Baiting strategies for German cockroaches

Dr. Chris Keefer, technical services manager at Syngenta Professional Pest Management

Many German cockroach (Blattella germanica) integrated pest management (IPM) strategies include baiting. Having a thorough understanding of German cockroach biology and ecology, however, can help maximize treatment protocols. Rotating gel baits also can help prevent physiological resistance, and offer better long-term results.

Because the average life cycle of a German cockroach is 90 days, it is recommended to rotate products every 90 days to match this cycle. Refer to the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) designation for each active ingredient to ensure you’re using gel baits from different chemical classes with different modes of action. Visit IRAC-online.org for more information.