Which step is NOT necessary for reducing German cockroach populations in low-income housing?

In the context of reducing German cockroach populations, the option that suggests ignoring population assessments is not a necessary step and is, in fact, counterproductive. Population assessments are crucial for understanding the extent of the infestation, monitoring changes over time, and evaluating the effectiveness of control measures. Without this data, it becomes challenging to implement appropriate interventions or adjust strategies as needed.

On the other hand, regularly vacuuming can help reduce populations and remove food sources and egg cases. The use of insect growth regulators (IGRs) is a common practice in integrated pest management, as they disrupt the life cycle of cockroaches, preventing them from maturing and reproducing. Determining the assertiveness of a treatment approach is also important, as it helps ensure that the chosen strategies are effective and sufficiently tailored to the specific situation.

By focusing on population assessments, pest control efforts can be more strategic, targeted, and effective, while ignoring these assessments would likely lead to persistent infestations and ineffective resource use.