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A '''pesticide''' is a
chemical used to control, to repel, to attract or to kill
pests, for example,
insects,
weeds,
birds,
mammals,
fish, or
microbes, that are considered a nuisance. Pesticides are usually, but not always,
poisons.
== Examples of pesticides ==
*
herbicides for destruction or development prevention of
weeds
*
fungicides for destruction or development prevention of
fungi (example,
QoI)
*
insecticides for destruction or development prevention of
insects
*
Growth regulators to prevent excess growth of a plant (prevention of lodging in wheat)
*
molluscicides (against
snails...)
*
acaricides or
miticides against
mites
*
rodenticides for destruction or development prevention of rodents
* products favoring plant resistance...
Chemical engineers continually develop new pesticides to produce enhancements over previous generations of products.
DDT is an example of a once heavily used pesticide, while
glyphosate today is the world's most used herbicide.
Some crops, such as
Bt corn, are
genetically engineered to create their own pesticides.
In the
US, all materials intended for sale and use as pesticides must be registered with the
EPA. The process may be long, complex, and expensive, because research must prove that the material is effective against the intended pest, yet safe to use. During the registration process a pesticide label is created, which has directions for proper use of the material. Use not consistent with the label is
pesticide misuse.
Some pesticides are considered too
hazardous for sale to the general public, and these are designated
restricted pesticides. Only certified applicators, who have taken a course and passed an examination, may purchase and use restricted pesticides. Records of sales and use are kept, and can be audited by the EPA.
"Read and follow label directions." is often quoted by county extension agents, garden columnists and others teaching about pesticides. This is not merely good advice; it is the law, for the USA. Similar laws exist in much of the rest of the world. The
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (
FIFRA) set up the current system of pesticide regulations. It was amended somewhat by the
Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Its purpose is to make pesticide manufacture, distribution and use as safe as possible. The most important point for users to understand is that it a violation to apply any pesticide in a manner not in accordance with the label for that pesticide. It is a
crime to do so intentionally.
Most pesticides present some danger to humans when used to control weeds or insects on
food crops. This is one basis for the
organic food movement. Certain food crops such as
apples,
peppers,
celery,
cherries,
grapes,
nectarines,
peaches,
pears,
potatoes,
red raspberries,
spinach, and
strawberries contain
residual pesticides after being washed or peeled, although they may still meet government limits which are set to minimize exposure not eliminate it. These crops are the so-called
dirty dozen as designated by the
Environmental Working Group which has issued a Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce.
Besides human health risks, pesticides also pose dangers to the environment. Non-target organisms can be severely impacted. In some cases where a pest insect normally has some controls from a
beneficial insect predator or
parasite, an insecticide application can kill both pest and beneficial. The control insect almost always takes longer to recover than the pest. Applications for adult
mosquitoes, for example, may temporarily depress mosquito populations, but cause a larger population in the long run, by damaging controlling factors. Pesticides are also a factor in
pollinator decline, which is a food supply issue.
==See also==
*
Category: Pesticide
*
herbicide,
DDT,
pesticide misuse,
FIFRA,
pesticide poisoning,
Temik,
Alar.
== External links ==
*
Compendium of Pesticide Common Names.
da:Pesticid
de:Pestizid
fr:pesticide
ja:農薬
nl:Chemisch bestrijdingsmiddel
pl:Pestycyd
