Integration of repellents, attractants, and insecticides in a "push-pull" strategy for managing German cockroach (Dictyoptera : Blattellidae) populations

"Push-pull" is a behavior manipulation strategy in which behavior-modifying stimuli are integrated with a pest control agent. We evaluated the efficac y of an insecticide bait in combination with attractants ("pull"), repellen ts ("push"), or Loth ("push-pull") using a hydramethylnon-based bait, feces -contaminated surfaces as an attractant, and methyl neodecanamide-treated s ulfaces to repel cockroaches. Both adult males and first-instar German cock roaches, Blattella germanica (L.), chose shelters nearest the attractant-tr eated surfaces and farthest from the repellent-treated surfaces. Food consu mption was highest from food nearest the preferred shelters, and mortality was highest when the insecticide bait was near the preferred shelter. These patterns were more apparent in first instars than in adults. Our results f rom large arena studies in the laboratory show that the push-pull strategy can be used to displace pests from resources or commodities that are to be protected, and simultaneously lure the pest to an attractant source coupled with a pest control agent. Concentrating cockroaches into a limited area s hould facilitate the precision-targeting of the pest population and promise s to reduce insecticide use.