Like pheromones (communication chemicals used within a species), kairomones can be utilized as an attracticide to lure a pest species to a location containing pesticide. However, they might also be used to lure desired species. Kairomones produced by the hosts of parasitic wasps have been used in an attempt to attract them and keep them around in crops where they reduce herbivory, but this could instead result in fewer attacks on the herbivorous pest if the applied kairomone distracts them from finding real hosts. For example, studies have shown that kairomones are effective in attracting female African sugarcane borers to deposit eggs on dead leaf material.
Recent discoveries have highlighted that predators are attracted to the odour of co-existing predators.
Kairomones have been extensively studied, and some are in successful usage, in Floridas Anastrepha suspensa' eradication zone in support of the citrus, and various other orchard industries there.