What term is used for materials that cause pest injury or death on contact?

The term used for materials that cause pest injury or death upon direct contact is "contact pesticide." These pesticides are designed to kill or incapacitate pests through physical contact, rather than through ingestion or absorption into the pest's body through other means. This mode of action is effective for managing a variety of pests, especially when immediate effectiveness is required.

In contrast, residual pesticides refer to those that remain active in the environment for a period after application, allowing for longer-lasting pest control but may not lead to immediate contact effects. Systemic pesticides are absorbed by the plants and affect pests that consume the treated plant material, which is a different mode of action than that of contact pesticides. Inert ingredients, on the other hand, do not have a direct effect on pests and are included in pesticide formulations primarily to aid in application or stability of the product. Thus, "contact pesticide" accurately describes the immediate and direct action against pests.