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How Are Pesticides Classified?1
Frederick M. Fishel2This guide explains the classification system used by experts to define how pesticides are classified.
Pesticides are classified according to their function. For example, insecticides control insects and herbicides control weeds. There are pesticides that control more than one class of pests and may be considered in more than one pesticide class. Aldicarb, widely used in Florida citrus production, may be considered an acaricide, insecticide, or nematicide because it controls mites, insects and nematodes, respectively. Another common example is 2,4-D, used as a herbicide for broadleaf weed control, but at low rates is a plant growth regulator. Attractants and repellents are considered as pesticides because of their use in pest control. The following table shows a listing of pesticides classified based on their target pests with some examples.
Tables
Table 1. Pesticides classified by target pests.
Pesticide class
Primary target/action
Example(s)
Acaricide Mites Aldicarb, Bifenazate Algaecide
Algae
Copper sulfate
Attractant
Attracts wide range of pests
Pheromones
Avicide
Birds
Avitrol (aminopyridine)
Bactericide
Bacteria
Copper complexes, streptomycin
Bait
Wide range of organisms
Anticoagulants
Biopesticide
Wide range of organisms
Bacillus thuringiensis
Defoliant
Removes plant foliage
Tribufos
Desiccant
Removes water
Boric acid
Fumigant
Wide range of organisms
Aluminum phosphide
Fungicide
Fungi
Azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil
Herbicide
Weeds
Atrazine, glyphosate, 2,4-D
Insect growth regulator
Insects
Diflubenzuron
Insecticide
Insects
Aldicarb, Carbaryl, imidacloprid
Molluscicides
Snails, slugs
Metaldehyde
Nematicide
Nematodes
Aldicarb, fenamiphos
Piscicide
Fish
Rotenone
Plant growth regulator
Regulates plant growth
Gibberellic acid, 2,4-D
Predacide
Mammal predators
Strychnine
Repellent
Vertebrates and invertebrates
DEET, methiocarb
Rodenticide
Rodents
Warfarin
Silvicide
Trees
Tebuthiuron
Termiticide
Kills termites
Fipronil
Footnotes
1. This document is PI-46, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date June 2005. Reviewed June 2008. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Frederick M. Fishel, Associate Professor, Agronomy Department, and Director, Pesticide Information Office; Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
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