What is the primary function of ovicides in pest control?

Ovicides are specifically designed to target the eggs of insects, making their primary function the destruction of those eggs. By killing the eggs before they hatch, ovicides effectively reduce the population of pests over time, as fewer adults emerge to reproduce. This method of pest control is crucial in integrated pest management strategies, as it helps break the lifecycle of pest populations and minimizes the need for more drastic measures later on.

The other options focus on different roles within pest management: some are aimed at attracting insects for monitoring or trapping purposes, while others work to deter pests from an area or target different types of pests entirely, such as rodents. Each of these actions serves a different purpose, but in the context of ovicides, the essential role is to eliminate eggs, providing a proactive approach to pest control.