What is a Pesticide? 

U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs 14feb97 

(verified 19feb2006)

Many household products are pesticides.

Did you know that all of these common products are considered pesticides?

• Cockroach sprays and baits

• Insect repellents for personal use.

• Rat and other rodent poisons.

• Flea and tick sprays, powders, and pet collars.

• Kitchen, laundry, and bath disinfectants and sanitizers.

• Products that kill mold and mildew.

• Some lawn and garden products, such as weed killers.

• Some swimming pool chemicals.

By their very nature, most pesticides create some risk of harm to humans, animals, or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms. In the United States, the Office of Pesticide Programs of the Environmental Protection Agency is chiefly responsible for regulating pesticides. Biologically-based pesticides, such as pheromones and microbial pesticides, are becoming increasingly popular and often are safer than traditional chemical pesticides.

Here are some common kinds of pesticides and their function:

• Algicides
      Control algae in lakes, canals, swimming pools, water tanks, and other sites.

• Antifouling agents
      Kill or repel organisms that attach to underwater surfaces, such as boat bottoms.

• Antimicrobials
      Kill microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses).

• Attractants
      Attract pests (for example, to lure an insect or rodent to a trap). (However, food is not considered a pesticide when used as an attractant.)

• Biocides
      Kill microorganisms.

• Disinfectants and sanitizers
      Kill or inactivate disease-producing microorganisms on inanimate objects.

• Fungicides
      Kill fungi (including blights, mildews, molds, and rusts).

• Fumigants
      Produce gas or vapor intended to destroy pests in buildings or soil.

• Herbicides
      Kill weeds and other plants that grow where they are not wanted.

• Insecticides
      Kill insects and other arthropods.

• Miticides (also called acaricides)
      Kill mites that feed on plants and animals.

• Microbial pesticides
      Microorganisms that kill, inhibit, or out compete pests, including insects or other microorganisms.

• Molluscicides
      Kill snails and slugs.

• Nematicides
      Kill nematodes (microscopic, worm-like organisms that feed on plant roots).

• Ovicides
      Kill eggs of insects and mites.

• Pheromones
      Biochemicals used to disrupt the mating behavior of insects.

• Repellents
      Repel pests, including insects (such as mosquitoes) and birds.

• Rodenticides
      Control mice and other rodents.

The term pesticide also includes these substances:

• Defoliants
      Cause leaves or other foliage to drop from a plant, usually to facilitate harvest.

• Desiccants
      Promote drying of living tissues, such as unwanted plant tops.

• Insect growth regulators
      Disrupt the molting, maturity from pupal stage to adult, or other life processes of insects.

• Plant growth regulators
      Substances (excluding fertilizers or other plant nutrients) that alter the expected growth, flowering, or reproduction rate of plants.

What about pest control devices?

EPA also has a role in regulating devices used to control pests. More specifically, a "device" is any instrument or contrivance (other than a firearm) intended for trapping, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest. A mousetrap is an example of a device. Unlike pesticides, EPA does not require devices to be registered with the Agency. Devices are subject to certain labeling, packaging, record keeping, and import/export requirements, however.

What is not a pesticide?

The U.S. definition of pesticides is quite broad, but it does have some exclusions:

• Drugs used to control diseases of humans or animals (such as livestock and pets) are not considered pesticides; such drugs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

• Fertilizers, nutrients, and other substances used to promote plant survival and health are not considered plant growth regulators and thus are not pesticides.

• Biological control agents, except for certain microorganisms, are exempted from regulation by EPA. (Biological control agents include beneficial predators such as birds or ladybugs that eat insect pests.)

• Finally, EPA has also exempted certain other low-risk substances, such as cedar chips, garlic, and mint oil.

source: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/whatis.htm  EPA Office of Pesticide Programs updated July 12, 2001
now at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/ verified 19feb2006