REDUCING PEST INFESTATIONS AND PESTICIDE USE IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1019198
• Project Start Date: Apr 1, 2019
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2023
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
3 RUTGERS PLZA
NEW BRUNSWICK,NJ 08901-8559

Performing Department
Entomology

Non Technical Summary
The urban environment is surrounded by multiple pests that are both economically and medically important. Among them, German cockroach, bed bugs, house mouse, termites, and ants are the most common and important urban pests. To reduce their economic damage, nuisance, or health risks caused by these pests, effective methods and materials need to be developed and used. The public also need to be aware of the importance of urban pests and methods to prevent and control them. Through basic and applied research on pest biology, behavior, ecology, and various control techniques, we will design, test, and disseminate new and improved pest management solutions. We will deliver the research findings to the public by publications, web sites, or presentations at various meetings and training sessions. We will develop practical, effective pest management solutions that will reduce pesticide use and improve public health. By reducing pesticide applications and more effective control of urban pests, food contamination and adverse impact to human health from pesticide use and pest infestation can be minimized.

Animal Health Component

70%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

30%

Applied

70%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
216	3110	1130	80%
721	5220	1130	20%

Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems; 721 - Insects and Other Pests Affecting Humans;

Subject Of Investigation
3110 - Insects; 5220 - Pesticides;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

urban pest

integrated pest management

cockroaches

house mouse

biology

behavior

Goals / Objectives
The long-term goal of this program is to develop practical and effective solutions for managing urban pests (bed bugs, cockroaches, rodents, and other urban pests). Specific objectives are to:1) monitor the insecticide resistance of the German cockroach and bed bugs;2) investigate biology and behavior of bed bugs that is related to control;3) evaluate new and least toxic techniques for managing urban pests (bed bugs, cockroaches, rodents, other urban pests);4) develop and implement cost-effective IPM programs for various urban settings.

Project Methods
a. Bed bug researchObjective 1: Investigate bed bug behavior and novel repellents. We will conduct both laboratory and field experiments to determine how bed bugs locate their hosts, spatial distribution patterns, and bed bug repellants. Experimental arenas and naturally infested residences will be used in these studies.Our previous studies showed that bed bug behavior is affected by feeding status and strain. They are attracted to carbon dioxide, heat, and chemical lure. Their distribution in a naturally infested home varies with the host behavior, population levels, clutter present in the home, etc. In the laboratory, we will use mock beds to study how bed bugs distribute once released. Factors that influence the distribution may include, whether the bed is encased, type of encasement, presence of host cues, etc. We will use mattresses with or without encasement, different types of encasements (plastic vs fabric) to test bed bug spatial distribution patterns. Based on the results, we will test in occupied apartments on the effect of encasement on bed bug distribution patterns.To develop novel bed bug repellents, we will collaborate with scientists from Department of Plant Biology at Rutgers University and USDA to test novel plant-based extracts as effective repellent. Previous studies show that DEET is the most effective repellent to bed bugs (Wang et al. 2013). Developing alternative, less irritant repellent for bed bugs would provide immediate benefit to the society. We will compare novel materials with DEET using various setups in the laboratory. If promising materials are found, we will conduct field experiments to confirm their repellency. Objective 2: Develop and optimize bed bug lures. At present, only one commercial bed bug lure (SenSci bed bug lure) is being marketed and proven effective. There is potential to find more effective bed bug lures. We will investigate additional bed bug lures that may improve the current bed bug lure. A recent publication shows that some compounds may be potentially useful as bed bug lure (Regine Gries 2014). We will test various compounds in the laboratory or in the field using similar methods as described in (Singh et al. 2012).Objective 3: Evaluating effectiveness of an IPM training program in low-income communities. We will assist communities with frequent pest infestations to implement IPM programs. Four to six housing authorities will be selected to participate in the study. We will collaborate with Cornell University to deliver IPM training to housing staff and residents in 2-4 communities. The other 2-4 communities will not receive any type of training. We will conduct pest surveys at the beginning and 12 months after training to evaluate the effectiveness of the IPM education. The pest survey will include resident interview, placement of sticky traps for cockroaches, interceptors for bed bugs, mouse stations for rodents, and visual inspections. We anticipate this study will provide the much needed cost-effectiveness data and help improve future educational efforts.b. Cockroach ResearchWe will collaborate with pest management professionals and building managers in identifying difficult-to-control cockroach populations. We will collect and maintain these populations in the laboratory, study their feeding behavior, insecticide resistance profile, and evaluate alternative methods to control these populations. Newer bait matrices will be investigated where appropriate.To determine the resistance level of field German cockroach populations, we will conduct feeding assays using common cockroach baits containing the following active ingredients: fipronil, dinotefuran, indoxacarb, and imidacloprid. If high level of resistance is detected, then we will conduct topical assays using serial dilutions of technical grade active ingredients to determine the physiological resistance level. Based on results from feeding assays and topical assays, we will determine whether behavioral resistance mechanism is involved.The food preference of various field German cockroach populations will be evaluated to determine if there are significant differences among field cockroach populations. Based on the results, we will study alternative bait matrices that are attractive to field German cockroach populations.Through building-wide surveys, we will study German cockroach spatial distribution patterns, non-chemical methods for controlling low-level infestations with the goal of reducing insecticide applications.c. House mouse researchEffective monitoring is a key to rodent elimination. At present, the effectiveness of the available tools and methods for monitoring house mouse is unknown. We will conduct field experiments to compare resident interviews, mouse stations with different baits for monitoring house mouse infestations.Once we identified the best monitoring method, we will conduct a series research on house mouse spatial distribution and building-wide house mouse control. At least three multi-unit dwellings will be selected to participate in these studies. d. Evaluation of novel urban pest control technologiesIn collaboration with manufacturers and pest control companies, laboratory and field experiments will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of novel urban pest control techniques and existing technologies. The technologies to be evaluated will include both non-chemical and chemical tools with an emphasis on least toxic technologies. Standard assay methods in the laboratory and in the field will be used to evaluate new technologies

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Low-income residents living in multi-unit dwelling, housing manager and staff, pest control staff. Changes/Problems:Less extension activities were conducted due to Covid-19 pandemic. We cannot access many of the communities due to restrictions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students all participated in this study, broadening their knowledge of effective pest control treatments. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Two fact sheets about cockroaches and bed bugs are published and disseminated to the public through the web site maintained by New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The cockroach and bed bug control techniques were also disseminated to pest management professionals through a pest control meeting. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Once COVID restrictions are lifted, we will continue our on-site studies. In the meantime, we will continue analysis of data.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Among the approximately 70 cockroach species found in the U.S., German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), is the most common due to its small size, short life cycle, and the ability to develop insecticide resistance. The German cockroach is distributed worldwide. They are found in homes, restaurants, ships, trains, aircrafts, hospitals, and many other types of modern indoor environments. This pest occurs more often in apartment buildings due to the building structural features that allow cockroaches to spread between units through common utilities, shared common walls, and hallways. German cockroaches contaminate food by transmitting pathogens. German cockroach feces, shed skins, and bodies of dead cockroaches contain allergens which are asthma triggers. Chronic infestations can pose significant long-term economic and public health costs. Among the 11 allergens identified from German cockroaches, Bla g 1 and Bla g 2 are 2 major allergens that have been used as biomarkers of environmental exposure to German cockroaches in indoor environments. Because of the close association between asthma, cockroach allergen levels, and cockroach infestations, a logical approach for asthma prevention is to reduce cockroach infestations and allergen levels in the individual's environment. During this reporting period, we studied the results of our implementation of a building-wide integrated pest management program in a low-income community in Paterson, New Jersey. After 12 months, cockroach infestation rates reduced from 48% to 12%, cockroach allergen levels (Bla g 1 and Bla g 2) reduced by > 90%, insecticide residue levels from floor dust samples decreased by 74%. We conclude that cockroach infestations can be successfully reduced to extremely low levels in a building if an effective cockroach management program is adopted. Although rarely studied, it is expected that effective cockroach control will also lead to significant health benefits for the building occupants. Bed bugs are now a common pest in the U.S. Although bed bugs do not transmit diseases, their bites can cause itchiness and significant discomfort. Workers who frequently visit homes or work in an infested home face the risk of being bitten by bed bugs or spreading bed bugs to their own homes or other places. In this publication, we describe basic information about bed bugs as well as recommendations on how to prevent bed bug infestations and simple non-chemical methods to control them. During this project period, we evaluated two methods to control bed bugs: non-chemical methods only vs non-chemical methods plus silica gel dust. We found that Mean bed bug count was reduced by 99% and 89% in non-chemical plus silica gel dust and non-chemical treatment, respectively. Non-chemical plus silica gel dust treatment caused significantly higher bed bug count reduction than the non-chemical treatment at 6 months. The results of this study have important implications in the implementation of bed bug management programs in multifamily housing communities. These include: (1) the non-chemical plus silica gel dust method can be more effective in reducing bed bug numbers, compared with the non-chemical only method; (2) the complexity of the infested furniture and the clutter surrounding the sleeping and resting areas can create refuges for bed bugs, and subsequently, delay the elimination by months; (3) the lack of resident cooperation with bed bug control procedures contributed to elimination failure in a few cases. Applying these findings in development of future bed bug management programs will help eliminate bed bugs more safely and efficiently.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Abbar, S, Wang, C, Cooper, R (2020) Evaluation of a non-chemical compared to a non-chemical plus silica gel approach to bed bug management. Insects 11, 443.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ranabhat, S, Wang, C (2020) Effect of moisture on efficacy of selected insecticide dusts against the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 113, 19331939.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Wang, C, Eiden, A, Cooper, R, Zha, C, Wang, D, Hamilton, RG (2020) Abatement of cockroach allergens by effective cockroach management in apartments. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2020.06.040
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Zhang, J, Xia, Y, Wang, C, Han, D, Ren, D, Zheng, J, Xu, X, He, Y, Wang, D (2020) Morphological and molecular identification of tropical bed bugs from two cities of the pearl river delta in China. Journal of Medical Entomology. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjaa155
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Wang, C, Bischoff, E, Eiden, AL, Zha, C, Cooper, R, Graber, JM (2019) Residents attitudes and home sanitation predict presence of German cockroaches (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) in apartments for low income senior residents. Journal of Economic Entomology 112, 284289.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Wang, C, Eiden, A, Cooper, R, Zha, C, Wang, D (2019) Effectiveness of building-wide integrated pest management programs for German cockroach and bed bug in a high-rise apartment building. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 10, doi: 10.1093/jipm/pmz031.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Shannon Sked, CW, Michael Levy, Kathryn Hacker (2019) Bed bug management in office environment. Pest Control Technol 47, 86-89.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Wang, C (2020) German cockroach. NJAES Fact Sheet 1322. Available at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1322/.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Abbar, S, Wang, C, Cooper, R (2020) Bed bug prevention and control for health workers. NJAES Fact Sheet 1326. Available at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1326/.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Wang, C, Cooper, R (2020) Cockroach species in new jersey and their control strategies. NJAES Fact Sheet 1327. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1327/

Progress 04/01/19 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Low-income residents living in multi-unit dwellings, housing managers and staff, pest control staff. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We trained housing staff on how to use monitors to monitor bed bugs, cockroaches, and house mice. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We held two seminars at two communities to teach the staff on how to manage pests in buildings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to conduct field experiments, demonstrations, surveys, and offer training opportunities to staff and residents where pest infestations are common.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1.Nine field strains of bed bugs were evaluated for their resistance to commonly used insecticides using two methods. We found that 7 of the strains are very resistant to the three insecticides tested 2. We studied the spatial distribution patterns of German cockroaches in a high-rise apartment building. We found that they are spatially related to each other. If an apartment is infested, its neighbors sharing common walls, ceilings, or across the hallway are more likely infested. 3. We conducted laboratory experiments on different insecticide dusts. We found that an inorganic dust (silica gel) is more effective and more environmentally friendly for controlling bed bugs than synthetic insecticide dusts. 4. We demonstrated a building-wide Integrated Pest Management program for controlling house mice. Results are being summarized.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Changlu Wang, Amanda Eiden, Richard Cooper, Chen Zha, Desen Wang, and Ed Reilly. 2019. Changes in indoor insecticide residue levels after adopting an integrated pest management program to control German cockroach infestations in an apartment building. Insects. doi.org/10.3390/insects10090304; doi:10.3390/insects10110406
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sked, Shannon, Wang, Changlu; Hacker, Kathryn; Levy, Michael. 2019. A case study of Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) infestations in an office environment. Journal of Economic Entomology. doi: 10.1093/jee/toz108
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Zha, Chen; Wang, Changlu; Eiden, Amanda; Cooper, Richard; Wang, Desen. 2019. Spatial distribution of German cockroaches in a high-rise apartment building during building-wide integrated pest management. Journal of Economic Entomology. 112: 2302-2310.