Insecticides are chemical agents used to control pests. They include organic insecticides (organochlorine, organophosphate, organosulfur preparations, carbamates, and pyrethroids), inorganic insecticides (inorganic arsenic, inorganic fluorine, and inorganic sulfur preparations), botanical insecticides, mineral oil insecticides, and microbial insecticides. Insecticides are the most widely used and diverse class of pesticides; most only kill insects and do not prevent diseases. Insecticides have played a crucial role in increasing agricultural production and solving human food problems, but they are also the most significant factor contributing to pesticide pollution (e.g., organochlorine insecticides are chemically stable, difficult to degrade, and easily accumulate in soil and organisms), and are closely related to the reduction and even extinction of natural enemies of pests and other beneficial organisms.
Insecticides are mainly used to control agricultural pests and urban sanitation pests, with a long history of use, large usage, and many varieties. In the 20th century, the rapid development of agriculture led to a significant increase in agricultural output due to insecticides. However, almost all pesticides severely alter ecosystems, most are harmful to humans, and others accumulate in the food chain. A balance must be struck between agricultural development and environmental and health considerations. Pesticides can be categorized into two types based on their source: biopesticides and chemically synthesized pesticides.
