Urban Pest News Control Cockroaches With Fungus in Bait Stations Biopath and Bengal are two new cockroach bait stations that use the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae encased in a plastic disk. The two products are the same, except that Biopath is black and is for licensed pest control operators only, and Bengal is green and can be purchased by the public. A patented infection chamber attracts roaches to where they are exposed to fungal spores.
Infected roaches carry the fungus back to their hideouts and infect other roaches.
According to the manufacturer, these bait stations are equal to or better than standard chemical baits. The recommended use rate is about 10 to 12 stations for every 100 square feet of space. They should be placed next to walls or in areas where cockroaches congregate, but they can't be used near radiators, baseboard heaters or other sources of heat, since high temperatures will melt the agar and kill the fungus. Bait stations sealed in packaging have a shelf life of two years or more, and once opened should remain active for at least three months. The bait stations are available through pest control supply houses or from the manufacturer, EcoScience Corporation 10 Alvin Ct.