How to get rid of cockroaches in an apartment? Proven methods and tools

“How to get rid of cockroaches in an apartment?” - Thousands of people across Russia ask themselves a similar question every day. It doesn’t matter where they live: in a student dormitory or in luxury housing. After all, cockroaches absolutely don’t care what your social status and income level are - they can appear anywhere, and no one is immune from this scourge. What types of cockroaches there are, why they are dangerous, what conditions are comfortable for them and what are not, and how to get cockroaches out of your apartment forever will be discussed in our article.

Varieties of cockroaches: black, red, furniture and American

In total, there are more than 50 species of cockroaches in Russia, but fortunately, most of them live in the southern regions of the country and prefer wild nature, so they practically do not interact with humans. But there are also those species that settle in human dwellings and exist at the expense of people. These are the so-called synanthropic species - they are considered parasites. In the central part of Russia, including Moscow and the region, the following types of cockroaches are most often found:

• furniture;
• black;
• ginger;
• American.

Black cockroaches
or Blatta orientails are much larger than their red counterparts, but are inferior to them in the speed of reproduction, therefore, as a rule, they lose the fight for territory. Males and females differ in size: the male has a slender, elongated body 20-26 mm long, and the female has a stocky body, 18-30 mm long. Interestingly, these cockroaches have wings, but thank goodness they cannot fly. The lifespan of an adult cockroach is 1-6 months. During this time, the female manages to lay eggs 8 times (in one clutch there are about 16 eggs). Black cockroaches prefer damp, dark and warm places in the house. They feed on leftover human food, indoor plants, animal feed and organic debris.

Red cockroaches
(Blattella germanica in Latin) are also called “Prussians”. They successfully compete with black cockroaches for territory and gradually displace them. They first appeared in the Russian Empire back in the 18th century and are completely dependent on humans. This species is unable to survive in the wild. The size of an adult is 10-15 mm, the female during the breeding season increases to 20-25 mm. Adult insects live from 1 to 1.5 years. During this time, the female manages to lay eggs 8 times (in one clutch there are 30-40 eggs). Red cockroaches prefer to live in warm, moist and dark places. They cannot tolerate bright light, both natural and electric. They feed on pet food, natural fabrics, paper, leftover human food, and glue.

American cockroach or Periplaneta americana

appeared in Russia in the early 1990s. These are the largest cockroaches of all that are found in our country. The body size of an adult reaches 40-50 mm, and the size of a female during the breeding season is 50-60 mm. These cockroaches have wings and periodically use them for small flights/jumps, but still prefer to move on the ground. Unlike Prussians, they live long: the lifespan of females is about 3 years, males - 1.5 years. The female is capable of laying eggs monthly (each clutch contains 16 eggs). American cockroaches prefer to settle in heated basements, winter gardens, greenhouses, and underground heated communications. They feed on pet food, excrement, and leftover human food.

Furniture or brown-banded cockroaches

also appeared in our country relatively recently - in the 70s of the 20th century. They are very similar to their red counterparts both in size (10-15 mm) and color. A distinctive feature is two brown spots. Unlike Prussians, they have wings, which are actively used mainly by males. The average lifespan is 80 days. During this time, an adult female manages to lay eggs up to 20 times (up to 18 eggs in one clutch). Since the furniture cockroach is less demanding of moisture, it settles mainly in dry, dark, but warm places: in furniture, bedrooms, corridors, things.

More detailed information about different types of cockroaches can be found in another article. However, it should be remembered that, in principle, there is no big difference which cockroaches are infested in the apartment - they fight different types with the same means.

General information about parasites: what they prefer, where they settle, behavioral characteristics

Cockroaches are very unpretentious insects, which is why they have successfully spread throughout the planet and will probably survive humanity as a species. There are several prerequisites for this:

• high survival rate of young individuals;
• resistance to external environmental factors;
• Some species can live without food for up to 2 months;
• The presence of wings and the ability to jump allows you to capture more and more new territories.

If there are a lot of cockroaches in the apartment, then this indicates that there is a sufficient amount of food for insects in the house. What do parasites eat? Short answer: almost everyone, because they are omnivorous insects. At the same time, red cockroaches can live without food for up to 40 days, and black cockroaches - up to 70!

However, cockroaches still have some preferences in food. First, organic food. Various scraps of animal or plant origin from the home table: sugar, cheese, butter, meat, fruit, bread, etc.

Secondly, paper, soap, leather goods, cosmetics. All this can be used for food if there is a shortage of usual food. Small but powerful jaws can bite through even hard surfaces. Cockroaches are especially dangerous during periods of hunger, because in search of food they can even bite a person, lick saliva and tears, while gnawing through the skin.

Cockroaches also have their own “daily routine”. During the day they prefer to hide in shelters and go in search of food at night or early in the morning. I hope we were able to cover the topic of what cockroaches eat. Now let's move on to the topic of what parasites need to reproduce safely.

For a comfortable living, cockroaches choose premises that meet the following conditions:

• high humidity;
• the presence of dark corners and you will run away (small cracks, space under the baseboard);
• a sufficient amount of organic residues of animal and plant types;
• warm (over 20°C) temperature.

Finding a cockroach nest on your own is not difficult. Most often they can be found in the following places:

• under the baseboard;
• under the refrigerator;
• under the sink;
• in the cavity between the walls and peeling wallpaper;
• in small and large cracks in furniture and floors;
• in the ventilation and air conditioning system;
• in the interior space of furniture drawers, ovens, microwaves;
• under the bath;
• near sewer and water pipes.

Prevention

These measures can also help prevent cockroaches from getting into your home:

• Do not leave dirty dishes with food residues on the table or in the sink;
• Throw out trash in a timely manner;
• Fix leaking pipes, this way you can deprive insects of water. And she is very important for their lives;
• Arrange constant ventilation of the home;
• Seal all the cracks, cover the ventilation holes with a special mesh. This will block access for insects from neighbors;
• During wet cleaning, it is recommended to use deterrents - vinegar, wormwood, etc.

We hope that our article will help you get rid of these insects.

Where do cockroaches come from?

To the question: “Where do cockroaches come from?” It’s not difficult to answer, because there are only two main options: you came yourself or you brought them. Cockroaches can easily get into an apartment along with:

• luggage;
• kitchen furniture, especially used;
• food products in bags;
• clothes and shoes that were left in the wardrobe, locker room or other public places.

In rare cases, pets can act as carriers of cockroaches. During a walk, a cockroach can cling to the dog's fur and thus get into the house.

Cockroaches can independently enter an apartment through:

• ventilation shaft;
• open windows and window;
• hood;
• risers in the bathroom if they are poorly insulated.

As a rule, cockroaches wander from one apartment to another after they have been poisoned. That is why you can effectively get rid of pests only in cooperation with at least your neighbors in the staircase. Simultaneous measures to remove parasites will help eliminate all individuals and prevent the reappearance of cockroaches.

Use of mechanical traps

If there are not very many pests, try catching them using simple mechanical traps. Making such a trap is very simple: you will need double-sided tape and bait. The tape is glued to a piece of cardboard so that the sticky layer remains exposed. You need to put bait in the center of the cardboard: a piece of sausage or lard. Cockroaches will be drawn to the smell of food and will stick to the tape. The only thing is to watch where you place the trap, don’t get caught in it yourself.

For your information! Cockroaches are very curious, so they will definitely show interest in a new item, especially if it smells edible.

Sticky traps are also available at the factory.

How dangerous are cockroaches?

Cockroaches pose a danger to humans as carriers of diseases and pathogenic microbes. Insects that live in basements come into contact with mice and rats; parasites living in attics - interact with birds and their excrement. Both of them are carriers of a large number of different diseases.

In addition, the chitinous coverings of cockroaches are constantly in contact with fungi, mold spores, and helminth larvae - all this “living life” lives on sewer pipes and garbage chutes. And then the cockroach comes into contact with a person through dishes, skin bites or food.

Even at home, cockroaches can be carriers of:

• more than 40 types of pathogenic bacteria (typhoid, intestinal infection, pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, tuberculosis, gastroenteritis);
• intestinal amoeba - the causative agent of dysentery and colitis;
• polio virus;
• more than 15 types of fungi;
• toxoplasma;
• helminth eggs.

In addition, cockroaches are sources of a large number of allergens. Thus, they actively spread mold spores, which can cause asthma. Particles of the chitinous shell can cause irritation of human mucous membranes.

How to get rid of parasites in your home and prevent them from returning?

Killing insects is not that easy. After all, for an effective fight you need to choose the right “weapon”. Most often they resort to the following means:

• chemical methods;
• physical methods;
• folk remedies;
• special devices and traps.

As a rule, a combination of different methods shows high efficiency. However, even if you managed to get rid of the parasites, a number of conditions must be followed in the future to avoid their return:

• exterminate insects at all stages of their development - from imago to adult;
• determine the routes by which parasites enter the house and block them;
• store food in airtight containers that will block access to them;
• maintain cleanliness, thereby preventing the creation of favorable conditions for parasites;
• prevent the formation of water leaks in the bathroom and kitchen;
• develop several options for counteracting parasites, depending on their numbers and individual characteristics of the room.

If insects have settled in the entrance and from there they enter the home, then this problem should be reported to the management company. If parasites are crawling from your neighbors, then try to cooperate with your neighbors to fight together. However, sometimes situations arise when it is not possible to reach an agreement, then you should maximize the “protection” of your apartment and erect barriers to the cockroaches.

What do Prussians look like?

The cockroach has a small red abdomen hidden under its wings, although the insects do not fly. Its length is 15 mm, its color is heterogeneous - from light brown to yellow.

The female is different from the male. Her body is wide, equipped with mustaches that allow her to communicate with the outside world. If they are damaged, the pest dies, because it cannot exist without food, water and control contacts with other individuals. A bite from cockroaches is impossible, because they have underdeveloped jaws.

Traditional methods of fighting cockroaches

Traditional methods of fighting cockroaches

- this is a whole layer of oral creativity, because every family has its own “100% proven method” that will help get rid of parasites forever. However, for some reason, cockroaches still bother us. Let's figure out which “grandmother's methods” can really help solve the problem, and which are just an urban myth.

Traps.

A very common way to combat parasites. To make the simplest trap, you need to prepare the most ordinary 0.5 liter jars. Bait (beer, mayonnaise, honey, sugar and vanilla) is placed at the bottom of the jar, and the walls of the container are wiped with vegetable oil. At night, cockroaches go out in search of food and follow the strong smell of bait. Once inside the jar, the insect cannot get back out. Every morning you should clean the cockroach trap and add bait.

Another trap option is sticky cardboard.

. It is made quite simply: a square with sides from 10 to 15 cm is cut out of thick cardboard. We cover the edges of each side with double-sided tape, and place the bait in the center of the trap. We place them in rooms where pests are found, get rid of them in the morning, and place them again in the evening.

Boric acid

is a very effective means of combating cockroaches.
For humans and domestic animals it is a practically harmless substance, but for parasites it is a nerve poison. Boric acid itself does not attract cockroaches, so it should be added to the bait. Here are some simple but effective bait recipes:

• Mix boric acid salt, flour and sugar. Pour the resulting mixture onto cardboard squares and place it in all rooms. Additionally, treat cracks in the floor, furniture, under baseboards and other hard-to-reach places where cockroaches prefer to hide;
• Dilute a teaspoon of sugar or honey in half a glass of water, and then add a bag of boric acid (10 g). Pour the resulting syrup into plastic lids for jars and place them in the kitchen and bathroom. The poisoned syrup will attract parasites, and boric acid will do its job;
• Prepare the paste - pour boiling water over 20 g of flour. After it has cooled, add 2 bags of boric acid (20 g). Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and coat the cracks and openings in the kitchen and bathroom with the resulting mixture;
• Mix egg yolk, boiled potatoes, 20 g of boric acid and vegetable oil. You should get a mass similar to dough. Make balls out of it with a diameter of up to 2 cm. Place pieces of cardboard with balls in places where cockroaches are most likely to appear. After a week, change the bait - add minced meat or other ingredients, for example, pieces of bread, fruit puree, various cereals.

Remember that traps and baits will not give a quick effect - only after a few weeks of daily manipulations does mass death of parasites occur.

Turpentine and kerosene.

For the procedure you will need rubber gloves and a piece of cloth (rags). Soak a cloth in the liquid and thoroughly coat all crevices or areas where parasites most often appear. Repeat this procedure every 3-4 days. The strong smell of kerosene and turpentine repels parasites, but it is also harmful to humans, so you should be careful. Excessive inhalation of vapors from these liquids can lead to severe headaches.

Vinegar.

Is it possible to get rid of cockroaches using regular vinegar? It's difficult, long, but possible. To do this, you need to prepare a solution: add a tablespoon of vinegar and 5-10 drops of essential oil to a liter of water. We pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle and use it to treat the most likely habitats of cockroaches: ventilation grilles, kitchen cabinets, shelves in the bathroom and toilet, and the kitchen sink.

Onions and soda

quite often found in various recipes for removing cockroaches.
Let's consider the most effective options:

• soda, water, powder, chopped onion and vegetable oil are mixed into a homogeneous mass with a consistency reminiscent of dough. Small pea-shaped balls are formed from it, which are laid out in all corners of the rooms where parasites are found;
• chopped onion is mixed with soda and carefully placed on cardboard squares. Several such squares are placed in each room (kitchen, bathroom, corridor);
• soda, chopped onion, sugar or yolk are mixed until smooth. Balls are rolled out of it and placed in places with the greatest concentration of Prussians.

Another way to kill cockroaches is to deprive them of water.

Without it, they become more vulnerable, reproduce less well and are more susceptible to the effects of other means. You can do this with baking soda - just pour it into the sink overnight.

Exposure to frost.

A very extreme, but at the same time effective way. Cockroaches need a warm, humid environment, but at sub-zero temperatures (from -3°C) they die. You can create such conditions in your apartment in winter if you open the windows and balcony during severe frost outside. In this case, you can additionally insulate the radiators so that they do not interfere with the cooling process. Within a few hours the room will be at the required temperature. By repeating this procedure 2-3 times you can get rid of parasites. However, the problem is that cockroaches hide in remote places where the cold does not reach immediately, so the temperature in the room must be low for a long time.

Factor one: bright light

Most of the residents are familiar with this picture: when a person enters the kitchen at night and turns on the light, he sees a huge number of cockroaches scattering in all directions to quickly hide. This is evidence that cockroaches are active at night, but during the day they sit in their shelters. Of course, they are not so much afraid of bright lighting as of the looming danger in the form of a person who is ready to destroy them at any moment. Therefore, whoever failed to hide in time gets what he deserves.

Cockroaches are creatures that can get used to light. If you leave the light on all the time, then after a couple of days these insects will get used to such conditions and will go out hunting in full light. Therefore, to say that cockroaches are afraid of bright light would be somewhat incorrect, although in certain conditions bright light frightens them and they try to hide as quickly as possible.

Effect of essential oils on parasites

Cockroaches sense and distinguish odors well. The olfactory sensilla located on the antennae, head and jaw area are responsible for this process. Sharp and strong odors repel insects, so essential oils, if you read reviews on various resources, are a very effective means of fighting parasites. They cannot destroy cockroaches, but they can reliably protect your home from their appearance.

Insects are afraid of natural and synthetic essential oils. It is preferable to use natural oils, since they do not contain synthetic components. The most common options:

• lavender.

  The oil of this plant contains large quantities of linalool. This substance repels not only moths, but also cockroaches;

• mint.

  It contains alcohol, menthol and terpene. Laboratory studies have confirmed that the smell of mint is unpleasant to cockroaches and they tend to avoid its sources;

• tea tree.

  Terpene has a negative effect on insects. For greater efficiency, add a little table vinegar (9%) to the spray solution;

• eucalyptus.

  The plant oil contains menthoglycol in large quantities, which negatively affects the olfactory system of insects - they cease to correctly determine the location of food and are less oriented in space;

• him.

  The oil from this tree has been used to repel insects since ancient times. It contains substances such as picrin, azadirachtin, sialin and nimbin, which, in sufficient concentration, not only protect against the appearance of cockroaches, but can also destroy larvae and adults;

• rosemary.

  A recognized remedy for controlling flying insects (for example, mosquitoes), but it also effectively fights cockroaches. It contains rosmanic and carnosic acids, as well as carnosol;

• citronella.

  The oil of this plant has been tested in laboratory conditions and has shown good results in the fight against cockroaches;

• oregano/oregano.

  Oregano oil contains thymol, carvacrol and α-terpinene. These components repel pests. At the same time, oregano has a very light, unobtrusive aroma, which is an additional advantage;

• cedar.

  Cedar oils contain cedrol, which is sometimes called cedar or cypress camphor.

Essential oils can be used against cockroaches in a variety of ways:

• Spray mixture.

  The most common option. It’s easy to prepare the mixture: add 10-15 drops of essential oil to 0.5 liters of water;

• Apply to surfaces and objects.

  Essential oil is applied to objects with which insects come into contact;

• Cotton pads.

  Apply essential oil to cotton pads and place them on cardboard pads. A greater effect can be achieved if there is a heat source nearby, which will contribute to the spread of the smell;

• In solid form.

  Scented candles or sticks can also have a repellent effect on cockroaches;

• Live plants indoors.

  Lavender, oregano or catnip contain large amounts of essential oils in their leaves. The presence of such plants in the kitchen repels insects.

Factor three: high temperature

Cockroaches can also be controlled using high temperatures. Regular heat cannot kill a cockroach, but a stream of hot steam immediately leads to its death. Even boiling water can cause irreparable damage to the population of these insects. It is enough to pour boiling water over the areas where pests and cockroaches accumulate and this will significantly reduce them. Unfortunately, this method is unacceptable in an apartment, as it can flood your neighbors. As an option, you can use a household steam generator, with which you can treat any crevices where these insects hide.

Modern means to combat cockroaches

The chemical industry has given us many means to kill annoying insects. The huge variety makes your eyes wide open and making the right choice is not easy, so we will only talk about proven means.

Gektor.

Popular insecticide.
It has repeatedly proven its effectiveness at low and medium levels of contamination of the premises. This drug has the following features:

• belongs to hazard class 4;
• has no distinct odor;
• when used correctly, does not pose a threat to domestic animals and humans;
• approved for use on any objects;
• easily sticks to the legs and chitinous shell of insects;
• It is highly volatile, so when working with it you must use a mask or respirator.

The drug acts on the chitinous shell of the parasite, cutting holes in it. As a result of the adsorbing action, the insect begins to lose moisture. At the same time, boric acid penetrates into the opened wounds. Attempts to clean the shell of the adhered drug only worsen the situation. Gektor is perhaps the best way to get rid of small populations of cockroaches.

Global tool.

A modern drug made in Germany. Sold as a tube with a fine tip. The active ingredient is chlorpyrifos, a broad-spectrum insecticide. The drug affects the insect's nervous system, causing paralysis. One package (tube) is designed to treat a room up to 60 m². The product must be applied to the crack and other places where parasites hide. After contact with the gel, the cockroach spreads the poison in its colony for several hours, thereby greatly increasing the effectiveness of the product.

Dichlorvos.

A familiar product that is suitable both for the physical destruction of pests and for creating barrier protection. The main active ingredient can be different - permethrin, tetramethrin or dimethyl sulfoxide. It depends on the manufacturing company.

Trap "Combat".

This product is suitable for the destruction of small and medium-sized populations of cockroaches. The trap is a small disk with bait inside. The insect crawls inside, eats the sent “delicacy” and returns to its colony. All this time it spreads poison among its population. This is a very effective method of barrier protection - install traps near the places through which insects enter your home. This brand also produces cockroach control products in the form of aerosol and spray.

Gel "Dohlox".

The product contains finpronil, which effectively kills cockroaches within a few days after the first treatment of the premises. Finpronil affects the insect's nervous system, causing paralysis. In this case, the drug does not act instantly, but gives time (6-7 hours) for the cockroach to spread the poison among its fellow tribesmen. “Dohlox” is sold in the form of a gel with a syringe, which allows you to conveniently apply the product even into the smallest joints and hard-to-reach places.

Electronic insect control

Ultrasonic repellers and electric traps, according to manufacturers, perform a protective function. They primarily prevent insects from entering the premises. However, laboratory studies have not yet been conducted to prove or disprove their effectiveness.

On various forums, some users say that these products have proven themselves well and they are satisfied with them, while other users have not noticed any positive effect. Be that as it may, electronic means of controlling cockroaches are not capable of destroying pests, but only block (or not) their entry into the room. In any case, they should only be used in combination with other means.

Why did they come to you?

1. You have a lot of delicious food. Cockroaches also love to eat. Only if you eat sandwiches in front of the computer, they are content with little: the remaining crumbs. And they also have enough open garbage bags or buckwheat scattered in the kitchen drawer.
2. You have plenty of water available. A good lunch needs to be washed down. Therefore, puddles near the sink and a leaking shower stall will come in handy.
3. Your neighbors have plenty of food and water. No matter how hard you try to destroy pests, all your efforts may be frustrated by the stubbornness of your dirty neighbors. If you can’t come to an agreement with them, it’s enough to seal your own home: eliminate cracks and cracks.

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Professional remedies against cockroaches

If household insecticides are not enough to quickly remove pests from the apartment, then you should resort to more potent means, namely professional preparations. However, their use requires more attention, strict adherence to instructions and all precautions. After all, such drugs have great toxicity, which ensures their high effectiveness. Among professional products, the following drugs are especially popular:

• Medilis Super.

  It is sold in the form of a concentrated liquid and belongs to hazard class 3. The active ingredient is fenthion. The product is approved for treatment of residential premises and provides protection against various insects for 1.5 months;

• Get Total.

  Also refers to hazard class 3. The active ingredient is chlorpyrifos. Sold as a concentrated liquid, which must be diluted in water before use. Designed for processing objects of any type: from residential premises to industrial enterprises. Protects against insects for 160 days;

• Force site.

  It is a concentrated liquid that must be diluted in water. Also refers to hazard class 3. The active ingredient is fenthion. After completing sanitization, you should thoroughly (at least 60 minutes) ventilate the room.

However, despite their high efficiency, it is highly not recommended to use these products on your own, because their use requires special equipment, protective equipment and skills. That is why it is better to contact a professional sanitary and epidemiological service.

Factor nine: ultrasound

Ultrasonic repellers have a negative effect on both cockroaches and rodents. A person does not perceive ultrasound, but insects and rodents feel a sense of fear from its action and try to quickly leave the zone of its action.

If such a device is installed in an apartment, the insects will try to leave the apartment as quickly as possible. Modern products are compact in size and run on batteries. They can be installed in any room.

Preparing rooms for disinfestation

Is it possible to independently and safely use professional preparations designed to combat cockroaches? No, but it is quite possible to prepare the premises for disinfestation. Follow a series of procedures:

• remove garbage and unnecessary things from the premises;
• carry out wet cleaning;
• hide food supplies in the refrigerator;
• eliminate leaks in taps and other water supply elements;
• remove all objects from the walls, but do not take them out of the room;
• remove open containers with water;
• move the furniture 20-30 cm from the walls and provide access to all corners of the apartment;
• cover the electronics with film.

All these manipulations must be carried out in order for the chemical to cover as large an area as possible. This leaves cockroaches with virtually no places where they could hide from the effects of the insecticide.

Factor eight: ammonia

Cockroaches fear the smell of ammonia like fire. As far as we know, ammonia is an ammonia solution and can be purchased at any pharmacy. To carry out preventive work against insects, you need to take one teaspoon of ammonia and dilute it in 1 bucket of water. This solution is used for wet cleaning in the apartment. This is a fairly effective method, but it cannot be used often.

Ammonia has a very pungent odor that is difficult for even humans to withstand. Even after wet cleaning, the smell of ammonia can be felt for a long time. While cleaning, it is better to use a respirator and keep the windows open. It is acceptable to carry out such cleaning once a week.

What needs to be done after disinfestation?

After professional disinsection, you need to leave the apartment for several hours , and then:

• thoroughly ventilate all rooms.

  To do this, open all windows and leave them open for at least an hour;

• Make a water solution of soap and soda.

  Wipe contact surfaces of furniture with it, for example, door handles, countertops;

• wipe the floor with the same solution

  , but do not touch areas near walls.

Only after two weeks do a general cleaning. This is exactly how long it takes for the drug to have maximum effect on pests. For more detailed information about how you can clean the room after disinfestation, contact your exterminator.

Conclusion

Small cockroaches

- this is a big trouble in the apartment. However, in most cases, you can cope with parasites on your own. There are a large number of products on the market designed to kill cockroaches. In addition, there are proven folk methods that have proven their effectiveness against small and medium-sized insect colonies. If it is not possible to deal with cockroaches on your own, then you should contact the management company or directly to professional SES.

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