Pesticides

A pesticide is a substance that is used for preventing, destroying or repelling a pest. A pest is a living organism that is not wanted or causes damage to crops, people or animals. Pests are referred to as insects, mice, rats, weeds, mold and fungi, and bacteria and viruses (microorganisms). Pesticides are also known as insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides and fungicides. Common pesticide products that are used in households include cockroach sprays and baits, insect repellents, rat and rodent poisons, flea and tick sprays, powders and collars, disinfectants and sanitizers, mold and mildew killers, lawn and garden products, and some swimming pool chemicals. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/

Farmers regularly use pesticides to protect their crops from insects, weeds, fungi, rats, mice, flies while they are growing and while they are being stored. http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/about_pesticides.asp?id=219

Pesticides are harmful to people, animals and our environment as they have an adverse affect on all living organisms yet they are a necessary evil in order to control disease, insects and weeds. Pesticides that contain pheromones, and microbial pesticides are less damaging to us and to our environment and are becoming more popular. There are pest control devices that could be used instead of pesticides. These devices use a black light to trap, destroy and repel pests.

Although the U.S. Federal Government Pesticide-Producing Establishment (EPA) regulates pesticides, there are a number of types of pesticides that it does not regulate. These exclusions include drugs used to control disease in humans and animals, fertilizers and nutrients used for plant health and survival, biological control agents and products that contain low-risk ingredients such as garlic and mint oil. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/