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Reference.org
Pesticide
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<p>Pesticides are substances that are used to <a href="/facts/Pest_control/0ADEUBaF">control</a> <a href="/facts/Pest_(organism)/mXGHJ8s7">pests</a>. They include <a href="/facts/Herbicide/FN93bvrk">herbicides</a>, <a href="/facts/Insecticide/1xYL3MSD">insecticides</a>, <a href="/facts/Nematicide/xnJNqGxx">nematicides</a>, <a href="/facts/Fungicide/c1twQBYo">fungicides</a>, and many others (see table). The most common of these are herbicides, which account for approximately 50% of all pesticide use globally. Most pesticides are used as plant protection products (also known as crop protection products), which in general protect plants from <a href="/facts/Weed/Dog4Ifol">weeds</a>, fungi, or <a href="/facts/Insect/IgDNvnUL">insects</a>. In general, a pesticide is a <a href="/facts/Chemical_substance/EWcXU41d">chemical</a> or <a href="/facts/Biological_agent/4YnbS6Em">biological agent</a> (such as a <a href="/facts/Virus/mf88Bcbl">virus</a>, <a href="/facts/Bacterium/wC8xSCsU">bacterium</a>, or <a href="/facts/Entomopathogenic_fungus/mbhwcV9S">fungus</a>) that deters, incapacitates, kills, or otherwise discourages pests. Target pests can include insects, plant <a href="/facts/Pathogen/axMXtV1M">pathogens</a>, weeds, <a href="/facts/Mollusca/1elgknsQ">molluscs</a>, <a href="/facts/Bird/RJF6zwLP">birds</a>, <a href="/facts/Mammal/phSwTzBo">mammals</a>, <a href="/facts/Fish/fln4gH9V">fish</a>, <a href="/facts/Nematode/yLMJ43Eu">nematodes</a> (roundworms), and <a href="/facts/Microbe/pysJYcE2">microbes</a> that destroy property, cause nuisance, spread disease, or are disease <a href="/facts/Vector_(epidemiology)/bepASE2M">vectors</a>. Along with these benefits, pesticides also have drawbacks, such as <a href="/facts/Pesticide_poisoning/HMGhp2Ml">potential toxicity</a> to humans and other species. </p>