Cockroach Infestation and Factors Affecting the Estimation of Cockroach Population in Urban Communities

Abstract

Cockroach is one of the most important pests in urban communities. This study was conducted to determine the situation of cockroach infestation and effective factors on cockroach trap count in urban communities of Yasuj City in southwestern Iran. In this study cockroach population in 573 sampling units (residential units, official places, and hospitals) was monitored using sticky traps over a five-week trapping period. Occupants of 348 residential units were also questioned (by means of questionnaire) for cockroach infestation in their respective residence. The study shows almost 39% of sampling units were infested by cockroach. Five species from two families had been identified: Blattidae (comprisingBlatta orientalis,B. lateralis, andPeriplaneta americana) and Blattellidae (comprisingBlattella germanicaandSupella longipalpa). German cockroach,B. germanica, with widespreaddistribution (80% of infested sampling units) showed the highest frequency (96.7%) of trap counts. The expression of the distribution of German cockroach populations and some factors could affect trapping, and population monitoring in an urban community was surveyed. Additionally, affecting some exclusion factors on cockroach infestation was pointed. Rates and source of cockroach infestation were discussed from the viewpoints of the residents.

Prevalence of Cockroaches in A Private Faculty Building/its Surrounding, with Emphasize on its Vectorial Capacity For Intestinal Parasite, Its Public Health Implication and Comparison of the Performance of several Traditional Baits

“…It seems that our finding confirmed the result of several other studies. Shahrarki et al 8 in Iran pointed out the close encounter of this insect with human; especially in homes or buildings where human activity is high. Urban areas is one of human factor which affect the distribution and even expansion in number and species of cockroaches.…”

“…The mechanism of action of the attractants along with the question of why is there any difference on preferences to attractants/ baits between stage (adult vs nimf) or even gender (male vs female) cockroach are still big future research questions need to be answer. [7][8][9] Those future research questions is very important and prospectfull in terms of natural insecticidal development. Our result on the effectiveness of brown sugar as baits showed us its potency for future development of insecticide.…”

“…1,7 According to their activity, all cockroaches are nocturnal organisms, and they tend to avoid human; except that it might appear in the daytime only when excessive number in population occured massively or when something disturbed their eco-system. [6][7][8]17 Most of these species are found in the tropics and subtropical regions, with preference to live in the dark and relative warmth milleu and also with higher humidity; e.g. any places related or connected with waste water such as waste water pipe, cesspits, septic tanks, sewers, rubbish dumps, refuse tips, dustbins and cupboards, drawers, underneath chairs, tables, water-sinks, water-baths and beds, behind refrigerators, cooking stoves, among (dirty) stacked dishes and even in almost any dark place available.…”

“…17 The association of cockroaches with various enteric pathogens, especially food-borne parasite, e.g protozoan and helminths, and also with bacterial pathogens have been extensively reported, but their prevalence varied, depend on the location. 6,8,18,19 The more cockroach available, the bigger the health hazard risk. 3,[6][7][8][9]23 So, while doing the entomology survey, the researchers usually also get an overview of public health aspects and hygiene scales of the area being studied.…”

“…6,8,18,19 The more cockroach available, the bigger the health hazard risk. 3,[6][7][8][9]23 So, while doing the entomology survey, the researchers usually also get an overview of public health aspects and hygiene scales of the area being studied. [18][19][20][21] This short study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cockroaches in a private faculty building and its surrounding, with emphasize on its vectorial capacity for intestinal parasite and comparison of several traditional baits used to attract cockroaches; all of these were observe in conjugate with the related public health aspects.…”