Laboratory and field efficacy of granular baits against the Asian cockroach, Blattella asahinai, and German cockroach, B. germanica

The Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai) was introduced into Florida from Japan in 1986, and has been spreading throughout Florida and the Southeastern United States. Populations of the Asian cockroach can reach high densities in residential settings where it frequently inhabits leaf litter and landscaping mulch, becoming a nuisance to residents. Few studies have been conducted on control of the Asian cockroach. We evaluated the efficacy of Zyrox Fly Granular Bait against B. asahinai in the laboratory compared to the closely related B. germanica, and in the field. In laboratory assays, we found that Zyrox Fly is an attractive, palatable bait for both B. asahinai and B. germanica, and causes 100% mortality within two days. In the field trial, we found that Zyrox Fly achieved around 95% reduction in B. asahinai populations after two applications for five weeks post application. Zyrox Fly could serve as an important control method for the Asian cockroach, especially because it is already labeled for use in environments the Asian cockroach frequently inhabits.