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Pesticides
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Use biorational-type pesticides whenever
possible
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Summary: Pesticides can be
categorized as synthetic, organic, inorganic
and/or biorational. The first three indicate
the source of the active ingredient while the term
biorational means that the product is less toxic and
has minimal impact on the environment.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Pesticide types
The definition of
"pesticide" is pretty simple. Pesticides are
chemicals that kill
pests or disrupt pest populations. A pest
is an organism (plant, animal, fungus, or microbe)
that causes some type of damage to something we
value. Furthermore, pesticides can be grouped in a
number of different ways based on their active
ingredients and how they work such as synthetic
pesticides, organic pesticides,
inorganic pesticides and biorational
pesticides.
Synthetic
pesticides
Pesticides in this
group, for example carbaryl
(Sevin), fipronil
(Termidor) and imidacloprid
(Merit, Bayer Advanced), are manufactured in a
laboratory and marketed/sold by a chemical company.
Synthetic pesticides are further grouped into
similar chemical classes such as
organochlorines, organophosphates,
pyrethroids,
and carbamates.
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Cleaner,
Safer,
Botanical (Organic) Pesticides For Home And Garden
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Synthetic pesticides have
been widely used since the end of World War II. During
the last 60 years new synthetic pesticides have become
more pest specific, exhibit lower toxicity and are
less environmentally damaging. While synthetic
pesticides have contributed to an abundant and cheap
food supply they still present a certain amount of
risk to human and environmental health.
Organic pesticides
Pesticides in this group,
for example rotenone, pyrethrum,
nicotine, neem oil, and
all of the botanical
pesticides are products
of living organisms. Often they are chemicals
that plants and microbes use to protect themselves
from parasites, predators and pathogens.
Nicotine, for example, is
produced by plants in the genus Nicotiana as a
powerful herbivore (plant-feeding) deterrent. Nicotine
is also a potent insecticide and is highly toxic to
mammals. In small doses, delivered by smoking dried
tobacco leaves, nicotine is a stimulant.
Organic pesticides are
often lower in toxicity than older synthetic
pesticides but this is not always the case. Organic
does not necessarily equal low toxicity and
environmentally safer.
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Inorganic
pesticides
Pesticides in this
group, for example borates, silicates and sulfur,
are minerals
that are mined from the earth and ground
into a fine powder. Some work as poisons and some
work by physically interfering with the pest.
Older "inorganics" included such highly toxic
compounds as arsenic, copper, lead and tin salts.
Current
inorganic pesticides are relatively low in
toxicity and have low environmental impact. Borate
insecticides, such as Bora
Care and Timbor
have many uses in structural pest management and
are very safe compared to older conventional
pesticides (see Bora
Care Insecticide and Timbor
Insecticide).
Biorational
pesticides
This term refers to
synthetic, organic, or inorganic pesticides that
are both low toxicity and exhibit a very low
impact on the environment. "Biorationals"
also have minimal impact on species for which they
are not intended (called non-target species).
Biorational pesticides include oils, insecticidal
soaps, microbials (such as Bacillus
thurengienesis and entomopathogenic
nematodes), botanicals
(plant-based) and insect
growth regulators. The biorational
pesticides should therefore be your first choice
whenever a pesticide is needed (see What
are Natural Insecticides?).
Pesticide
Reference Books
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Mission: To
provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information
for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as
well.
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