Why is there a delay between a cockroach crossing a treated surface and dying?

Answer

The insect must ingest the chemical while grooming after contact

Modern professional pesticides are designed to be residual, meaning they do not kill on immediate contact. When a cockroach walks across a treated area, it picks up the pesticide particles on its legs and antennae. Because roaches are meticulous about grooming, they subsequently ingest the chemical as they clean these appendages. The chemical then enters their system and disrupts the nervous system, a process that takes hours or even days to complete, leading to the delayed death observed in these pests.

Why is there a delay between a cockroach crossing a treated surface and dying?
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