By Chris Keefer, Ph.D., technical services manager for Syngenta
In some U.S. regions, peridomestic cockroach activity may be quelled by weather at certain times of the year, but German cockroaches tend to be a problem all year. Some key concepts to keep in mind for successfully controlling German cockroaches include conducting thorough inspections, understanding their cryptic behavior and reproductive potential, using an integrated pest management approach and rotating active ingredients with different modes of action.
Inspection
- Identify the requisites of life and/or conducive conditions of the target pest population
- If you can partially or completely remove these conditions, it will exponentially increase the success of insecticide treatments
- Using zone monitors or glue boards can be helpful, especially when dealing with a small infestation
- These devices can lead you directly to an infestation so you can make insecticide applications near or in the harborage areas
- Inspection dictates treatment, so apply the highest volumes of treatment where you have active cockroaches and conducive conditions, as well as potential future harborage areas
Understanding the target pest
Knowing the reproductive cycle of German cockroaches and how quickly a population can grow will help you better understand how to control them.
- The German cockroach can go through its life cycle in as little as 90 days from egg to mature adult
- In any given population within a structure, approximately 80% of individuals are nymphs
- Early-instar nymphs and gravid females do not forage far from the harborage for food
- If you see early-instar nymphs and gravid females during your inspection, then you’re very close to the harborage area
Solutions for German cockroach control
For successful control of large, dense populations, it’s important to use the appropriate active ingredients and formulations.
- Knowing where and when to use repellent and non-repellent insecticides can mean the difference between keeping cockroaches under control and pushing them into sensitive areas, such as the dining room at a restaurant
- Similarly, knowing where and when to use a dust formulation can mean great success or epic failure
- Gel baits can be used as crack-and-crevice tools to control German cockroaches throughout most structures, and generally do not cause changes in the activity location
- The biggest failure across our industry with gel bait applications for German cockroaches is not applying enough bait based on the size of the population
There’s nowhere to hide from new Advion Trio
Advion® Trio cockroach gel bait, the latest innovation in cockroach management from Syngenta, will be crucial in helping you control cockroaches at every life stage.
- Advion Trio has the power of three active ingredients: indoxacarb (0.6%) and two insect growth regulators, pyriproxyfen (0.1%) and novaluron (0.1%)
- With three active ingredients and a proven superior bait matrix, Advion Trio can be a go-to gel bait for tough cleanout situations when dealing with large, dense populations of German cockroaches, such as in multi-family housing and food-handling accounts
- Can be used as part of the SecureChoice? Cockroach Assurance Program for guaranteed results
By adhering to these principles, you can enhance your chances of success against German cockroaches. For more information about Advion Trio, visit Veseris.com
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