What is the primary function of suffocants?

Suffocants are a specific type of pesticide that work by disrupting the respiratory processes of target pests, effectively blocking their ability to breathe. This blockage leads to the death of the pests, making suffocants particularly useful for controlling insects that rely on their respiratory systems for survival.

By disrupting oxygen intake, suffocants cause physiological stress that results in mortality. This method is especially effective for small or soft-bodied insects, as their respiratory systems are often directly exposed to the environment. In contrast, other substances or pesticide categories serve different functions, such as enhancing the overall efficacy of a treatment or drawing beneficial insects. Suffocants specifically target the respiration mechanism, making them distinct in their mode of action compared to other pest control strategies.