New termite chemistries are typically characterized as what type of treatment?

New termite chemistries are typically characterized as non-repellents because they are designed to be undetectable to termites, allowing them to come into contact with the treatment without being warded off. This is significant because non-repellent formulations enable termites to carry the active ingredient back to their colonies, leading to a more effective overall control of the termite population.

In using non-repellents, the treatment ensures that termites do not alter their behavior upon encountering the pesticide, thus promoting a thorough elimination of the colony as the termites inadvertently ingest or absorb the chemicals. This method reflects a more integrated pest management approach, as it relies on termites unwittingly spreading the insecticide.

In contrast, repellents would create a barrier that termites avoid, making it less likely for them to come into contact with the treatment. Attractants would draw termites toward the treatment instead, which is not the goal in controlling pest populations. Residuals refer to the lasting presence of chemicals in the environment but do not inherently describe the nature of their action regarding termite behavior.