Cockroach Control Research Articles

Control of American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) in Municipal Sewage Disposal System, Central Iran

Cockroaches consists of 4000 species, of which 40 species are serious domestic pests. They have involved the mechanical transmission of various pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoans to humans. This study aimed to determine different control methods of P. americana in sewage system of Esfahan City, central Iran using different insecticides recommended by WHO. Totally, 164 manholes with at least more than three cockroaches were selected until 2017 for this study. The species of cockroaches were identified; the adults and nymphs were counted and recorded. Each sewer shaft was assigned to one treatment method in an ascending order of number of cockroaches counted, coding the treatment method with paint on the lower part of the wall near the manhole cover. The manhole shafts were then inspected at 1 and 5 months' post-treatment. Data analyzed by statistical methods. Almost all of the products (Excluding boric acid with bait formulation) resulted in appropriate control within one month of application. The appropriate products for chemical control of cockroaches were the chlorpyrifos 5% Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC), diazinon 5% (EC), diazinon 0.05% (EC) and cypermethrin 5% Fog. These pesticides achieved an optimal reduction of population providing more than 90% control of cockroaches for five consecutive months. The emulsifiable concentrates and fog formulations in the control were more successful compared to other methods and this was penetration deep into the hiding places of cockroaches.

Expansions of key protein families in the German cockroach highlight the molecular basis of its remarkable success as a global indoor pest.

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is a worldwide pest that infests buildings, including homes, restaurants, and hospitals, often living in unsanitary conditions. As a disease vector and producer of allergens, this species has major health and economic impacts on humans. Factors contributing to the success of the German cockroach include its resistance to a broad range of insecticides, immunity to many pathogens, and its ability, as an extreme generalist omnivore, to survive on most food sources. The recently published genome shows that B.germanica has an exceptionally high number of protein coding genes. In this study, we investigate the functions of the 93 significantly expanded gene families with the aim to better understand the success of B.germanica as a major pest despite such inhospitable conditions. We find major expansions in gene families with functions related to the detoxification of insecticides and allelochemicals, defense against pathogens, digestion, sensory perception, and gene regulation. These expansions might have allowed B.germanica to develop multiple resistance mechanisms to insecticides and pathogens, and enabled a broad, flexible diet, thus explaining its success in unsanitary conditions and under recurrent chemical control. The findings and resources presented here provide insights for better understanding molecular mechanisms that will facilitate more effective cockroach control.

Lufenuron kills deltamethrin-resistant Blattella germanica (Blattodea)

Lufenuron is a chitin synthesis inhibitor used for controlling several pest insects. The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is a cosmopolitan insect of medical and economic importance. Resistance to insecticides has been worldwide reported in this species. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of lufenuron in two colonies of B. germanica, one susceptible to insecticides (CIPEIN) and another pyrethroid-resistant (JUBA). Experimental populations from each colony were exposed to filter papers treated with 50 mg of lufenuron/m2. Controls were exposed to filter papers treated with solvent alone. After seven weeks, the average size of both lufenuron-treated populations was 1.33 ± 0.7 individuals, while the average size of control populations were 206.5 ± 39.5 (CIPEIN) and 136.5 ± 43.5 (JUBA) individuals. This drastic effect suggests that lufenuron could be used as an alternative for the control of pyrethroid-resistant German cockroaches. Future studies should explore the toxicity of lufenuron on other populations of B. germanica resistant to pyrethroids or other insecticides

Successful Management of Carbamate Poisoning among Children: Case Report from Gaza Strip

A bad management of pesticide marketing and use resulted in using extreme toxic pesticides inside houses for controlling public health insects such as cockroaches. A child of two years old was poisoned with pesticide residues after application of pesticides at home for cockroach control. The child with a semi-conscious status was brought to the European hospital in south Gaza with his father along with the empty container of pesticide which was used at home. It appeared that Carbaryl (a carbamate insecticide) was the reason for poisoning. In the intensive care unite the child was washed out with clean water and his cloths were removed to reduced the possible hazards. Blood analysis showed that moderate inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) on addition became more sever on due time. Then the child was given several doses of atropine but without any improvement in AChE activity. Then the child was given Obedoxim as an antidote. This resulted in significant improvement of AChE activity. The child continued to receive Obedoxim every day until AChE activity reached the normal range. Blood analysis did not show any traces of Carbaryl. It is recommended to give Obedoxim to the carbamate immediately when someone is poisoned instead of atropine for successful management of the poisoned case.

Efficacy of Waste Biomass Based Tablet Formulation for Cockroach Control

The current paper has elaborated the efficient utilization of house hold botanical waste like OP (orange peel), UTL (used tea leaves) and industrial waste i.e., KCP and JCP (non-edible oil seed cakes of Karanja and jatropha) for developing a herbal tablet formulation for cockroach control. The percentage mortality and KD50 values recorded with and without KCP and JCP were 25.9597, 100% (after 96 h) and 50.6697, 90% (After 96 h). Analysis with ATR-FTIR also confirmed the presence of presence of OP; KCP& JCP in tablet composition. SEM analysis generated the morphological details for the tablet containing active and other inert ingredients.

Identifikasi Boraks pada Lontong Sayur di Sunmor UGM

Background: The number of people in Indonesia led to increased food needs have also increased. This causes a variety of food products appear with different variations to make it more durable, attractive and profitable. Food Additives (BTM) in everyday life has been used by the general public in making food. Since the old borax misused by manufacturers as a food additive, but is actually a function of borax used in non-food industry as a solder material, cleaning agents, wood preservatives, antiseptics, and cockroach control. One of the suspected food is rice cake containing borax. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is borax content in vegetable rice cake that is sold in Sunmor UGM.
 Methods: This research is a descriptive study with qualitative laboratory tests using test paper color saffron. The sample in this study is the rice cake in Sunmor UGM. The data were analyzed descriptively and presented in tables, percentages and narrative.
 Results: The study identified borax on vegetable rice cake at Sunmor UGM many as 13 indicate that the samples tested did not contain borax.
 Conclusion: vegetable rice cake samples at the Sunmor UGM checked 100% negative containing borax.

Isolation of bacteria from the digestive tract of Periplaneta americana and Polyphaga aegyptiaca (Blattodea: Blattidae) in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran

Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests carrying different microorganisms of medical importance. The aim of this research was to isolate, characterise and do a susceptibility profiling using disk diffusion method of bacteria from the digestive tract of Periplaneta americana and Polyphaga aegyptiaca. A total of 139 cockroaches were collected between May and December 2015, in Khuzestan Province of Iran. Bacterial species were isolated from the digestive tract of both P. americana and P. aegyptiaca. Among the 139 cockroaches collected, 126 (90.6%) were found to harbour one or more species of bacteria in their digestive tract. There was significant difference in the overall positivity rates of P. americana (93.6%) and P. aegyptiaca (61.5%) (p < 0.05). Eighteen species of bacteria were isolated from the two species of cockroaches. Antibiotic resistance was found in Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens and Proteus mirabilis isolated from the cockroaches digestive tract. This is the first study where isolation of bacteria with antibiotic resistance to P. aegyptiaca was observed. The findings of the present study revealed and confirmed that P. americana and P. aegyptiaca are important agents in transmission of bacterial pathogens. Health education on control and prevention methods of cockroaches and their role in transmission of diseases in communities especially the study area Dezful County in Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran is recommended.

Single Component Intervention for Cockroach Control Reduces Cockroach Exposure and Asthma Morbidity in Children

Single Component Intervention for Cockroach Control Reduces Cockroach Exposure and Asthma Morbidity in Children

A single intervention for cockroach control reduces cockroach exposure and asthma morbidity in children

Exposure to cockroaches is an important asthmatrigger, particularly for children with asthma living ininner cities. Integrated pest management is the recommended approach to cockroach abatement; however, itis costly and difficult to implement. The impact of reducingcockroach exposure on asthma outcomes is not known. We sought to test the use of a single intervention, insecticidal bait, to reduce cockroach exposure in the home of children with asthma in New Orleans and to examine the impact of cockroach reduction on asthma outcomes. One hundred two children aged 5 to 17years with moderate to severe asthma were enrolled in a 12-month randomized controlled trial testing the use of insecticidal bait on cockroach counts and asthma morbidity. Homes were visited 6 times and asthma symptoms were assessed every 2months. After adjustment, intervention homes had significantly fewer cockroaches than did control homes (mean change in cockroaches trapped, 13.14; 95% CI, 6.88-19.39; P<.01). Children in control homes had more asthma symptoms and unscheduled health care utilization in the previous 2weeks (1.82, 95% CI, 0.14-3.50, P=.03; 1.17, 95% CI, 0.11-2.24, P=.03, respectively) and a higher proportion of children with FEV1 of less than 80% predicted (odds ratio, 5.74; 95% CI, 1.60-20.57; P=.01) compared with children living in intervention homes. Previous research has demonstrated improvement in asthma health outcomes using multifaceted interventions. The strategic placement of insecticidal bait, which is inexpensive, has low toxicity, and is widely available, resulted in sustained cockroach elimination over 12months and was associated with improved asthma outcomes. This single intervention may be an alternative to multifaceted interventions currently recommended to improve asthma morbidity.

A potential insect growth regulator forcockroach control: design, synthesis andbioactivity of N-terminal-modified allatostatin analogues.

The FGLa-allatostatins (ASTs) are a family of neuropeptides that can inhibit juvenile hormone biosynthesis by the corpora allata (CA) in vitro, and therefore they are regarded as insect growth regulator (IGR) candidates for pest control. In our previous studies, an AST mimic, H17, was found to have a significant effect on JH biosynthesis by cockroach CA, both invitro and in vivo. To discover new potential mimics and explore the substituent effect on the inhibition of JH biosynthesis, 30 analogues, modified with various substituents on the benzene ring at the N-terminus of lead compound H17, were designed and synthesised. Their bioactivity in inhibiting JH biosynthesis by the CA of Diploptera punctata and the potency of M9, M10 and M11 in activation of Dippu-AstR were evaluated. All the analogues showed an effect on JH biosynthesis by CA in vitro. M9, M10 and M11 can activate the Dippu-AstR, albeit with much lower potency than that of AST 1. M11 also exhibited improved in vitro activity (IC50 6.98 nm) in comparison with the lead compound H17 (IC50 29.5 nm). In particular, M11 displayed good in vivo activity in inhibiting JH biosynthesis and basal oocyte growth. The structure-activity relationship studies suggest that different positions of substituents on the benzene ring of the cinnamic acid can lead to different activities. The para-substitution on the benzene ring plays an important role in inhibiting JH biosynthesis in vitro. Moreover, M11 is considered to be a potential IGR for cockroach control. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Analysis of 10 Environmental Allergen Components of the American Cockroach in Taiwan

BackgroundCockroaches are important sources of indoor airborne allergens. The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is the second leading inhalant allergen causing allergic airway diseases in Taiwan. We previously reported a difference in pathogenicity of different allergen components from American cockroaches. ObjectiveTo analyze the environmental profile of American cockroach allergen components. MethodsPolyclonal antibodies were generated to recombinant American cockroach allergens, Per a 1 through Per a 10. The levels of each allergen in (1) whole-body extracts and feces from American cockroaches and in (2) fresh-frozen 6-month-old and 12-month-old dead American cockroaches were evaluated by immunoblotting and quantified. Levels of allergen components from patients' household dust samples were determined by competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsPer a 1, 2, and 10 proteins were present predominantly in roach feces, whereas other allergen components were found predominantly in roach bodies. There was a time-dependent decrease in total levels of some allergen proteins. Although levels of Per a 4, 5, 6, and 9 significantly decreased to less 20% of the basal level, there was no significant change in levels of Per a 2, 7, and 10 after 1-year decomposition. The most abundant allergen components in 20 dust samples from patients' houses were Per a 9, Per a 10, and Per a 2. ConclusionThe concentration of 10 American cockroach allergen components differed in the environment. Per a 2 and Per a 10 can be used as markers of long-term environmental cockroach control and Per a 9 as current status of control in patients' houses.

Indoxacarb biotransformation in the German cockroach

Insecticides that are used for pest control undergo physical and biological (enzymatic) degradation. Indoxacarb is an oxadiazine class sodium channel blocker insecticide used for German cockroach (Blattella germanica L.) control. At present, no information is available on enzymatic biotransformation or metabolism of indoxacarb in this important urban pest. We studied the biotransformation pathways of indoxacarb in one susceptible and three field strains with varying susceptibility levels using liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry. As shown in other insect species we found evidence for hydrolase-based bioactivation of indoxacarb to a toxic decarbomethoxylated metabolite, DCJW. In addition, both indoxacarb and DCJW were further metabolized to hydroxy, oxadiazine ring-opened and hydroxylated ring-opened metabolites. In general, higher indoxacarb disappearance, increased formation of DCJW and the above-mentioned metabolites were observed in the three field strains. In vitro biotransformation studies showed that hydroxylated and oxadiazine ring-opened metabolite formation is NADPH/cytochrome P450-dependent. Bioassays and in vivo metabolism experiments using the enzyme-inhibiting insecticide synergists, piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S,-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF), provided insights into potential indoxacarb resistance mechanisms that may proliferate in German cockroach field strains following unchecked selection pressures. The information presented here is an essential step toward developing indoxacarb resistance management programs and also reveals mechanisms of secondary/tertiary indoxacarb toxicity.

Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Zyrox Fly Granular Bait Against Asian and German Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

The Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai Mizukubo) was introduced to Florida in 1986 and has since spread throughout the Southeastern United States. Blattella asahinai is a peridomestic pest and high population densities in residential areas can become a nuisance, especially when adults fly into homes. Few studies to date have been conducted on Asian cockroach control, and we evaluated the efficacy of Zyrox Fly Granular Bait and Maxforce Complete Granular Insect Bait against this species in the laboratory compared with the closely related German cockroach (Blattella germanica (L.)). In no-choice and two-choice assays with both species, Zyrox bait and Maxforce bait achieved nearly 100% mortality within two and five days, respectively. We also tested Zyrox bait against B. asahinai in an invasive field population in North Carolina at the label rate (2 g/m(2)) and at approximately three times the label rate (6.9 g/m(2)), and found that broadcast applications at both rates reduced populations by an average of 64 and 92%, respectively, for 35 d after the initial application. Zyrox Fly Bait appears to be effective against the Asian and German cockroaches, and could be another tool in an integrated pest management program, if its label could be extended or the active ingredient (cyantraniliprole) formulated into a cockroach bait.

Pathogenicity of Aspergillus westerdijkiae to females and oothecae of Periplaneta Americana

ABSTRACT: Cockroach control is performed by the application of chemical insecticides which exert high selective pressure on populations and introduces synthetic substances in the environment, motivating the search for other methods of control such as entomopathogenic fungi. The objectives of this study were to investigate the pathogenicity of the JAB 42 Aspergillus westerdijkiae to females and oothecae of Periplaneta americana and to demonstrate its mechanism of action on oothecae. Suspensions containing 106 to 108 conidia/ml were used to infect females and oothecae. Mortality and other variables such as scanning electron microscopy were used to demonstrate the mechanism of action of the fungus. The isolated JAB 42 A. westerdijkiae is pathogenic to oothecae of P. americana, with low capacity to kill females. Adhesion, germination, penetration and extrusion of the fungus on the cockroach oothecae were observed.

Preferensi Kecoa Amerika Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattaria: Blattidae) terhadap Berbagai Kombinasi Umpan

Currently, most cockroach control in urban environment relies on bait application. Aversion of some commercial bait by cockroach cause failure to control cockroach problems. Developing local bait can improve this situation. This research was aimed to find proper combination of some cockroach diet to be formulated in effective bait. Research was conducted in Department of Plant Protection, Bogor Agricultural University, since November 2007-March 2008. Combination of peanut butter, chicken egg, and strawberry jam seem to be a candidate of effective bait for local cockroach.

野外に生息するマダニ類に対する数種殺虫製剤の防除効果

A field evaluation of the acaricidal effect on ticks was conducted in Chiba Prefecture in 2014. Eleven formulations of organophosphates and pyrethroids, including emulsifiable concentrate (EC), flowable (FL), dust and CO2 gas formulation, were evaluated simultaneously. These formulations were respectively applied to zones 2 m wide by 17–60 m long with dosages between 0.05–0.25 g AI/m2, which are the recommended dosages for cockroach control in buildings. The numbers of ticks collected by the dragging method with flannels were compared between pre- and post-treatment. The genus Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma were captured during the test period. All the formulations drastically suppressed the tick density on day 1. High reduction rates of more than 90% were observed until day 4 in all formulations, and persistence for at least for 31 days was recognized in fenitrothion EC, FL and fenthion dust. Phenothrin CO2 gas formulation that flows in the air with little residue in the soil or on foliage also yielded a long suppression effect at a dosage of 0.05 g AI/m2. Tick infestation from outside the test plot seemed to be feeble after the treatment. These results suggested that all the formulations achieved superior suppression effect on the ticks.

Analysis of German cockroach (Blattella germanica) expressed sequence tags

Cockroaches are known to act not only as vectors for parasites and pathogenic microorganisms but also as intermediate hosts for parasite development and allergens. It is necessary to understand genomic information to obtain ecological knowledge of the cockroach as well as to more effectively engineer genetic cockroach control, in addition to developing allergy medications and analyzing the allergen. We constructed a cDNA library of German cockroach Blattella germanica (Orthoptera: Blattellidae) and generated 5,466 clones expressed by EST sequences analysis. A total of 3,937 sequences were identified by a BLAST search against the NCBI nr database under an E-value of <1e−5 using BLASTX programs. The database of Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins was used to attempt a functional study with an E-value of <1e−10, which resulted in 2,833 significant sequence matches. We identified several kinds of allergens, proteases, serine proteases, serine protease inhibitors, stress-related proteins, immune response-related proteins, and a variety of other genes. This genomic data can provide essential information about cockroaches, including data on metamorphosis, metabolism, and intracellular signaling. This genomic information of the German cockroach can also supply knowledge for cockroach control and allergen analysis as well as genome comparison among similar species.

Insecticidal Paints for Control of Cockroaches

The efficacy of certain insecticidal paints/ varnishes recently developed by the Paints Group of the Laboratory for the control of cockroaches and allied crawling insects commonly met in the Services, has been described.

American cockroach control assays in the municipal sewerage system of Valencia (Spain)

ABSTRACT Several insecticides (including different active substances and formulations) were applied to sewer shafts to control Periplaneta americana (LINNAEUS, 1758) populations in Valencia (eastern Spain). Results show that the best products for cockroach control were the paints (with and without insecticide), which provided an optimal reduction of P. americana populations for up to three months (P &lt; 0.001). Therefore, it is important to note that the reduction of cockroach populations as well as the persistence of the insecticide effect in sewers was similar in both types of paints. A product combining two pyrethroids (Tetramethrin and Alfacipermetrin) and piperonyl butoxide also gave excellent results with cockroach control during one month. Two organophosphate insecticides (Clorpyrifos and Diazinon) significantly reduced cockroaches for only one week. Finally, our work indicates that the Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) we tested are not recommendable active substances for the control of P. americana in sewers.

Implementation of an Indoxacarb Susceptibility Monitoring Program Using Field-Collected German Cockroach Isolates From the United States

Indoxacarb, a sodium channel-blocking insecticide, has been in widespread use for German cockroach control in the United States since 2006. A two-tiered indoxacarb susceptibility monitoring strategy was previously developed as a first step toward determining indoxacarb susceptibility levels in German cockroach field populations. This strategy entails: (tier 1) testing field-collected populations in vial bioassays at two diagnostic concentrations; and (tier 2) testing populations at three diagnostic doses in oral (feeding) bioassays with treated bait matrix. In the current study the two-tiered technique was implemented to evaluate field (n = 14) and susceptible laboratory (n = 2) strains collected from 13 different U.S. locations. Our hypothesis was that at least some of the field-collected populations would display significant survivorship in both bioassays relative to susceptible laboratory populations. In agreement with this hypothesis, significantly reduced susceptibility was detected in 13 and 7 field strains with vial and feeding bioassays, respectively. In general, the lower number of strains displaying reduced susceptibility in feeding bioassays (seven strains) supports previous findings that indoxacarb is more toxic via ingestion. Although these findings suggest a reduced risk for resistance selection via feeding on indoxacarb-containing baits, they also suggest a need for proactive resistance management with respect to both spray and bait products.