Main Cockroach Species in Urban Areas in our Country and the World, Prevention and Alternative Control Methods of These Pests

Yıl 2015, Cilt: 1 Sayı: 2 (2), 0 - 0, 07.01.2016

Mürşide Yağcı A. Haluk Yaşarer Zühal Saçtı Muharrem Şimşek

Öz

Cockroaches are known to have lived on earth about 300 million years, they have about 4500 species in 6 different family. Cockroaches are main pests in urban areas in our country and the world. Four best-known cockroach species are American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, Australian cockroach, Periplaneta australasiae, German cockroach, Blattella germanica and oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis. It is known there are 3 species in Turkey. They are B. germanica, B. orientalis and P. americana. Oriental cockroach is Turkey’s local insect and often confused with Blaps spp. Common cockroach species found in urban areas and usage possibility of alternative environmentally friendly control methods of cockroaches will be examined in the light of literature. Cockroaches may become pests in any structure like homes, schools, restaurants, hospitals, warehouses, offices, etc. They can adapt and live in different places but they prefer to live in dark, humid and warm areas. Cockroaches can be harmful for humans because they transmit bacterial, viral and fungal microorganisms by their body. Also they can cause allergic effect in human. In conjunction with it is not easy to control cockroaches, sanitation and preventive measures are important to suppress population. At first, their locations must be determined. Issues to be considered in control: cracks in walls and other places they hide and shelter should be closed, waste and food shouldn’t be left exposed, food waste should be cleaned. The most practical way in control is to use chemicals. The most common chemicals are gel, granule, dust baits and sprays. But only chemicals are not effective.Today, with environmental consciousness, negative effects of pesticides on human health are more taken into account. Also, because of resistance to pesticides tendency to alternative methods in cockroach control is emerged. Usage of preparates, control cockroach populations, like entomopathogens, plant extracts etc. should be focused.