Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Using Insecticidal Baits: Formulations,
Behavioural Responses and Issues
Hui-Siang Tee and Chow-Yang Lee*
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Introduction
yourself cockroach bait was made by mixing
1 part plaster of Paris with 3-4 parts fl our,
and this mixture functioned as a stomach
poison (Cornwell, 1976). Chronological
analysis show that active ingredients from
different classes of insecticides have been
used in cockroach bait, including boric
acid (inorganic compounds), chlordecone
(organophosphate), chlorpyrifos (carba-
mate), hydramethylnon (amidinohydra-
zone), sulfl uramid (fl uorinated sulfonamide),
abamectin (avermectin), imidacloprid (neo-
nicotinoid), fi pronil (phenylpyrazole) and
indoxacarb (oxadiazine) (Fig. 5.1) (Cornwell,
1976; Reierson, 1995; Benson and Zungoli,
1997). Today, only a limited number of
compounds are available as toxicants in
cockroach baits, such as abamectin, dino-
tefuran, fi pronil, hydramethylnon, imida-
cloprid and indoxacarb.
Cockroaches are an important group of
insect pests in the urban environment.
Their adaptability has made them a
universal pest associated with humans. The
use of insecticides remains the most
common method of control, among which
use of insecticide baits is the most popular
method. Baits are precise, use less toxicant
and carry lower risks when applied. For
example, a survey conducted in Kentucky,
USA, showed that two-thirds of the 598
respondents preferred insecticide baits to
sprays (Potter and Bessin, 1998).
This chapter discusses the fundamentals
of cockroach baiting, paying particular
attention to the science of bait formulation
with emphasis on cockroach behavioural
responses such as feeding and foraging
strategies.
Benefi ts of baiting
History of cockroach bait
Baits are popular and highly acceptable
because they have a number of benefi ts.
Baits are ready to use without the need for
dilution. They can be used on any type of
treatment surface, and they are available in
various formulations such as gel, paste, dry
The fi rst cockroach bait was available
commercially in 1896, when phosphorous
was added to a sweetened fl our paste and
marketed to kill cockroaches in the USA and
UK (Cornwell, 1976). Prior to that, do-it-
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