A substance used to control or kill insect pests that damage plants, crops, or ornamental landscapes.
Insecticides are tools used to manage insect populations when they become harmful to plants.
Some insecticides are derived from natural sources, while others are manufactured synthetically. Depending on the product, insecticides may work by contact, ingestion, or disruption of an insect's life cycle.
Although insecticides can be effective, they do not always distinguish between harmful insects and beneficial insects. For this reason, they are most effective when used as part of an integrated pest management strategy rather than as a routine treatment.
Insecticides can prevent serious plant damage when pest populations become excessive. However, unnecessary or repeated use can disrupt natural pest control systems by reducing populations of pollinators and beneficial predators.