Pesticide: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 27, 2026

News •

A new pesticide does not kill bumblebees right away, but it does inflict internal damage that turns out to be much worse than immediate death • Oct. 18, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (Earth.com)

Facts

Also Known As	chemical pest control

Photos and Videos

A yellow crop duster airplane sprays pesticide in wide arcs over green corn and soybean fields, with trees and a farm building in the background.

Figure 9: Low-volume spraying of pesticide on a field of corn.

Farm machinery spraying pesticides on a crop.

A codling moth larvae is pictured on a leaf.

The future of strawberries: Can we save them from pests?

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Topics

insecticide Herbicide fungicide fumigant rodenticide Neonicotinoid glyphosate DDT benzene hexachloride carbamate Fertilizer Spraying and dusting chemosterilant Pest Today in History—December 10: The Great Emu War Ends (Badly, for Humans)Biological control Integrated pest management

Key People

Fraser Stoddart

Fraser Stoddart

British-American chemist