What does a desiccant do?

A desiccant is a substance that removes moisture from the environment, leading to the dehydration of insects. When insects come into contact with a desiccant, it disrupts their ability to retain moisture, which can ultimately lead to their death. This process is particularly effective against various pests, as many insects require a certain level of moisture to survive. By drawing the moisture out, desiccants accelerate the desiccation process and contribute to the effectiveness of pest control strategies.

The other choices do not accurately describe the function of a desiccant. For example, increasing moisture contradicts the primary purpose of a desiccant, and enhancing feeding or stimulating reproduction has no relation to the drying effects that desiccants have on pests. Therefore, the correct understanding is that a desiccant specifically dehydrates insects, which is key to its role in pest control.