What substance is commonly found in bait formulations for pest control?

Bait formulations for pest control are specifically designed to attract pests while simultaneously delivering a lethal dose of poison. This method is effective because it lures the target pest into consuming the bait, which leads to its demise. A food attractant is critical in these formulations, as it increases the likelihood that pests will engage with the bait, ensuring that they ingest the toxic substance contained within.

Using a combination of an attractant and poison is a widely adopted strategy in pest management, as it takes advantage of the pests' natural behaviors. Many pests rely on food sources that are familiar to them, and incorporating these attractants can significantly boost the effectiveness of the control method. The poison typically used in these baits is designed to be potent enough to eliminate the pest after ingestion, while the food component helps mask the toxicity to encourage consumption.

The other options do not align with typical bait formulations used for pest control. Growth hormones, natural herbicides, and synthetic pheromones do not serve the dual purpose of attracting pests for ingestion of a toxic agent. Therefore, the formulation of a food attractant combined with a poison is recognized as the standard approach in pest baiting strategies.