What is the key characteristic of contact pesticides?

The core characteristic of contact pesticides is that they work by physically touching the pest or the surfaces they inhabit. Contact pesticides are designed to kill pests upon direct contact, meaning that these substances do not need to be ingested or absorbed through the skin to be effective. This mode of action makes them particularly useful in situations where pests are actively crawling or flying in areas where the pesticide has been applied.

This characteristic is crucial for applicators to understand because it influences how they apply these products and where they should target their treatments for maximum effectiveness. Unlike systemic pesticides, which are absorbed and distributed within a plant or animal and can affect pests that feed on them, contact pesticides rely on immediate contact to exert their effects. As such, they often require careful application to ensure proper coverage of the target areas, which is vital for successful pest control.