marked with ear tags for permanent identification. The length of each prairie dog's right hind foot was measured to the nearest millimeter, and the animal's body condition was indexed as a mass:foot ratio. We evaluated effects of fipronil grain on prairie dog body condition, monthly and annual survival, and reproduction. The first data set (Fipronil 2017 Body Condition.csv) includes information from a before-after-control-impact (BACI) experiment on fipronil grain and prairie dog body condition in 2017. The second data set (Fipronil 2018 Body Condition.csv) includes similar information from a BACI experiment in 2018. The third data set (Fipronil 2018 Monthly Survival.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and individual prairie dog monthly survival in 2018. The fourth data set (Fipronil 2018-2019 Annual Survival.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and individual prairie dog annual survival from 2018-2019. The fifth data set (Fipronil 2020 Reproduction.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and prairie dog reproduction in 2020. Funding and logistical support were provided by the National Park Service; US Fish and Wildlife Service; US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; US Forest Service; Colorado State University; World Wildlife Fund; and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Flea abundance and body condition data for black-tailed prairie dogs on sites treated and not treated with “FipBit” fipronil pellets. We sampled prairie dogs at Conata Basin, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, and Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA. We sampled fleas from live-trapped prairie dogs during June–October 2018, May–October 2019, and July-August 2020. Prairie dogs were sampled before and after FipBit treatments. We anesthetized each prairie dog with isoflurane and combed it thoroughly for 30 seconds to dislodge fleas, which fell into a plastic bin. Fleas were counted and allowed to recover from anesthesia and placed back on prairie dogs, to minimize any removal effect. We weighed prairie dogs with spring scales (grams) and measured their right hind feet with measuring tapes (millimeters). We indexed prairie dog body condition as mass:foot ratios. Effects of FipBits on flea abundance and prairie dog condition were assessed during a short-term experiment (2018) and a long-term experiment (2018-2020).