CONTROLLING COCKROACH POPULATIONS IN HUMAN AND ANIMAL HABITATIONS BY REDUCING FOOD AVAILABILITY

BackgroundCockroaches, carriers of pathogenic organisms that cause human and animal disease, typically have access to human or pet food in bowls, allowing cockroaches to expand their colonies and infestations. HypothesisWe hypothesized that existing anti-ant technology could be converted to anti-cockroach technology by simple design changes. MethodsA base of various heights was affixed to the bottom of an anti-ant bowl to increase the distance of the anti-ant shield from the native height "x" to the hypothesized cockroach-resistant height "z". The effects of z =0, 12.7, 15.9, 19.1, 25.4, 44.5, and 57.2 mm were studied. 118.3 cc (4 oz) of dry cat food was used as cockroach bait. The modified anti-ant bowls were placed in a high-intensity cockroach environment during summer nights where the temperatures varied between 23.9-29.4 degrees Celsius for 3 hours and then cockroach counts were performed. Ten runs at each height z were performed. ResultsMean numbers of infesting cockroaches {+/-} SD at each height z were 21.3{+/-}2.9 at 0 mm, 22.0{+/-}2.9 at 12.7 mm, 11.2{+/-}2.6 at 15.9 mm, 0.9{+/-}0.8 at 19.1mm, 0.4{+/-}0.5 at 25.4 mm, 0{+/-}0 at 44.5 mm, and 0{+/-}0 at 57.2 mm (p<0.001 with z[≥]15.9 mm for all). Cockroach numbers began declining when z = 15.9 mm and declined to only large cockroaches at z = 25.4 mm. The cockroaches that were able to overcome the z =25.4 mm were the larger American cockroaches that can exceed 76.2 mm (3 inch) in length. However, at z = 44.5 mm and 57.2 mm no cockroaches penetrated the modified bowl. ConclusionsTo defeat the majority of species of cockroaches the anti-insect shield should be at a height of at least 25.4 mm and to defeat the larger American cockroaches preferably greater than 25.4 mm with 44.5 mm and 57.2 mm defeating all tested cockroaches