What is the difference between surface and subsurface insecticides?

Surface insecticides and subsurface insecticides serve different purposes and are applied in distinct ways based on the target pest’s habitat. Surface insecticides are designed to be applied to the top layer of soil or directly onto vegetation. They work mainly by contact or ingestion when pests come into contact with or feed on treated surfaces. This makes them particularly effective for pests that reside above the soil or on plant surfaces.

In contrast, subsurface insecticides are formulated to be incorporated into the soil where they can target pests that live and feed underground. These insecticides are specifically engineered to move within the soil to reach pests that are not accessible through surface applications.

Therefore, the answer highlighting that surface insecticides act on contact or ingestion by pests on surfaces while subsurface insecticides specifically target pests underground captures the critical distinction in application and effectiveness between the two types of insecticides.