He changing of the climate doesn’t mean only one heat wave after another. This may be the most tangible thing we’ve seen so far. But the consequences are much greater: from the possible re-emergence of diseases and toxic substances hidden under permafrost to loss of crops. Besides, we can’t forget insects. There is much talk about the risk of disease-carrying mosquitoes moving into areas where they are not normally found. However, it’s not just about mosquitoes. We also need to be careful around other animals such as ticks or cockroaches.
We mostly fear the latter because of the disgust they tend to evoke in us, but they can also carry some risks. For example, transmission of allergens or transport of pathogenic microorganisms. If it’s already a problem that climate change is increasing their populations and bringing them into our homes prematurely, what’s even more concerning is that they’re becoming resistant to insecticides.
This is not something new. In fact, the issue of insecticide resistance in cockroaches has been under research for some time. over 70 years. Fortunately, other substances have been manufactured to replace the previous substances, but the number of options is increasing and it is increasingly difficult to formulate alternatives for action in a timely manner. That’s why pest control professionals have notified us this year so we can prepare for what might happen in the coming months.
Why do cockroaches become resistant to insecticides?
Cockroaches are resistant to insecticides for the same reasons as other insects. Some individuals have genes that, for one reason or another, make them resistant to insecticidal ingredients. If in a population of cockroaches there are resistant and sensitive cockroaches, then when they are exposed to an insecticide, it is logical that the resistant ones will survive, and almost all the sensitive ones will die. When they reach a new reproductive cycle, the resistant ones can pass on the genes that make them invincible to their offspring. Thus, there will be more and more persistent cockroaches.
This is measured by a parameter called LK50, which measures the amount of insecticide needed to kill 50% of the population. In recent years, it has been observed that most insecticides on the market have an increasingly high LC50 value, so more insecticides are required to kill cockroaches and many of them escape alive.
Two types of resistance
There are two types of insecticide resistance: physiological and behavioral. Physiological is what we have already seen. Certain genes give cockroaches the ability to avoid the mechanisms that cause their fellows to be killed by insecticide. Therefore, even if they are exposed to this, they do not die. This can happen in different ways. For example, if they develop a thicker cuticle, which prevents the insecticide from entering the bloodstream. But it is also possible that they have mutations that affect their metabolism in such a way that their cells quickly modify and release the insecticide without causing damage.
Sometimes they don’t become completely resistant, but simply need a much higher dose than normal to be killed by the insecticide. And this is where behavioral resistance arises. If they are exposed to only a small dose of an insecticide that does not kill them, they learn to detect it by smell, for example, so they will avoid areas where it has been sprayed.
What we can do?
Controlling cockroaches this summer won’t be easy. High temperatures and humidity create ideal conditions for their reproduction. To make matters worse, many will be resistant to insecticides. Hence prevention plays a very important role.
The three main keys are to empty trash cans often, regularly clean the warmest and wettest areas of the house, and not leave food out in the open. However, sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. In this case, you will have to look for the ideal insecticide for a specific pest. You may have to try several until you find the key.
Source: Hiper Textual
