Evaluation of Repellency and Lethal Effects of Ultrasonic Waves on the Blattel-la germanica (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

Atefeh Khan-Ahmadi; Hassan Vatandoost; Amir Ahmad  Akhavan; Mozhgan  Baniardalani; Kourosh Khalifeh-Soltani; Amrollah Azarm; Alireza  Zahraei-Ramazani

doi:10.18502/jad.v17i1.13204

Atefeh Khan-Ahmadi Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hassan Vatandoost Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Amir Ahmad Akhavan Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mozhgan Baniardalani Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Kourosh Khalifeh-Soltani Department of Mechatronic, School of Electrical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Majlesi Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Amrollah Azarm Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Tarbit Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v17i1.13204

Keywords: Repellency; Lethal effect; Ultrasonic waves; Blattella germanica

Abstract

Background: The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Insecta: Blattodea, Blattellidae), which occurs widely in human buildings, is a small cockroach species. Cockroach control chemical pesticides are toxic to the environment, and it is sometimes impossible to prevent them. Controlling Blattella germanica through ultrasonic waves can be efficient and less dangerous for the environment.

Methods: In this study, the repellency and lethal effect of ultrasonic waves on male and female German cockroaches was tested in a twin glass cubic chamber at laboratory condition. The wave frequencies tested ranged from 20 to 100kHz with 5kHz steps. A signal generator generated these frequencies, and the piezoelectric transmitter of these ultrasonic waves was positioned in the chamber's center on the upper side.

Results: Fisher's test showed that there was the greatest repellency effect in both male and female at frequencies of 35 and 40kHz. According to the results of the regression test, the most lethal effect is at the frequencies of 40 and 75kHz.

Conclusion: The operating ultrasonic frequencies investigated in this study can be used to repel and kill German cockroaches as pests endangering human health and environment.