Residual effectiveness of insecticides for control of German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) in food-handling establishments

Residual effectiveness of insecticides was compared for two treatment methods at various sites within two commercial kitchens. For all sites and insecticides, German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), mortality was greatest for treatments of cracks and crevices than for treatments of exposed surfaces. Mortality at the dishwashing site was lower than at all other sites. We attributed reduced mortality at the dishwashing site to a higher vapor pressure deficit. Mortality and the amount of insecticide residue recovered from treated surfaces were closely correlated. These data demonstrate that careful placement of residual insecticide treatments will influence their effective longevity.