Unfortunately, pests also invade fields and attack the crops cultivated for food and fiber. Large acreages of the same crops or concentrations of food-producing animals in a limited area favor buildup of insects, diseases, and certain weeds that must be controlled if usable food and fiber products are to be produced. Current estimates are that insects, diseases, and weeds destroy approximately one-third of the world food supply, even with the use of the most current pest management technology. Losses without this technology could soar to 60 to 80 percent. Use of Pesticides For many years, pesticides have been used in conjunction with host plant resistance, cultural, mechanical, and biological tactics in an integrated pest management system to combat the battle against destructive pests.
Pesticides can be toxic to man, animals, and plants if improperly used.
Several early insecticides and fungicides contained highly toxic, heavy metals such as arsenic, copper, lead, and mercury, or other toxic compounds such as nicotine. Most of these early pesticides are no longer approved for use. Fortunately, advances and developments in the agrichemical industry have provided modern pesticides that are much less toxic to the applicator and environment, but still control the pests that damage crops, livestock, forests, and homes. Many people are frightened by pesticides and thoughts of pesticide residues in food supplies. However, there are stringent regulations governing manufacturers and users of pesticides.