The palatability and efficacy of boric acid gel baits on cockroaches

The present study is aimed at producing cockroach insecticide gel bait.
The cockroach insecticide gel bait comprises of a stomach toxicity component (boric acid), phagostimulants (sucrose and starch), thickening stabilizers (carboxylmethyl cellulose and alginic acid), a preservative (sodium benzoate), a moisturizer (glycerol) and water.
Seven products were made, with varying concentrations of boric acid. 0.05g of carboxylmethyl cellulose was dissolved in 2.0g of glycerol with stirring for 30mins, 0.75g of alginic acid was also added to the mixture with stirring for about 10mins, water was added in drops for complete dissolution of the mixture, 1.5g of soluble starch, 2.0g of sucrose and 0.05g of sodium benzoate were added and stirred vigorously, then different concentrations of boric acid (0.01g, 0.10g, 0.15g, 0.20g, 0.25g, 0.30g, 0.50g), were added to the seven samples respectively.
The effectiveness of the gel bait was found to increase with increase in concentration of boric acid.
The insecticide gel bait has some advantages over other insecticide formulations, in that it does not pose threat to human health and also to the environment.
The gel bait can be placed in sensitive areas (in kitchens close to food, plates, and water cans), where most formulations cannot be placed or sprayed.