Biopesticides - A safe alternative to pesticides

To protect plants and crops from unwanted insects and pests, many synthetic and artificial pesticides are used. Most of them contain harmful chemicals and toxins that not only kill the unwanted pests but also many beneficial insects. They are also potentially harmful for domestic animals who might consume them by mistake and for humans who eat the food where they are used.

Explore the links given below to understand why there is worldwide preference for biopesticides or organic pesticides. To protect plants and crops from unwanted insects and pests, many synthetic and artificial pesticides are used.

Types of biopesticides
Biopesticides are pesticides derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. They work by triggering off natural systems in the plants and insects to work as pesticides.

Microbial pesticides for example consist of a microorganism like fungus, virus or protozoa that have natural abilities to control the growth of certain weeds or kill specific insects. So instead of spraying pesticide, the microorganism is set to work. Sometimes plants are also injected with genetic material that manufactures the substance that destroys the pest.

Another way is by using biochemical pesticides. These include substances, such as insect sex pheromones, that interfere with mating and help reduce the insect population. For more information on types of biopesticides, refer to this site.

Benefits of biopesticides
Benefits of biopesticides include effective control of insects, plant diseases and weeds, as well as human and environmental safety. To know more about this go here.

Biopesticides can help in controlling fatal diseases like Malaria. Visit this link to know about the benefits of how choosing pesticides instead of the traditional pest control methods helped reduce mosquitoes, save costs and also lessen risk to human health, especially of the public health spray operators who suffered from acute poisoning symptoms.

Natural Vs Synthetic Pesticides
In the debate about pesticides, there are some important factors we should keep in mind. For example a synthetic pesticide takes longer to degrade. When overused, misapplied, or misconceived, it can wreak havoc.

But a natural pesticide is live microorganism. It mutates, it manipulates, and it may be poorly understood. Therefore there are risks and benefits in both types of pest control. To understand what are the key factors regarding this debate visit this link.

Pesticides, you and the environment
To know about how pesticides affect the environment and how biopesticides can help, read this article. There are also interesting tips and recommendations on how to keep out weeds and pests from our gardens without harming the environment.

Why are governments and farming organizations advocating the use of biopesticides for a healthier and safer future? For a brief overview of how pesticides affect human health, plants and the environment, read this article.