Which characteristic distinguishes a sterilant from other pesticides?

A sterilant is specifically designed to control pests by preventing their reproduction, which is the key characteristic that sets it apart from other types of pesticides. While other pesticides might affect the behavior of pests, target specific plant health issues, or inadvertently enhance pest populations through various mechanisms, a sterilant directly interferes with the life cycle of the pest by inhibiting its ability to reproduce. This means that, instead of killing existing pests, a sterilant works to reduce future populations by ensuring that those pests that are present cannot produce offspring. This is particularly important in integrated pest management strategies where long-term control of pest populations is desired without relying solely on toxic methods.