The Infestation of Cockroach and Their Perceived Importance in Yalanguruza and Nassarawo Communities, Gombe, Nigeria
Asian Journal of Biology,
Page 27-33
DOI:
10.9734/ajob/2020/v10i230104
Abstract
Aims: Poor sanitation is strongly associated with an increased cockroach infestation. In line with this, the study was carried out to ascertain and quantify the level of cockroach infestation and their perceived importance in Yalanguruza and Nassarawo communities.
Study Design: Each community was sectioned into four longitudinal zones and 50 houses were randomly selected from each zone for the collection of samples and administration of questionnaires.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out between May and August 2018. Samples were collected in Yalanguruza and Nassarawo communities of Gombe and identified in the Department of Biological Sciences, Gombe State University.
Methodology: A total of 409 cockroaches were collected from different sources in residential homes, 208 in Yalanguruza and 201 in Nassarawo using Hercules mouse glue board with pieces of Cray-fish as baits and were preserved and identified to their respective species. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain the perception of the respondents in the communities about cockroaches. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered in each of the communities.
Results: Up to 78% of the respondents had low knowledge of cockroach infestation and 66% attributed infestation to poor sanitation. The most-reported perception of cockroaches habitation in homes was toilets (66.5%) while the majority (57%) of the respondents knew that cockroaches can be vectors of diseases. 68.5% of the respondents used insecticides in controlling cockroaches. Food items compared to other items showed to be the most commonly affected by the cockroaches with 48% of the respondent attesting that. Cockroach species identified from the two communities were Periplaneta americana with the highest frequency value of 196(47.9%), Blattela germanica 94(23.0%), Supella longipalpa 67(16.4%), Blatta orientalis 38(9.3%) and Arinevaga floredensis 14(3.4%). The highest numbers of cockroaches were obtained from Yalanguruza, 208(50.9). Out of the 409 cockroaches collected, 314(76.8%) were from toilets, 30(7.35%) from bedrooms and 65(15.80%) from kitchens.
Conclusion: High infestation of cockroaches in the study communities was observed and there are poor knowledge and perception of cockroaches in the communities; hence there is a need to sensitize the people in the communities on the potential public health impact of cockroaches.
Keywords:
- Cockroach
- perception
- infestation
- Yalanguruza
- Nassarawo
- Gombe.
How to Cite
References
Gullan PJ, Cranston PS. An outline of entomology. Illustrations by K. Hansen Mclnnes. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Hardback. 2005;505.
Salehzadeh A, Tavacol P, Majhub H. Bacteria, fungi and parasitic contaminants of cockroaches in public hospitals of Hamedah. Iranian Journal of Vector-Borne Diseases. 2007;44:105-110.
Piper GL, Antonelli AL. Cockroaches: Identification, biology and control. Agricultural Research Centre, Washington State University; 2012. Available:https://www.pnw0186.Html
Tawatsin A, Thavara U, Chompoosri J, Kong-ngamsuk W, Chansang C, Paosriwong S. Cockroach surveys in 14 provinces of Thailand. Journal of Vector Ecology. 2001;26:232-238. PMID: 11813661
Pai HH, Chen WC, Peng CF. Cockroaches as potential vectors of nosocomial infestations. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 2004;11:979-984. DOI: 10.1086/502330
Rivault C, Cloarec A. Outcomes of insecticides control of cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blatellidae) in public housing in France. Journal of Environmental Management. 1997;51:187-197. DOI: 10.1006/jema.1997.0142
Hamu H, Debalke S, Zemene E, Birlie B, Mekonnen Z, Yewhalaw D. Isolation of intestinal parasites of public importance from cockroaches (Blattela germanica) in Jimma town, Southwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Parasitology Research. 2014;1:1-5. DOI: 10.1155/2014/186240
Montressor A, Crompton DW, Gyorkos TW, Savioli L. Helminth control in school-aged children. A guide for managers of control programmes. World Health Organisation, Geneva. 2002;64.
Adeleke MA, Oyebamiji AA, Hassan AO, Wahab AA, Olaitan JO. Biolarvicidal efficacies of entomopathogenic microorganisms isolated from the breeding sites of mosquitoes in Osogbo, Southwestern Nigeria. African Entomology. 2012;20(2):290-294.
Brenner RJ, Rust MK, Owens JM, Reierson DA. Understanding and controlling the German cockroach. Oxford University Press. New York. 1995;1-19.
Majekodunmi A, Howard MT, Shah V. The perceived importance of Blatta orientalis and Blattela germanica infestation to social housing residents. Journal of Environmental Health Research. 2002;1(2):27-34.
Runstrum ES, Bennet GW. Distribution and movement pattern of German cockroaches within apartment building. Journal of Medical Entomology. 1990;27(4):515-518. DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/27.4.515
Koehler PG, Patterson RS, Owens JM. The chemical systems approach to German cockroach control. Oxford University Press, New York, New York. 1995;287-323.
Omudu E, Akosu G. Cockroach and rodents infestation in Benue State University Students hostel in Makurdi and their epidemiological implications. Journal of Parasitological and Vector Biology. 2013;5(5):60-65.
Atiokeng TRJ, Tsila GH, Wabo PJ. Medically important parasites carried by cockroaches in Melong Subdivision, Littoral, Cameroon. Journal of Parasitology Research. 2017;1-8. DOI: 10.1155/2017/7967325
Ajero CMU, Ukaga CN, Ebirim C. The role of cockroaches (Blatta orientalis and Periplaneta americana) in mechanical transmission of parasites in households in Owerri, South East Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology. 2011;32(2):153–156.
Chan OTM, Lee EKW, Hardman JM, Navin JJ. The cockroach as a host for Trichinella and Enterobius vermicularis: Implications for public health. Hawaii Medical Journal. 2004;63(3):74–77. PMID: 15124739
Ejimadu LC, Goselle ON, Ahmadu YM, James-Rugu NN. Specialization of Periplaneta americana (American cockroach) and Blattella germanica (German cockroach) towards intestinal parasites: A public health concern. Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences. 2015;6:23–32.
-
Abstract View: 618 times
PDF Download: 396 times
