Cockroaches avoidance

Sodium molybdate and other molybdenum compounds in toxic baits have potential for termite control (Brill et al. 1987). Baits containing 1000 mg Mo/kg were fatal to 99% of the termite Reticu-litermes flavipes in 48 days. After 8 to 10 days, termites became steel-gray in color, but appeared otherwise normal. Mortality began only after day 16. Termites did not avoid the poisoned bait, even at concentrations of 5000 mg Mo/kg. Yoshimura et al. (1987) reported similar results with another species of termite sodium molybdate killed 100% of the workers in a colony of Copotermes formo-sanus within 24 h after eating filter paper treated with a 5% solution. Some other species of insects — including fire ants (Solenopsis sp.) and various species of beetles and cockroaches — were not affected when exposed to baits containing 5000 mg Mo/kg for 48 days (Brill et al. 1987). 

Hydrogen cyanide, is not, of course, utilized solely for the purpose of executions in American gas chambers, but for much more constructive purposes as well. Since approximately the end of WWI, hydrogen cyanide, or HCN, has been used to exterminate vermin such as bedbugs, lice, com weevils, termites, cockroaches, and other pests. It is, of course, important to be extremely cautious while applying hydrogen cyanide in order to avoid disaster, because it is in many ways a highly dangerous poison. 

Preventive Measures. Patients are taught to avoid triggers of attacks such as house dust mites, pets, cockroaches, cigarette smoke, and air pollutants. 

Fig. 1. Avoidance conditioning in the cockroach. The Experimental animal learned within 36 min to keep its leg out of the solution. The Control animal required 50 min on retest to learn to keep its leg...

Silverman, J. M. and Bell, W. J. (1976) Role of strato and horizontal object orientation on mate finding and predator avoidance by the American cockroach. Anim. Behav., 27, 652-57. 

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