Laboratory and field evaluations of hydramethylnon bait formulations for control of American and German cockroaches (Orthoptera: Blattellidae).

Abstract

Hydramethylnon, an amidinohydrazone pesticide, was evaluated in bait formulations for control of American, Periplaneta americana (L.), and German, Blattella germanica (L.), cockroaches. In German cockroach-infested apartments, 12 small (25 cm2) 1.65% hydramethylnon bait trays per kitchen were required to provide control for 6 months posttreatment. A second field study with German cockroaches confirmed the efficacy of the 12 bait tray per kitchen rate and identified a 1.90% hydramethylnon paste bait formulation as equally effective. When the paste bait was applied at a heavy rate (0.45–0.60 g per kitchen), significantly higher percent control of German cockroaches was achieved. In simulated kitchens, large (56 cm2) bait trays provided 50% mortality of American cockroaches at 1.5 weeks posttreatment and 90% mortality at 3.5 weeks. Vertical placement of the bait trays significantly reduced efficacy.