Insecticides

Insecticides are chemical substances used to kill or control populations of insects. They are designed to target specific insect pests that can cause damage to crops, transmit diseases, or infest homes and buildings. Insecticides come in various formulations such as sprays, dusts, baits, and systemic treatments, and they can be applied using different methods including spraying, dusting, fogging, or application to soil or seeds.

Insecticides work by interfering with the physiology, behavior, or development of insects. Some insecticides act on the insect’s nervous system, disrupting nerve impulses and causing paralysis or death. Others may affect the insect’s growth and development, reproductive abilities, or feeding habits. The mode of action depends on the specific chemical compound and its formulation.

In agriculture, insecticides play a crucial role in protecting crops from insect pests, which can cause significant yield losses if left unchecked. They are used on a wide range of crops including fruits, vegetables, grains, and ornamental plants. Insecticides are also used in forestry, public health programs to control disease vectors like mosquitoes, and in residential settings to control pests like ants, cockroaches, and termites.