Pest management in confined swine production relies primarily on calendar applications of broad-spectrum insecticides. However, regulatory restrictions imposed by the US FQPA of 1996, the large financial obligation of pesticide registration, and the rate of insecticide resistance development has led to a constant search for alternative control methods. Boric acid dust has a long, established history as an insecticide in urban pest management and may be an effective alternative for use in sensitive environments such as swine nurseries. However, dust formulations require specialized equipment and are difficult to apply. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of liquid bait formulations of boric acid for the control of German cockroaches. Choice assays of several boric acid-sugar combinations were conducted in the laboratory. Mortality was recorded for 15 days and expressed as LT50. Results showed that liquid formulations of boric acid and sugars can provide rapid and effective kill of German cockroaches. Field trials of liquid bait formulations were conducted in the nursery of a commercial swine farm. Bait was provided in 21 bait delivery tubes per room. Results showed significant reductions in cockroach populations. These data indicate that liquid formulations of boric acid may be used to effectively manage cockroach populations in sensitive environments.
Species 1: Blattaria Blattellidae Blattella germanica (German cockroach)
Keywords: boric acid, liquid bait
Back to Student Competition Ten-Minute Papers, Section D. Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Back to Student Competition 10-minute Paper
Back to The 2002 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition