Cockroach Biology and Control Medical Entomology

Objective هدف Relate the biology of cockroaches to the appropriate control measures Objective: Relate the biology of cockroaches to the appropriate control measures

Overview مرور Characteristics Life Cycle Habits Surveillance Control Measures Overview: Characteristics Life Cycle Habits Surveillance Control Measures

Distribution Very successful group Virtually unchanged in 400 million years 4,000 species worldwide Most are tropical 30 species are associated with human habitations Four species are well known as pests Can be indirectly transported from one location to another Very successful group Virtually unchanged in 400 million years 4,000 species worldwide Most are tropical 30 species are associated with human habitations Four species are well known as pests Commerce has aided their distribution

Description General description : Oval body shape Head hidden from above Long antennae Running legs May or may not have wings Description General description : Oval body shape Head hidden from above Long antennae Running legs May or may not have wings Highly adapted to its environment.

General Biology and Life Cycle Gradual metamorphosis Egg Nymph Adult Number of eggs varies based on species and environment Life span of 6 months to 2 years General Biology and Life Cycle: Gradual metamorphosis Egg Nymph Adult Number of eggs varies based on species and environment Life span of 6 months to 2 years

Habitat Dark, warm, humid places Cracks and other sheltered places Nocturnal Habitat: Dark, warm, humid places Cracks and other sheltered places Nocturnal

Food Sources Omnivorous (eats almost anything) Starches and sweets Animal and vegetable products Book bindings, wall paper, etc. Human ear wax, toenails, etc. Food Sources: Omnivorous (eats almost anything) Starches and sweets Animal and vegetable products Book bindings, wall paper, etc. Human ear wax, toenails, etc.

Medical Importance Mechanical disease vector…spreads disease by contact with food or food surfaces Produce allergens from cast skins and feces Medical Importance: Mechanical disease vector…spreads disease by contact with food or food surfaces Produce allergens from cast skins and feces

Cockroach Surveillance Biggest reason for surveillance is to determine the need for control Preventive medicine personnel respond to complaints about cockroaches Preventive medicine personnel also observe for signs of cockroaches during routine inspections of the DFAC, barracks, etc. Cockroach Surveillance: Biggest reason for surveillance is to determine the need for control

Cockroach Surveillance Cockroach feces are a sign of infestation Cockroach Surveillance: Cockroach feces are a sign of infestation

Cockroach Surveillance You should check food preparation areas at least quarterly In reality, you will likely do a sticky trap surveillance only when your routine inspections suggest a problem If cockroaches are found, check sanitation Apply pesticide only as a last choice Cockroach Surveillance: You should check food preparation areas at least quarterly In reality, you will likely do a sticky trap surveillance only when your routine inspections suggest a problem If cockroaches are found, check sanitation Apply pesticide only as a last choice

Night Surveillance Night surveillance of facilities Perform 30 minutes to 1 hour after a facility closes Use yellow filter on your flashlight Night Surveillance: Night surveillance of facilities Perform 30 min to 1 hr after a facility closes Use yellow filter on your flashlight

Sticky Trap Surveillance Practical and effective; best overall method Great for surveying many facilities at once Sticky Trap Surveillance: Sticky traps Practical and effective; best overall method Great for surveying many facilities at once

Sticky Traps Set traps around food, in potential harborage, watering areas Use enough traps At least 10 in a dining facility Sticky Traps: Set traps around food, in potential harborage, watering areas Use enough traps At least 10 in a dining facility

Sticky Traps Put traps out 2-4 days after application of pesticide Leave out for 2-4 days Replace new traps in exact same spot Sticky Traps: Put traps out 2-4 days after application of pesticide Leave out for 2-4 days Replace new traps in exact same spot

Cockroach Surveillance Thresholds Two to 8 cockroaches / trap / night: potential problem; insecticide spot treat until trap index goes down Over 8 cockroaches / trap / night: serious problem; check sanitation, use wide area treatment with insecticide Also, if nymphs of all sizes and adults are observed, likely indicates serious problem; check sanitation, use wide area treatment with insecticide Cockroach Surveillance Thresholds: Two to 8 cockroaches / trap / night: potential problem; insecticide spot treat until trap index goes down Over 8 cockroaches / trap / night: serious problem; check sanitation, use wide area treatment with insecticide

Cockroach Surveillance Thresholds High populations may indicate: Poor facility sanitation Possible insecticide resistance Cockroach Surveillance Thresholds: Persistently high populations may indicate: Poor facility sanitation Possible insecticide resistance Change class of insecticide used

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) A combination of control techniques to prevent, eliminate, or suppress pests The objective of IPM is to reduce the reliance on pesticides and keep their use to a minimum Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A combination of control techniques to prevent, eliminate, or suppress pests The objective of IPM is to reduce the reliance on pesticides and keep their use to a minimum

IPM Sanitation is most important Exclusion of pests Harborage elimination Chemical control IPM: Sanitation is most important Exclusion of pests Harborage elimination Chemical control

IPM - Sanitation Environmental Sanitation is the key to cockroach control Eliminate Sources Of Food: Clean up spilled items & crumbs, remove food wastes and garbage, seal food containers, wash dishes, remove grease build-up on walls and equipment Eliminate Sources Of Water: They must have water… single most important factor for survival; wipe up spilled liquids, fix plumbing, seal leaks IPM – Sanitation: Environmental Sanitation is the key to cockroach control Eliminate Sources Of Food: Clean up spilled items & crumbs, remove food wastes and garbage, seal food containers, wash dishes, remove grease build-up on walls and equipment Eliminate Sources Of Water: They must have water… single most important factor for survival; wipe up spilled liquids, fix plumbing, seal leaks

IPM - Exclusion Exclusion: Keep them out of the building; deny access to rooms; prevent entry into kitchens Keep doors and windows closed Fix screens / weather stripping on doors / windows Caulk cracks and crevices to deny access Use mesh screening for floor drains IPM – Exclusion: Exclusion: Keep them out of the building; deny access to rooms; prevent entry into kitchens Keep doors and windows closed Fix screens / weather stripping on doors / windows Caulk cracks and crevices to deny access Use mesh screening for floor drains

IPM - Harborage Elimination Harborage Elimination: Take away their hiding places and living quarters Pick up clutter: Bags, boxes, paper, etc. Clutter is harborage and also helps cockroaches avoid insecticides Caulk and seal cracks and crevices Denies them a place to hide and wait IPM – Harborage Elimination: Harborage Elimination: Take away their hiding places and living quarters Pick up clutter: Bags, boxes, paper, etc. Clutter is harborage and also helps cockroaches avoid insecticides Caulk and seal cracks and crevices Denies them a place to hide and wait

IPM – Chemical Control Chemical Control (insecticides): Excellent quick knockdown Use sanitation, exclusion, and harborage elimination first Chemical control is always a last choice IPM – Chemical Control: Chemical Control (insecticides): Excellent quick knockdown Use sanitation, exclusion, and harborage elimination first Chemical control is always a last resort

Pesticide Use Use of chemicals should be a last choice If you use chemicals: Use correct chemicals Apply correctly In a kitchen, remove food and cover countertops, then sanitize countertops before food service Pesticide Use: Use of chemicals should be a last choice If you use chemicals: Use correct chemicals Apply correctly In a kitchen, remove food and cover countertops, then sanitize countertops before food service

Summary Characteristics Life Cycle Habits Surveillance Control Measures Summary: Characteristics Life Cycle Habits Surveillance Control Measures

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