The overall goal of this project was to expand and refine our statistical model that estimates Smoky brown cockroach abundance from house and landscape characteristics to include additional species of cockroaches, several species of ants as well as subterranean termites. The model will correlate pest abundance and diversity with house and landscape characteristics. These results could ultimately be used to better treat and prevent perimeter pest infestations. We have developed and tested several traps designs for rapidly collecting sweet and protein feeding ants, purchased and modified traps for use during a year of trapping, and have identified species of ants, cockroaches, and termites found around homes in Auburn Alabama.

House and landscape characteristics have been measured at62 single-family homes or independent duplexes. These homes range in age from 7 to 61years and include the most common different types of siding (brick, metal, stone, vinyl, wood), different numbers/types of yard objects (none to >15, including outbuildings, retaining walls, large ornamental rocks, old trees, compost piles, etc.), and different colors. Thirty homes were selected for trapping.

As expected, both the abundance and diversity of ant and cockroach pests increased around homes with increasing environmental temperature. Argentine ants were the most abundant species followed by red imported fire ant and little black ant. For cockroaches, American, smoky brown, and Asian were the most abundant with pale bordered and woods cockroaches also in high abundance. In general, rain reduce the foraging behavior of ants and cockroaches resulting in lower trap catch, however, traps catch increased the day after a rain. After 2 months, only 16% of termite traps were positive.

Our statistical results indicate a strong positive relationship between house age and the diversity of ant and cockroaches trapped, but a strong positive relationship between large yard objects and termites trapped. There are more traditional peridomestic pests, e.g., Argentine ants, red imported fire ants, American cockroaches, and smoky brown cockroaches, at older brick sided homes with many objects in the yards. Asian cockroaches that were not present in the Auburn area until recently(2015) are becoming increasingly abundant throughout the city

Arthur G. Appel and Xing Ping Hu, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University

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