Types of Pesticides

Pesticides can be classified on the different criteria that is as follows:

• On the basis of the type of pest it kills. For example herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides.
• On the basis of chemical structure. For example organic, inorganic, synthetic, or biological (biopesticide)
• On the basis of biodegradablity. For example Biodegradable and Non biodegradable or persistent.
• On the basis of physical state. For example gaseous that is fumigant.

On the Basis of the Type of Pest it Kills

On the basis of the type of pest it kills, it can be classified as:

• Herbicides: Target unwanted plants (weeds).
• Insecticides: Aimed at controlling and eliminating insects.
• Fungicides: Combat fungal infections in plants.
• Rodenticides: Used to control rodents.
• Pediculicides: Specifically designed to eliminate lice.
• Larvicides: Used to destroy larvae

On the Basis of Chemical Structure

On the basis of chemical structure pesticide can be classified as:

• Organic Pesticides: Derived from living organisms or natural substances.
• Inorganic Pesticides: Chemical compounds containing metals or minerals.
• Synthetic Pesticides: Chemically manufactured substances.
• Biopesticides: Derived from living organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and botanical extracts.

Other chemically-related Pesticides

Other chemically-related pesticides includes:

1. Organophosphates: It is widely used in the agriculture and target a broad range of insects. It kills the insects by disrupting their nervous system by inhibiting neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase.
2. Pyrethroids: It effects the nervous system of insects. It attracts the insects as it mimic the natural pyrethrins found in chrysanthemum flowers.
3. Neonicotinoids: It is used in agriulture to control the pest population. It affects the nervous system of insects by acting on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
4. Carbamates: It is used as insecticides and fungicides in agriculture. It inhibit acetylcholinesterase, similar to organophosphates.
5. Triazines: It is used as herbicides for weed control in crops. It inhibit photosynthesis in plants by disrupting electron transport.
6. Benzimidazoles: It is used as fungicides used in agriculture and horticulture to control fungal diseases. It disrupt fungal cell division by interfering with microtubule formation.

On the Basis of Biodegradability

On the basis of biodegradablity the pesticides can be divided as:

• Biodegradable: These pesticides can be broken down by the microbes and other living organism into harmless compounds.
• Non-Biodegradable: These pesticides can not be broken down easily by the microorganisms. They remain in the envrionment and it take years to break them.

On the Basis of Physical State

On the basis of physical state for example in the gaseous Pesticides like Fumigants. It is applied in the form of gas to control pests.

Pesticides are substances that are used to control pests. Pesticides can be chemical such as carbanate or biological like bacteria or viruses that deter or kill pests. It may include insecticides to kill insects, herbicides for weed control, fungicides to control fungi, and rodenticides to kill rodents. Pesticides are used to target pests that are considered to be harmful like insects, weeds, microbes, etc. However, along with the benefits pesticides can cause harmful effects too including harm to the nontarget species, environmental degradation, a potential risk to human health, and loss of biodiversity.