Pesticides are chemical substances or biological organisms used to control pests, weeds or pathogens in agriculture, horticulture or the home. They are also referred to as pesticides.
Pesticides are used to control the growth of harmful organisms or to destroy them in order to minimize crop losses and protect crop health. They can come in a variety of forms, including sprays, powders, granules, or liquid formulations. There are different types of pesticides designed for specific purposes. For example, insecticides are used to kill insects or prevent them from reproducing. Herbicides are used to control weeds while fungicides are used to fight fungal infections. There are also acaricides to control mites, rodenticides to control rodent pests, and many other specific types of pesticides. Although pesticides can help control pests, there are also concerns about their impact on the environment and human and animal health. Some pesticides can accumulate in the environment and affect, for example, soil, water or the food chain. In addition, there is a risk that pesticides, if used improperly, can have negative effects on human health. Because of this, there are strict rules and regulations governing the use of pesticides to minimize their impact and ensure safety.