These have many IPM and IRM applications. Formulated into lures, they can be used in traps to capture specific species or a number of related species. Traps can be used to monitor insect population levels from site to site, week to week and year to year. In select cases semiochemical traps can be used to mass-trap damaging infestations. For example, Bark beetle tree baits create mass attack when deployed on susceptible host trees enabling foresters to concentrate infestations for more effective removal.
Semiochemical traps are also effective for quarantine detection of non-indigenous insects.
Attractant pheromones, formulated as sprays or small release particles, can also be used to disrupt insect mating. Attractant honey bee pheromones can manipulate bee behavior at the hive level as well as improve crop pollination. Repellant semiochemicals are typically Allomones or Pheromones. Both can be used to communicate to pests that the host is too crowded and thus unsuitable for colonizing. Allomones acting as non-host volatiles can also signal that the prospective host is incompatible.