Chemorepellents

Chemorepellents are chemical substances that provoke avoidance or rejection responses in other organisms, thereby reducing contact with the source of the cue. They are distinguished from attractants, which draw organisms toward a stimulus. Chemorepellents can act through olfactory detection, gustatory irritation, or tactile irritation, and may be volatile or require physical contact.

In insects and other pests, chemorepellents often function by disrupting odor perception or producing a repellent sensation that prompts the animal to retreat. Examples include synthetic products used as insect repellents and plant-derived volatiles that deter feeding or landing. In mammals, certain capsaicinoids and related compounds act as feeding deterrents by causing irritation or pain, thereby reducing palatability and contact with the source.

Applications span agricultural pest management, storage protection, household deterrence of nuisance species, and some forms of wildlife management. Chelorepellents may be used alone or in combination with other control methods, and they are valued for potentially lower toxicity to non-target organisms when effective at appropriate concentrations.

Effectiveness varies widely by species, developmental stage, environmental conditions, and exposure duration. Organisms can habituate or adapt to certain chemorepellents, reducing long-term impact. Safety, environmental impact, and regulatory status are important considerations, as chemorepellents can affect non-target species and ecosystems. Ongoing research seeks new compounds, blends, and delivery methods to enhance specificity and efficiency while minimizing harm.