Posted on 02/18/2005 12:40:25 PM PST by LibWhacker
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The sexy scent used by female cockroaches to attract males could be the best tool yet against the creepy pests, U.S. researchers said on Friday.
They made an artificial version of the mating pheromone used by the bugs and hope it could be used to lure them into traps.
"It would prevent the need to spray poison widely," said Fran Webster of the State University of New York, who led the study. "You could use it when and where it was needed most."
Other insects are often trapped using pheromones -- pantry moths, for example -- but the cockroach's rare aroma has eluded scientists for years. Many animals use the chemicals to communicate over distances.
Writing in the journal Science, Webster and colleagues described how they used a 600-megahertz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to break down the precise chemical formula used by Blattella germanica, or the German cockroach.
Now it can be synthesized and used against them.
"It is the worldwide pest among cockroaches and it's very difficult to control," Webster said in a statement.
"They are much more common in urban areas than rural ones. In an urban setting, anywhere you have filth, there's always a chance that there are cockroaches."
Cockroaches have a "come hither" scent? Who knew?
Nuts. Cockroaches have been here tens of millions of years before us and will survive after we leave this stage.
Could I use this on my worthless brother-in-law.
How are they going to bottle enough of Bill Maher's sweat to pull this off? ;)
What do they call the female of the species?
Useless product.
One male can service infinite females. They need to find a trap to take out the females.
Makes me laugh. Went to all female party last weekend where the presenter tried to sell all of us females a pheromone perfume. Needless to say, the product was overpriced with no odor--good or bad. We had a great time visualizing what the perfume would do though.
Henroach?
Eau de Gar-Bage................
My God, what's the irresistible scent you're wearing?
Wiping coffee off keyboard...
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