Controlling insect pests still relies on the extensive usage of
generic and established methods, such as pesticides, which
utilise broad spectrum chemicals or toxins persisting in the
environment and targeting non-pest insect species.
Therefore, more effective and environmental friendly
approaches are needed to counteract these damaging
effects. Since a laser can be remotely directed to neutralise
undesirable targets, this approach could be highly promising
for controlling insect pests in a selective and ecofriendly
fashion. In this study, we present a laser system automated
by machine vision for neutralising and influencing the behaviour of insect pests. By performing experiments on domiciliary cockroaches, Blattella germanica, we demonstrate that
our approach enables the immediate and selective neutralisation of individual insects at a distance up to 1.2 m. We
further show the possibility to deter cockroaches by training
them not to hide under a dark shelter through aversive heat
conditioning with a low power-laser. Parameters of our prototype system can readily be tuned for applications in various
situations and on different pest species like mosquitoes,
locusts, and caterpillars. The prospect of this study is to
pursue the creation of a standalone, safe for the environment, compact, low-cost, and energy-efficient device system
for pest control