Feeding of American and oriental cockroaches on baits imbedded in paraffin

Eversole, J.W.

Journal of Economic Entomology 64(5): 1316-1317

1971


ISSN/ISBN: 0022-0493
PMID: 5122362
DOI: 10.1093/jee/64.5.1316
Accession: 014477280

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Summary
Because of spoilage of baits in the wet conditions in which cockroaches live, in tests in late 1969 blocks of solidified paraffin wax with bait pellets containing 0.125% chlordecone (Kepone) embedded in them were placed in manholes in a sewer in Morocco in which Periplaneta americana (L.) was abundant. Considerable damage to the blocks, which were attached by wire so as to rest on platforms or against walls, occurred within 24 h. The cockroaches apparently did not consume the wax but removed it to reach the bait. Nymphs and adults were eliminated in 2 weeks. Such blocks were used for more than a year, but they did not have adequate resistance against moulds. When similar blocks were placed in sewers at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in October 1970, the active stages of P. americana were eliminated after 11 days. It was demonstrated in the laboratory that examples of Blatta orientalis L. will consume food encased in wax in the absence of other foods. Laboratory-reared cockroaches were fed exclusively on maize meal, rolled oats and dog food embedded in paraffin wax for 8 weeks at 26.7 degrees C and 80% R.H. ; 50% mortality occurred. The advantages of using baits in wax in wet breeding sites of cockroaches are pointed out. The incorporation of mould-inhibitors is indicated.