pestizide

Pestizide is a substance or mixture used to control pests, including insects, weeds, fungi, rodents, and other organisms that threaten crops, stored products, human health, or the environment. The term is used in several languages, notably German, to denote pesticides in general.

Pestizide can be chemical or biological. Chemical pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides. They may be synthetic or derived from natural sources. Biological pestizide categories include microbial pesticides (such as Bacillus thuringiensis), pheromone-based products, and plant-derived compounds.

They are applied in agriculture, forestry, urban areas, and households using sprays, granules, seed treatments, or baits. Selection depends on the target pest, crop, and local regulations, with attention to dosage, timing, and resistance management.

Regulation emphasizes safety and environmental protection. Pesticides require registration, labeling, and residue limits. In the European Union, plant protection products are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009; in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency administers registration under FIFRA. Compliance includes worker protection standards, proper storage, and adherence to application instructions.

Environmental and health concerns include toxicity to non-target organisms, pollinators, and aquatic systems, as well as pesticide resistance and contamination of soil and water. These concerns have driven shifts toward integrated pest management and reduced-risk products, emphasizing prevention, monitoring, and the use of alternatives alongside pesticides.

Historically, pest control has evolved from arsenic and sulfur compounds to synthetic organochlorines like DDT and beyond, leading to more targeted and safer formulations. The modern framework emphasizes safe use, monitoring, and alternatives alongside pesticides.