By Ntombi Mhlongo
The wet and humid summer has reportedly brought about a near-pandemic outbreak of cockroaches in South Africa.
According to the South African Farmer’s Weekly media platform, Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife South Africa’s (CropLife SA) Operations, and Stewardship Manager has issued a serious warning against the use of chemical products registered for agricultural purposes to mitigate the recent massive outbreak of German cockroaches in the country.
Verdoorn is reported to have told the Farmer’s Weekly that the use of unregistered chemicals could lead to the loss of human life. It is said that CropLife SA has issued a statement to the effect that cockroaches were usually omnipresent, but a surge in German cockroaches has been reported countrywide.
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Verdoorn was quoted saying it was not only climate that caused the exorbitant numbers, but also the unhygienic conditions that prevailed in South Africa.
“Unfortunately, the surge in cockroach infestation triggered the large-scale unlawful use of pesticides that are not registered for indoor use, with possibly disastrous effects. We’ve seen people decant unregistered products indiscriminately directly in the areas where the outbreaks occur. This is highly dangerous and actually life-threatening,” he reportedly said.
According to a statement by CropLife SA, effective cockroach control started with proper cleaning of human habitation and disposing of refuse and leftover foodstuffs.
A dirty kitchen that was littered with leftover food and freely available pet food acted as a magnet for the insects. Rubbish bags needed to be secured in plastic wheelie bins or drums beyond the access of cockroaches.
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Floor surfaces, potential breeding spots, and hideouts in kitchens, pantries, and bathrooms had to be cleaned and disinfected with a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite (domestic bleach).
Places that attracted cockroaches included electrical appliances such as fridges and washing machines, cupboards under kitchen and bathroom basins, drainpipe cavities in walls, food cupboards, outdoor drains, and dark, enclosed areas such as garages.
Verdoorn warned against the use of unlabelled pesticides, as these products were likely to pose a severe hazard and risk to people when applied indoors.
The use of pesticides in South Africa was highly regulated in terms of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies, and Stock Remedies Act (No. 36 of 1947).
