insekticider

Insecticides, or insekticider in Danish, are substances designed to kill or control insects. They are used in agriculture, public health, forestry, and homes. Insecticides include chemical compounds, living biological agents, and plant-derived products, and they may kill insects outright, repel them, or interfere with development or reproduction.

Chemical insecticides comprise several classes with different actions. Organophosphates and carbamates inhibit acetylcholinesterase, pyrethroids disrupt nerve signaling by affecting sodium channels, and neonicotinoids act on nicotinic receptors. Organochlorines are restricted in many regions due to persistence and toxicity. Biopesticides use organisms or toxins such as Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana, or insect growth regulators like methoprene.

Formulations include sprays, dusts, granules, baits, and seed treatments, with applications in fields, greenhouses, storage, and urban settings. Integrated pest management combines chemical use with cultural, mechanical, and biological controls to reduce reliance on pesticides and slow resistance.

Safety and regulation: Insecticides can harm humans, pets, pollinators, and aquatic life. Compliance with label instructions, protective equipment, and regulatory requirements is essential. Authorities evaluate health and environmental risks and may restrict or ban certain substances.

Environmental effects and resistance: Non-target impacts and environmental persistence are concerns. Insects can develop resistance to a single mode of action, making rotation of classes and adherence to IPM important.

History: The modern era of synthetic insecticides began in the 20th century, with widespread use of organochlorines that spurred later regulation and the development of safer, more targeted products.