Udumula Sudhakar Reddy
22nd oct 2008
Exotic German cockroaches are invading city apartments and houses making life hell for residents.
Rise in incidence of diarrhoea, asthma and typhoid is also being attributed to these small cockroaches which carry germs and multiply profusely.
“The German cockroaches (scientific name Blatella germanica) are an invasive species accidentally introduced into the country by travellers,” says Dr C. Srinivasulu, a zoologist and wildlife biologist of Osmania University. “They adapt quickly to new environments and develop resistance to insecticides.” The brown and black cockroaches have become a menace in areas near water bodies such as Kapra, Kukatpally and Ashoknagar and also other areas such as Dilsukhnagar and Secunderabad. Kitchens and bathrooms are the targets of the insect army and if they meet with no resistance, they swarm into bedrooms too.
“These small cockroaches have literally invaded our flat and even insecticides are not effective,” says Mr Damodar Rao, a resident of an apartment in Kapra.
“Urbanisation without proper sanitation is a key reason for this,” says Mr G.S. Prakash, a senior pest control. “Apartments are not kept clean and get infested quickly.” “I stay in Ashoknagar and am also a victim of the cockroach invasion,” admits the Health Director Dr D Ramesh Chandra. “No insecticide works against them.” As they frequent dustbins and sewers, bacteria such as Salmonella, streptococcus and helminths such as pinworm and tapeworm get attached to the cockroaches. They also produce powerful allergens that cause asthma. The voracious insects feed on starch, grease and meat and when they don’t get them, they eat soap, toothpaste and even each other. Dr Srinivasulu said that a particular hormonal repellent was found to be effective against the cockroaches to some extent.
22nd oct 2008
Exotic German cockroaches are invading city apartments and houses making life hell for residents.
Rise in incidence of diarrhoea, asthma and typhoid is also being attributed to these small cockroaches which carry germs and multiply profusely.
“The German cockroaches (scientific name Blatella germanica) are an invasive species accidentally introduced into the country by travellers,” says Dr C. Srinivasulu, a zoologist and wildlife biologist of Osmania University. “They adapt quickly to new environments and develop resistance to insecticides.” The brown and black cockroaches have become a menace in areas near water bodies such as Kapra, Kukatpally and Ashoknagar and also other areas such as Dilsukhnagar and Secunderabad. Kitchens and bathrooms are the targets of the insect army and if they meet with no resistance, they swarm into bedrooms too.
“These small cockroaches have literally invaded our flat and even insecticides are not effective,” says Mr Damodar Rao, a resident of an apartment in Kapra.
“Urbanisation without proper sanitation is a key reason for this,” says Mr G.S. Prakash, a senior pest control. “Apartments are not kept clean and get infested quickly.” “I stay in Ashoknagar and am also a victim of the cockroach invasion,” admits the Health Director Dr D Ramesh Chandra. “No insecticide works against them.” As they frequent dustbins and sewers, bacteria such as Salmonella, streptococcus and helminths such as pinworm and tapeworm get attached to the cockroaches. They also produce powerful allergens that cause asthma. The voracious insects feed on starch, grease and meat and when they don’t get them, they eat soap, toothpaste and even each other. Dr Srinivasulu said that a particular hormonal repellent was found to be effective against the cockroaches to some extent.
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