EVALUATION OF METHODS OF INSECTICIDE APPLICATION FOR CONTROL OF SMOKYBROWN COCKROACHES (DICTYOPTERA, BLATTIDAE)

The insecticide components of a previously developed integrated pest m anagement system for smokybrown cockroaches, Periplaneta fuliginosa (S erville), were tested individually and at reduced application rates in 4 separate trials over 2 yr. A 2-bait combination (pellet and gel bai ts) did not significantly reduce cockroach abundance more than a singl e constituent bait alone. A targeted spray of trelamethrin was signifi cantly less effective than a 2-bait combination. Residual activity of insecticides was determined with American cock roaches, P. americana ( L.), in a laboratory bioassay. Chlorpyrifos wettable powder remained a ctive <12 d in the field, after which time its activity was not differ ent from an experimental control (no insecticide residues), whereas ch lorpyrifos pellet and hydramethylnon paste baits retained initial acti vity for >27 d. Nematodes [Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser)] applied a s a spray solution did not effect the abundance of smokybrown cockroac hes, and no cockroaches were recovered that exhibited nematode infecti on. Time needed to apply various insecticide treatments did not differ substantially (15-25 min per house), even for lower application rates .