Insecticides help control insect populations
Insecticides are designed to kill or reduce numbers of insects in agricultural lands, gardens or households---any place where there is an overabundance of insects that can cause damage to produce or humans. The components of most insecticides are synthetically manufactured chemicals. This makes them both extremely effective and extremely dangerous if improperly used. Does this Spark an idea?
Organochlorine Insecticides
The organochlorine insecticides include one of the most famous insecticides, DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Although this insecticide helped in controlling malaria outbreaks by killing off mosquitos, its harmful side effects on wildlife and humans saw it banned from the United States and 25 other countries: DDT use has been linked to cancer, birth defects and nervous system failure. Organochlorine is also found in the following chemical insecticides: p,p isomer; o,p isomer, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD). Organochlorine works on the nerve cells of insects killing them effectively within minutes.
Organophosphate Insecticides
Organophosphates are made of phosphoric acid and unbalance the nervous system of insects that are exposed to them. This insecticide effectively damages the internal enzyme in an insect called acetylcholinesterase---either killing the insect outright or paralyzing it so that it dies off after some time. Despite their known effectiveness as insecticidea, organophosphates are dangerous to humans as well as other animals.
Carbamate Insecticides
Carbamate insecticides are made from carbamic acid. This component kills insects in the same method as organophosphate insecticides, yet is active for a shorter period of time, reducing its toxic side effects. Carbamate harms the cholinesterase enzymes and affects nerve impulse transmission in insects. According to the Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS) of UF/IFAS Extension, carbamate is widely used in homes, gardens and different agricultural lands to control insect populations.
Pyrethroid Insecticides
Pyrethroids are synthetic pyrethrum flowers. They are less toxic in nature when compared to other insecticides. Due to the reduced toxicity, they are safe to use for killing fleas and ticks on pets and other domestic animals. Pyrethroids are known to limit the body functions of insects, therefore paralyzing them rather than killing them outright.
Neonicotinoid Insecticides
Neonicotinoids are synthetic substitutes to nicotine, the latter being is used as a natural solution to kill insects. Neonicotinoids are found in sprays, seeds and soil treatments in order to inhibit the movement of the insect before eventually killing it. Neonicotinoids are soluble in water and can be sprayed on crops and easily washed off before consumption.
Biological Insecticides
Biological compounds like bacteria, fungi and viruses can be used as effective insecticides. They are free from chemicals and are used where toxicity may be an issue, like in organic gardens. Specific biological compounds react with specific pests, so each biological insecticide is tailored to a group of insects.
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