COMPUTER AIDED DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR AMERICAN COCKROACH MANAGEMENT IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Abstract:
Decision-making for managing household cockroach infestations is a complicated process. Proper decisions concerning cockroach pest management should be made based on the integration of 1) biotic factors, such as pest biology, ecology, and behavior; 2) abiotic environmental factors, such as temperature and relative humidity; 3) target audience's attitude and pest tolerance level; and 4) social, legal regulations, and other constrains. Integrated pest management approaches and designs have rarely been incorporated into the decision-making process of cockroach management programs at the operational level. Lack of decision-making process continues to be a serious impediment to the development and implementation of integrated cockroach management programs in the urban environment. This paper addresses problem-solving techniques using computer-aided knowledge-based system technology for American cockroach pest management programs. Quantification of aesthetic injury level concept is discussed. A knowledge-based computer decision support system, Management of American Cockroach Decision Aid System (MACDAS), was developed to provide professional pest control operators with expert advice and recommendations, and to assist them making appropriate decisions for American cockroach, Periplaneta americana a(L .), management. MACDAS was constructed with an intelligent reasoning inference engine, databases with management options, an American cockroach population simulation model, synthesized and expert directed knowledge bases, and usercomputer dialog interfaces. Typically, pest control operators input relevant information inquired by the advisory system about the cockroach pest and their associated biotic, abiotic, and other constraints. The system provides ranked recommendations or advice for American cockroach management decision-making to the operator.