How to control pests and diseases? Biological and chemical methods

There are several ways in which pests and diseases can be inhibited. The two most important and commonly used methods are biological and chemical, differing in a number of important respects. This article describes their basics and principles that govern each of them, pest control weston ct as well as their differences.

Chemical control

Chemical pesticides are often used to inhibit the development of diseases, pests, and weeds. Chemical control involves the use of toxic (toxic) substances to problem pests. In the case of chemical pesticides used to protect crops against pests, diseases, and overgrown by weeds, we speak of ‘plant protection products.’ Of course pest control weston ct, it is important that the plant requiring protection does not suffer by itself from the toxic effects of such agents.

Efforts to secure collections began centuries ago. Around 1200 BC, the Chinese fought parasites with lime and wood ash. The Romans used sulfur and bitumen, a substance obtained from crude oil. From the 16th century, tobacco-derived nicotine was used, and later copper, lead, and mercury. After the Second World War, real chemical pesticides came into use, available today for the needs of agriculture and gardening in hundreds of different varieties.

Pesticides are divided according to customary use into five main categories. The first group is fungicides – fungicides. Herbicides, herbicides, which control weeds as a result of being absorbed by their leaves or roots, are another contributing factor. Insecticides, as the name suggests, fight harmful insects, while acaricides protect plants from mites. Finally, nematocides used to inhibit the growth of nematodes attacking vegetation.

Advantages and disadvantages of chemical pesticides

How to control pests and diseases?

Chemical pesticides, as a rule, act quickly, limiting the extent of damage to the fetus.

Despite some major disadvantages, chemical pesticides are still widely sold and used. We are now beginning to discuss the four adverse characteristics of chemical pesticides. First of all, chemical pesticides are, in many cases, toxic not only to target organisms but also to others. Chemical pesticides can be divided into two groups: selective and non-selective. Non-selective agents are the most harmful: they fight organisms of all kinds – including harmless and beneficial species. For example, some herbicides destroy both broadleaf weeds and grasses. Fighting almost all vegetation makes them non-selective. The impact of selective pesticides is more limited. They allow you to get rid of only the target pests, diseases, or weeds, keeping other organisms alive. Let’s use an herbicide as an example, which only affects broad-leaved weeds. Such a product can be used, among others, on lawns, as it does not damage the grass. Currently, control of many pests usually requires the simultaneous application of several measures because almost all products are of the selective type and, as such, inhibit the development of a narrow range of pests.