Lack of repellency of three commercial ultrasonic devices to the German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

  1. FANGNENG HUANG1,*,
  2. BHADRIRAJU SUBRAMANYAM2

Article first published online: 30 JAN 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2006.00069.x

Issue

Insect Science

Insect Science

Volume 13, Issue 1, pages 61–66, February 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

HUANG, F. and SUBRAMANYAM, B. (2006), Lack of repellency of three commercial ultrasonic devices to the German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae). Insect Science, 13: 61–66. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2006.00069.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

  2. 2

    Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA

* Fangneng Huang, 404 Life Sciences Building, Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. Tel: 225 578 0111; fax: 225 578 1632; e-mail: fhuang@agcenter.1su.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 30 JAN 2006
  2. Article first published online: 30 JAN 2006
  3. Accepted October 11, 2005

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Keywords:

  • Blattella germanica;
  • ultrasonic devices;
  • urban pest management

Abstract Three commercial ultrasonic devices (A, B, and C) were tested for their ability to repel the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Blattellidae), in Plexiglas® enclosures. Device A generated peak frequencies at 26 kHz and 34 kHz, and produced a 95 ± 1 dB sound pressure level (SPL) at 50 cm distance (0 dB = 20 log10[20 μPa/ 20 μPa]). Device B generated peak frequencies at 27 kHz and 35 kHz, and produced a 92 ± 4 dB SPL. Device C generated a wide range of frequencies between 28–42 kHz and produced an 88 ± 2 dB SPL. Ultrasound from any of the three devices did not demonstrate sufficient repelling ability against the German cockroach in the tests. The result failed to provide evidence that ultrasonic technology could be used as an effective pest management tool to repel or eliminate the German cockroach.

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