Chapter 12 Pest ControlIn this chapter the following topics wil.ppt

* Chapter 12: Pest Control In this chapter the following topics will be covered: What are Pests and Pesticides? A Brief History of Pest Control Pesticide Uses and Types Pesticide Benefits Pesticide Problems Alternatives to Current Pesticides Uses Reducing Pesticide Exposure What Are Pests and Pesticides? Biological Pests: organisms that reduce the availability, quality, or value of resources useful to humans. - Tend to be generalists - Reproduce rapidly - Migrate quickly into disturbed areas - Pioneers in ecological succession - Compete aggressively against more specialized endemic species - Can often take over a biotic community especially where humans have created an opening into which they can slip Pesticide: chemical that kills pests - Toxic substances - Chemicals that drive away pests - Chemicals that prevent their development - Biocide: broad-spectrum pesticide that kills all living organisms - Herbicide: pesticide that kills plants - Insecticide: pesticide that kills insects - Fungicides: pesticide that kills fungi A Brief History of Pest Control Humans have probably always used chemicals to protect from pests, but past 50 years we have entered into a new era of pesticide use. Early Pest Controls Use of metals and inorganic chemicals to control pests - Sumerians controlled insects and mites with sulfur 5000 years ago. - Chinese texts 2500 years old describe mercury and arsenic used to control body lice and other pests. - Greeks and Romans used oil sprays, ash, and sulfur ointments, and lime. Use of organic compounds, biological controls and cultural practices to control pests - Alcohol from fermentation to prevent the growth of organisms that would spoil food - Acids in pickling solutions to prevent the growth of organisms that would spoil food - Spices deterred spoilage and pest i