Types of Pesticides

According to the law, a pesticide is any substance "intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest." There are many different types of pesticides and each is meant to be effective against specific pests. The term "-cide" comes from the Latin word "to kill."

Algaecides are used for killing and/or slowing the growth of algae.

Antimicrobials control germs and microbes such as bacteria and viruses.

Biopesticides are made of living things, come from living things, or they are found in nature.

Desiccants are used to dry up living plant tissues.

Defoliants cause plants to drop their leaves.

Disinfectants control germs and microbes such as bacteria and viruses.

Foggers (total release foggers) are used to kill insects that are in the open and touch the pesticides.

Fungicides are used to control fungal problems like molds, mildew, and rust.

Herbicides kill or inhibit the growth of unwanted plants, aka weeds.

Illegal and Counterfeit Pesticides are imported or sold illegally.

Insecticides are used to control insects.

Insect Growth Regulators disrupt the growth and reproduction of insects.

Minimum Risk Pesticides are exempt from EPA registration, but many states require them to be registered.

Miticides control mites that feed on plants and animals. Mites are not insects, exactly.

Molluscicides are designed to control slugs, snails and other molluscs.

Mothballs are insecticides used to kill fabric pests by fumigation in sealed containers.

Natural and Biological Pesticides control pests using things found in nature, or manmade versions of things found in nature.

Organic Pesticides are certain pesticides that are allowed for use on organic crops. People often refer to these as "organic or natural pesticides." They are typically based on naturally occurring substances such as microbes, minerals, or plant extracts.

Ovicides are used to control eggs of insects and mites.

Pheromones are biologically active chemicals used to attract insects or disrupt their mating behavior. The ratio of chemicals in the mixture is often species-specific.

Plant Growth Regulators are used to alter the growth of plants. For example, they may induce or delay flowering.

Repellents are designed to repel unwanted pests, often by taste or smell.

Rodenticides are used to kills rodents like mice, rats, and gophers.

Synergists make certain pesticides more effective, but they are not effective when used alone.

Treated Seeds are coated with a pesticide to limit crop damage from fungus and insects.

Wood Preservatives are used to make wood resistant to insects, fungus and other pests.

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.