From fortnum@nic.hookup.net Tue Nov 29 14:39:29 EST 1994
Article: 51 of sci.bio.microbiology
Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!news.duke.edu!hookup!nic.hookup.net!bhalley.hookup.net!user
From: fortnum@nic.hookup.net (Rich Fortnum)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.bio.microbiology
Subject: Re: Microbes to kill cockroaches?
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1994 18:15:00 -0500
Organization: F & M Breweries Limited
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In article <3atfqd$gl8@speedy.ibmoto.com>, ponder@ibmoto.com (Carl Ponder)
wrote:

> I have a compost-pile here in Austin, TX. I was a little shocked and
> a lot disappointed to see a bunch of cockroaches run out of it when
> I turned it. This wasn't exactly what I meant by being environmental!
> Though I suppose they do accelerate the decomposition...
> 
> Is there any kind of a fungus, bacteria, or other type of parasite or
> predator that I can innoculate the compost heap with, that would kill
> off the roaches or their larvae? I remember seeing ads for "natural"
> insecticides to kill other types of insects, they were spores for some
> fungus. I would expect something like that to thrive in a compost heap...
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
>         Carl Ponder
>         ponder@ibmoto.com
> 
> -- 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Disclaimer: I speak for myself.            Phone: (512) 795-7364
> e-mail: ponder@ibmoto.com                  FAX:   (512) 795-7519
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Use diatomaceous earth, which is a brewing filter media.  They are
actually diatoms, which have a lot of chitin and silicon in the hard
exoskeletons, I believe.  This erodes the cockroach exoskeleton. 

Cheers.

-- 
BeeRich
F & M Breweries Ltd.
Guelph, Ontario, CANADA
fortnum@hookup.net



