Pesticides

Pesticides: what are they and how do they affect the environment?

Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill insects, fungi, bacteria and other pests that threaten crops and the health of people and animals. The name "pesticide" comes from the Latin word "pestis", which means pestilence or disease, and "caedo", which means to kill.

Pesticides are used in agriculture, horticulture, and gardening, as well as in the home to control insects and other pests. However, the use of pesticides can have negative impacts on the environment and human health.

One of the main problems with the use of pesticides is that they can accumulate in soil and water and have toxic effects on plants and animals. In addition, some pesticides can be carcinogenic and cause other diseases in humans.

Another concern associated with the use of pesticides is the possibility of pests developing resistance. This is because pesticides can only kill pests that do not have genetic protection against them. Thus, over time, pests become increasingly resistant to pesticides, leading to the need to use stronger and more environmentally hazardous chemicals.

To reduce the negative impact of pesticides on the environment and human health, various measures have been developed to control their use. These measures include restrictions on the use of certain types of pesticides, training and certification requirements for plant handlers, and compliance with certain pesticide use regulations.

In conclusion, pesticides are an integral part of modern agriculture and home pest control. However, their use may have negative impacts on the environment and human health. Therefore, it is important to observe certain control measures over their use in order to minimize their negative consequences.



Pesticides are chemicals that are used to control plant pests and diseases. They can be used both in agriculture and in other industries such as forestry and fishing.

Pesticides can be classified according to various criteria, such as mechanism of action, chemical structure, method of application, etc. For example, pesticides can be divided into groups according to their mechanism of action: insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, etc.

Insecticides are used to kill insect pests such as aphids, spider mites, beetles, etc. Fungicides are used to control fungal plant diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot, etc. Herbicides are used to kill weeds and other unwanted plants.

However, the use of pesticides can have negative consequences for the environment and human health. Some pesticides can accumulate in soil and water and be absorbed by plants and animals. This can lead to food and water contamination and poisoning of people and animals.

To minimize the negative consequences of using pesticides, it is necessary to follow the rules for their use and use only those pesticides that are approved for use in the given area. It is also necessary to monitor the state of the environment after the use of pesticides and take measures to restore it.