Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3098-1890

Date Available

12-15-2025

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

College

Agriculture

Department/School/Program

Entomology

Faculty

Zach DeVries

Faculty

Charles Fox

Abstract

German cockroaches (Blatella germanica L.) remain one of the most challenging indoor pests to manage, due in large part to their cryptic nature, rapid reproduction, and resistance to insecticides. Because of their close proximity to humans, they also pose several serious health threats, including the production and dissemination of several potent allergens linked to asthma development and exacerbation. Given the risks associated with cockroach allergens, we examined the longevity of two distinct cockroach allergens (Bla g 1 and Bla g 5) in the home environment and the efficacy of cleaners at removing these allergens. Our findings show that Bla g 1 and Bla g 5 are present in the home environment for at least six months without intervention. Common cleaning products (soap, 0.825% sodium hypochlorite, and enzyme cleaner) are not able to significantly reduce detection of these allergens. Multisurface cleaner shows promise in lowering detection of the allergens, but clinical testing will be required to evaluate their allergenicity.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.551

Funding Information

This study was supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Grant numbers KYHHU0061-20 and KYHHU0090-24) in 2022-2025, The Bill Gatton Foundation in 2022-2025, Pi Chi Omega Alain VanRyckeghem in 2024, The Pest Management Foundation Arrow Exterminator scholarship in 2024, and Pi Chi Omega Founder's scholarship in 2025.

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