What term is applied to plants, animals, structures, and products to prevent entry or damage by pests?

What term is applied to plants, animals, structures, and products to prevent entry or damage by pests?

• A. Protectants
• B. Selective
• C. Sterilants
• D. Stomach poisons

Answer: (A)

Protectants are applied substances that create a protective barrier on plants, animals, structures, or stored products to keep pests from entering or feeding. They work by repelling pests, hindering their ability to feed, or forming a film that pests can’t penetrate, rather than killing pests after they ingest something. This is different from stomach poisons, which must be eaten to be effective, and from sterilants, which aim to prevent reproduction. The term covers a wide range of uses—from crops and seeds to animal coatings and building surfaces—where the goal is to prevent pest damage by blocking contact or feeding.

Protectants are applied substances that create a protective barrier on plants, animals, structures, or stored products to keep pests from entering or feeding. They work by repelling pests, hindering their ability to feed, or forming a film that pests can’t penetrate, rather than killing pests after they ingest something. This is different from stomach poisons, which must be eaten to be effective, and from sterilants, which aim to prevent reproduction. The term covers a wide range of uses—from crops and seeds to animal coatings and building surfaces—where the goal is to prevent pest damage by blocking contact or feeding.