Field Trial of Commodore and Nylar, 1994-1995

Abstract

Abstract A one-year field test determined the relative efficacy of a mixture of a neurotoxic insecticide + synergist + juvenoid against German cockroach populations. The Munsyana Homes, a multi-family public housing complex located in Muncie, Ind., served as the test site; individual apartments served as the replicated experimental unit. Sprays were applied using 3.8 liter compressed air sprayers equipped with Multee-jet nozzles. Due to the high cockroach populations and poor sanitation, a general “clean-out” procedure was followed. All accessible harborage areas throughout the apartment were treated resulting in approximately 0.25 gal of spray used per unit; volumes of spray applied varied due to apartment size and the amount of harborage to treat. The initial treatment consisted of a mixture of Commodore WP, Nylar, and PBO-8 at rates of 0.3, 0.187, and 0.1% AI respectively. Follow-up treatments were made at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 month after the initial treatment and consisted of Commodore at 0.03% and Nylar at 0.015%. Population levels were estimated by sticky traps. Kitchen and bathroom areas in each apartment were divided into 6 infestation zones: cabinet above and under kitchen sink, stove, refrigerator, utility room, and behind toilet. One sticky trap was oriented horizontally in each zone. Trap catch was recorded after 24 h; a minimum pretreatment count of 2 cockroaches per trap was required for any apartment to be considered as a test. Seventeen apartments were used, but posttreatment counts varied. Trap sites were sampled before insecticide application (0 wk) and at intervals thereafter (0 wk, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12 month). Analysis of data followed an analysis among time model. To determine whether or not a % reduction in trap catch and a % twisted-wing adults changed following treatment, a Kruskal-Wallis signed rank test (P = 0.05) was used.