Cockroach Baiting and Rotation

TOMMY POWELL, Technical Field Representative, MGK 

What is the benefit of including an IGR in my cockroach bait? 

While a great tool in your cockroach control arsenal, baits do not always achieve 100% control of a population. The result may be the remaining roaches causing a resurgence in the population, leading to callbacks. There are several reasons why you may not receive complete control with bait: 

• A sub-lethal dose (not enough bait) 

• Metabolic resistance 

• Bait aversion 

To prevent a potential resurgence, it’s important to choose a bait that includes an insect growth regulator (IGR). This ensures long-term control of the cockroach population by preventing any remaining cockroaches from reproducing. It’s important to choose a product with multiple modes of action that provides an effective kill and long-lasting control. This provides you with insurance against future outbreaks. 

I recommend looking for a cockroach bait like MGK’s newest product Vendetta® 360, which includes an IGR. Vendetta® 360 provides multiple modes of action for maximum effectiveness, with a unique bait matrix making it perfect for rotating alongside the Vendetta family and other cockroach baits. 

What is bait aversion and what should I do if I encounter it in a cockroach population? 

Bait aversion is a genetically based behavioral resistance to a specific food ingredient in a bait and not the active ingredient. Just like humans, cockroaches don’t want to eat the same meal every day and they will avoid eating bait if something in the food matrix is no longer palatable to them. When this avoidance occurs, roaches will seek out alternative food sources altogether. 

To prevent this aversion, rotating the food matrix you use is critical. When it comes to rotation, people often ask me how often they should do it. In my experience, this will vary depending on your company. Although quarterly rotation is the most common, there may be logistical limitations that prevent this. For some PMPs, rotating every six months or even annually can be a better option. The key is to find a rotational plan that works for you. 

Why would I use APM when treating German cockroaches? 

APM (Assessment Based Pest Management) is a treatment strategy created specifically for the pest management industry to control German cockroaches. The process involves starting with a visual inspection and monitoring of the account, helping to evaluate the infestation level. Based on the information you gather during the inspection, you can categorize the infestation level as high, medium or low. After identifying the infestation level, specific protocols can be implemented to treat the account effectively. To ensure success, I always tell technicians to reassess the account before performing any follow-up treatments.