Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals or biological agents (such as viruses or bacteria) used to control or eliminate pests. Pests can be anything that disturbs human life, agriculture, horticulture, or domestic animals. Pests are most often insects, but they may be bacteria, fungi, weeds, unwanted fish, rodents, nematodes (roundworms), deer, or rabbits. Pests may be native to a local environment or invasive species. Pesticides are often classified according to the type of pest they are designed to control or eliminate. There are five kinds of pesticides: fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, and a miscellaneous category.

Fungicides are used against pathogenic fungi to either prevent the spread of the fungus or eliminate the infection. Fungi may infect plants, animals, and humans, damaging crops or human health. The damage may cost ...