These chemicals were presented as a panacea for insect and other pest problems in the 1970’s, but most actual attempts to control pest populations failed.
Lack of understanding of the particular pest and its ecological context was called the most common cause of failure. Some maintain that pest-control applications must be made with extensive knowledge and careful consideration of pest characteristics and the ecological system.
In this context, pheromones have become a part of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, in which they are used along with the pest’s parasites and predators, resistant crop varieties, insecticides, and other weapons to control pests. In this role, pheromones have shown great promise.