Food Preferences and Bait-Based Management of Cockroaches in Urban Households

Cockroaches are major urban pests due to their synanthropic behavior and ability to transmit pathogenic microorganisms, posing significant public health risks. This study assessed the seasonal prevalence, habitat distribution, and feeding preferences of three dominant species viz., German cockroach (Blattella germanica), Brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa), and American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) in domestic settings at Hyderabad. Highest cockroach abundance in urban households occurs in winter, driven by cooler indoor conditions. Kitchens and storage areas show more infestation due to food and moisture availability. Laboratory based multi-choice assays showed a strong preference for carbohydrate-rich foods, particularly banana, among German and Brown-banded cockroaches, likely reflecting their nocturnal foraging activity and high energy demands. In contrast, American cockroaches exhibited opportunistic omnivory, favoring bread, likely due to their larger body size and adaptability to varied, often moist, microhabitats. A banana-based gel bait containing 0.05% fipronil recorded 88% population reduction in five weeks, with efficacy comparable to commercial gel baits. These findings highlight the potential of food preference based bait formulations as effective tools in integrated cockroach management.