Fumigant toxicity of several essential oils to the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

The public’s increase in concern for the negative effects of traditional insecticides has led to the investigation of safe, botanical alternatives such as essential oils. Since the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) has been known to infest stored products, equipment, and household items such as furniture, we have considered several essential oils as fumigants for managing the German cockroach. The fumigant toxicity of several essential oils at 5 concentrations was determined for the German cockroach. Mortality was recorded at 24 h, and the (LC₅₀) was determined for each essential oil. LC₅₀ values for adult males ranged from 7.11 to 189.30 μl/0.95 L of air for 1,8-cineole and thymol, respectively. Essential oils do have fumigant toxicity to the German cockroach and may be useful alternatives to conventional insecticides.