Less Pests with Less Pesticides

A new study, "German Cockroach Allergen Levels in North Carolina Schools: Comparison of Integrated Pest Management and Conventional Cockroach Control," carried out by the researchers at North Carolina State University concluded using an integrated pest management system is more effective than using the conventional method of spraying pesticides on a predetermined schedule.

An integrated pest management system closely monitors for signs of pests and then utilizes baits and traps in areas where pests are located. The researchers at North Carolina State University found that using an integrated pest management system reduced pests and their allergens more effectively than the conventional method.

The North Carolina State University study compared the effectiveness of integrated pest management and conventional pest control in controlling German cockroach infestations and concentrations of the cockroach allergen Bla g 1 in public school buildings. The study involved two school districts with six schools that used conventional pest control and one district with seven schools that used an integrated pest management system in order to control pests.

The North Carolina State University researchers used cockroach traps to assess the level of infestation in the thirteen school buildings. To quantify the amount of cockroach allergen Bla g 1, the researchers collected settled dust samples in food service areas, classrooms, and other school areas.

"German Cockroach Allergen Levels in North Carolina Schools: Comparison of Integrated Pest Management and Conventional Cockroach Control" reports significantly reduced cockroach infestation and related cockroach allergen Bla g 1 the seven school buildings using an integrated pest management.

"Our data extend recent findings from studies in homes, showing that cockroach allergens can be reduced by cockroach elimination alone or by integrating several tactics including education, cleaning, and pest control," University of North Carolina researchers said.

"North Carolina schools are mandated to convert to IPM by 2011, so these findings give credibility that IPM has superior and longer-lasting results than pesticide use alone," Nalyanya said in a recent interview.

Researchers hope that by reducing the amount of cockroach infestations, cockroach related allergens and pesticides used in school buildings this study will result in healthier environment for students and school personnel.

Which is "good news for the 70 North Carolina school districts that have already converted - or are currently converting - to IPM," said Dr. Godfrey Nalyanya and Dr. Coby Schal.

"German Cockroach Allergen Levels in North Carolina Schools: Comparison of Integrated Pest Management and Conventional Cockroach Control"

Authors: Godfrey Nalyanya, J. Chad Gore, H. Michael Linker and Coby Schal, North Carolina State University

Published: May 2009 Journal of Medical Entomology

Mick Kulikowski, Forget the Sprays: Roaches and Their Allergens Reduced in Schools Using IPM, www.ncsu.edu