In 1983, two chemists at Yale University created a substance called periplanone-B that induced a sexual frenzy in male American cockroaches. This discovery sparked excitement as scientists envisioned using this substance to build a better trap for cockroaches. At the time, cockroaches were a severe problem in major U.S. cities, and traditional methods of control were ineffective. Despite the initial hype, the periplanone-B solution proved to be unsuccessful. However, another solution to the cockroach problem was already in the works—Combat, a roach trap that drastically reduced infestations. This forgotten achievement in pest control had a significant impact but has now been largely forgotten.
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2023/11/cockroach-bait-invention-combat/676167/