Aggregation pheromones are released by both sexes of certain species, and are more general in the effect that they have on the receiver, e.g. cockroaches typically release aggregation pheromones wherever they are, and in particular in and around sources of nutrition. This type of pheromone generally causes clumping and clustering behaviour of individuals. Many Cockroach lures are mixtures of aggregation pheromones from different species. This means that they are attractive to males, females and nymphs of several species of cockroach. Sex pheromones on the other hand are highly specific to species, sex and even stage of life cycle.
Pheromones are behaviour modifiers.
By attracting pests into traps it is possible to detect the presence of such pests before they become a problem. Monitoring - we can attract pests into traps and count them at set intervals. Although this has no direct affect on the pest population, it does provide invaluable information about that population. This information can then be used to refine and redirect control measures. Monitoring is also useful in determining how effective a control programme is.