Optimization of ozone technology as an IPM strategy in German cockroach management (Blattella germanica)

German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are considered to be an important urban pest due to their potential to impact human health.  Currently, baits are the most widely used cockroach control method. However, behavioral resistance, chemical resistance, bait aversion have become common among cockroach populations. Thus, new methods are needed for cockroach management.

The objective of this study was to provide baseline information needed to develop ozone technology for cockroach management. We determined the concentration-time (CT) relationship of ozone needed to achieve 100% mortality for various life stages (adult, nymph, and egg) of B. germanica. We also determined physiological impacts of ozone exposure in the German cockroach.

For the CT relationship, insects were treated with five ozone concentrations between 80 and 900 ppm at various time intervals until 100% mortality was achieved. Results showed that the most ozone-tolerant stage of B. germanica were the eggs, which required a treatment of 10hrs at 900 ppm ozone to reach 100% mortality for a CT of 9000 ppm-hour. The CT’s determined for adult and nymphs were 5760 ppm-hour and 4800 ppm-hour, respectively. Results indicated that ozone has excellent potential as an effective control strategy and provides baseline information about German cockroach tolerance to ozone.