dc.description.abstract |
The species diversity and infestation level of cockroaches was studied in four different
habitats in Addis Zemen town in 2014. The objectives of the study were to determine the
species diversity, to determine the factors that contribute for occurrence of cockroaches,
to isolate bacteria that reside on the external body of cockroaches and to assess the
knowledge of the community about cockroaches. A cross-sectional survey and an
experimental study were carried out. Data were collected through field observation,
experiment, questionnaires and interview from December 30 to March 30/ 2006. The
housing categories were sampled using proportional allocation. Cockroaches were
collected using sticky traps and identified using standard identification keys. External
body surface of cockroaches was washed in sterile saline and a sample suspension was
cultured on four types of media: MacConkey, Nutrient Agar, Chocolate Agar and Tryptic
Agar and incubated overnight at 37
o
C. The presences of bacteria on cockroaches were
diagnosed using Gram staining method. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of
variance (SAS version 12.1) and chi-square. The results indicated that German cockroach
was the only species identified in the study area during the study period. Number of
cockroaches significantly varied among housing categories (F=13.2244, P<0.0001),
housing units (F=9.8672, P<.0001), hygienic levels (F= 35.5103, P<.0001), moisture
regimes (F=84.4703, F<.0001), crack levels (F=19.1, P<.0001). Areas with poor hygiene
level, more moisture and full of cracks brought more cockroaches. Gram Negative and
Gram Positive bacteria were isolated from external body surface of cockroaches trapped
from various sites. Majority of the 235 people interviewed, i.e., house wives, civil
servants and restaurant workers believed that cockroaches are not a serious problem. In
conclusion, German cockroach is the dominant species and it carries pathogenic disease
causing organisms. Also factors such as hygiene, moisture management and avoiding
cracks help deter cockroach infestation. Therefore, appropriate measure should be taken
to reduce the spread of parasitic diseases that can be transmitted by cockroaches. Hotels
and residential areas must be kept free of cockroach infestation through proper sanitation,
disposal of wastes, destruction of cockroach habitats and using insecticides.
Keywords: cockroaches, species diversity, abundance, habitat |
en_US |