Bamboo flea trap, China, 1751-1850

Made:
1751-1850 in China
Bamboo flea trap, Chinese, 1751-1850

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Bamboo flea trap, Chinese, 1751-1850
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bamboo flea trap, Chinese, 1751-1850

The inner tube of this bamboo trap was coated with a sticky substance such as birdlime to catch fleas. It can be removed to dispose of the dead fleas. Other Chinese traps were made from hollow pieces of bamboo or ivory and heated to attract fleas. They could be placed in beds to catch these insects, which bite and cause intense itching. Fleas are known to be carriers of diseases such as plague.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A626440
Materials:
bamboo
Measurements:
overall: 293 mm x 61 mm, 51 mm, .18kg
type:
insect trap