# Antibacterial nanoparticles as insecticide synergists and insect growth regulators for improved control of cockroach infestations

> **NIH NIH R41** · APEX BAIT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2021 · $257,554

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The prevalence of asthma in the United States is approximately 8% (>25 million people). In African Americans,
the prevalence is >11%. A majority of asthma sufferers are sensitized to allergens, including those shed in the
feces, saliva, and exuviae of cockroaches. Thus, exposure to cockroach infestation is recognized as both a
significant risk factor for the development of allergic asthma and a potent trigger of asthma attacks. The
asthma risk from cockroach exposure is particularly high in inner-city residences where elevated levels of
cockroach allergens are common. For example, some studies have shown that cockroach allergens are found
at high concentrations associated with asthma in >45% of high-rise apartments in the U.S., and >60% of
asthmatic children in U.S. inner cities are sensitized to cockroach allergens. Treating active cockroach
infestations can significantly reduce allergen levels within structures and is one strategy to improve asthma
symptoms that is recommended by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Board. The German
cockroach, Blatella germanica, is the most widespread and problematic cockroach pest in urban environments.
The use of insecticidal baits has traditionally been the most effective method for control of this species.
However, the spread of insecticide resistance across populations of B. germanica can reduce the efficacy of
insecticidal interventions, creating a need for improved tools. Our research team recently reported that the gut
microbiota contributes to insecticide resistance in B. germanica. We also found that disrupting the gut
microbiota decreases reproductive fitness. Accordingly, we predict that targeting the microbiota of German
cockroaches by incorporating antibacterial metal oxide nanoparticles into insecticidal bait formulations could be
an effective strategy to improve control of insecticide-resistant infestations in the field. We propose three
specific aims to test the viability of this approach against cockroaches resistant to diverse insecticides using
two types of metal oxide nanoparticles with known antibacterial properties (ZnO and CuO). In aim 1, we will
determine if antibacterial nanoparticles can increase the efficacy of several commonly used bait insecticides
against resistant cockroach strains. In aim 2, we will determine if antibacterial nanoparticles in bait can
adversely affect cockroach life history. In aim 3, we will determine if nanoparticle-insecticide combination baits
can eliminate resistant cockroach populations under semi-field conditions. It is expected that the results of our
work will inform the development of novel insecticidal bait formulations to mitigate insecticide resistance and
improve cockroach control, which has been demonstrated to reduce asthma morbidity and improve outcomes
in human populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241828
- **Project number:** 1R41AI162017-01
- **Recipient organization:** APEX BAIT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Jose Enrique Pietri
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $257,554
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-09 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241828

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241828, Antibacterial nanoparticles as insecticide synergists and insect growth regulators for improved control of cockroach infestations (1R41AI162017-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241828. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*