Information on Insecticide

Insecticides are substances used to control insect populations.They can be used commercially to protect crops, and privately to prevent and eliminate insects within the home. Some insecticides can be harmful even when used properly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors all insecticides and has the authority to approve or outlaw their use at any time.

Types

• Insecticides can be organic or inorganic substances. Organic insecticides are carbon based, but are commonly mixed with inorganic compounds to increase their effectiveness. Inorganic insecticides are the most common and often contain silica or boric acid. Silica works by depriving insects it comes into contact with of the waxy substance that protects their exoskeleton, resulting in the insects' death. Silica is used primarily as a commercial insecticide. Boric acid is the active ingredient in most home-based insecticides such as ant bait. It is ineffective unless ingested by the insect, which then dies from the corrosive properties of the acid.

History

• Humans have made use of insecticides for thousands of years. As long ago as 1000 B.C. the Greeks used sulfur to eliminate insects. Ancient Chinese societies favored arsenic as an effective method of insect control. The first documented use of insecticide in the United States was a mix of sulfur and tobacco used by farmers. In 1939, DDT was invented in Switzerland, thus opening the door for the widespread use of synthetic insecticides. DDT was banned by the EPA in 1972.

Benefits

• Although insecticides are widely criticized for their potentially harmful effects on humans and the environment, they serve a beneficial purpose. By protecting crops from insect devastation, insecticides help prevent food shortages. They also prevent economic hardships for farmers which would branch out to affect the economy as whole. Some insecticides are designed with the added benefit of preventing food spoilage, thus allowing foods to be shipped to areas that would otherwise not be possible.By limiting insect populations, insecticides reduce the spread of disease by insects. In addition, insecticide use within the home serves to protect adults, children and pets from illnesses caused by insect bites.

Effects

• The effects of widespread insecticide use can be harmful. Past DDT use has been directly linked to Parkinson's disease while other common insecticides such as Alachlor, Atrazine, and Lindane have been known to cause kidney failure, reproductive problems and even cancer. Some inorganic insecticides can build up over time in soil and water, causing harm to animals, fish, and plant life. The EPA thoroughly measures the risks associated with each insecticide before approving it for use.

Considerations

• Due to the many risks of using inorganic insecticides, new organic insecticides have been developed such as Pyrethrom, which is known to be particularly effective and is derived from chrysanthemums. These substances are completely non-toxic and some are even derived from foods. Organic insecticides, however, are more expensive to produce than the inorganic variety. They also can be more difficult to apply and require more frequent applications. Because of these factors, many farmers still prefer to use inorganic insecticides.