List of top four special pesticides:- 1. Insecticidal Soaps 2. Horticultural Oils 3. Botanical Pesticides 4. Synthetic Pesticides.
Special Pesticide # 1. Insecticidal Soaps:
Insecticidal soaps are made from the salts of fatty acids. Fatty acids are components of the fats and oils found in plants and animals. These soaps should not be confused with ordinary cleaning soaps. Insecticidal soaps are CONTACT INSECTICIDES and are, therefore, effective against soft-bodied pests: aphids, thrips, crawler stage scales, whiteflies, leafhoppers and mites.
Insecticidal soaps may cause burning on some plants. This is likely if the foliage is hairy. Test of insecticidal soap susceptibility for a plant is always recommended. Burning of plants will usually occur within 24 hours.
Special Pesticide # 2. Horticultural Oils:
Horticultural oils are highly refined mineral oils that are used at very low rates. They appear to work by suffocating the pest and damaging the membranes of the pest. Dormant oils are less refined than horticultural oils. They are applied only when the plant is dormant and the temperature is above 4°C.
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Both horticultural soaps and oils remain in our environment for a short time. Until recently, there has been no evidence of insects developing resistance to soaps and oils.
Special Pesticide # 3. Botanical Pesticides:
Botanical pesticides are made or derived from plants. Botanical insecticides include pyrethrins, rotenone, sabadilla, ryania, nicotine, citrus oil extracts and neem.
Advantages of Botanical Pesticides:
These are popular pesticides because of the following characteristics:
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i. They rapidly degrade in the environment and are less of a threat to other organisms. Mostly applied to food crops that are closer to harvest.
ii. They act rapidly to stop feeding by insects, although they may not kill the pest for hours or days.
iii. They generally have low-to-moderate toxicity for mammals.
Disadvantages of Botanical Pesticides:
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They must be applied more frequently. They may be more costly, may be difficult to obtain, and although generally less toxic, but they are toxic. Nicotine, in particular, is extremely toxic to mammals. Botanical pesticides have not been thoroughly researched for effectiveness and toxicity.
Special Pesticide # 4. Synthetic Pesticides:
These are synthetically produced from byproducts of different chemical industries.
Advantages of Synthetic Pesticides:
These synthetic compounds are less expensive, more effective, faster acting and may be longer lasting than the botanical pesticides. They include many of the common pesticides; 2,4-D lindane, Malathion, Carbaryl, Diazinon, Kelthane and Captan.
Disadvantages of Synthetic Pesticides:
Synthetic pesticides may be longer lasting, they are generally nonselective and are capable of harming other organisms.
Use of synthetic chemicals should be the last resort in controlling pests. In some cases, synthetics are the only effective control. Both synthetic and “natural” pesticides are capable of harming humans, wildlife and the environment, if mishandled. Always follow instructions on the label when using any pesticide.