The dilemma in using these powerful insecticides however is that they do not absorb in soil or water very easily, and thus are easily passed through different organisms and can eventually effect humans and other animals. If these chemicals were to get into a lake for example, and managed to be inhaled or eaten by fish, it could cause much death and disease, and if these fish were caught and eaten by humans,it could also be very dangerous.

Mineral-based pesticides

There are still some effective biochemical pesticides that are very useful, and relatively safe to humans and other creatures. Many of these are “mineral-based” pesticides that are not as toxic as the power DDT, but are much safer and still work well. One great counter to fungi is pure elemental
sulfur, shown as . It protects plants from infections such as mold or mildew, and keeps fruits and vegetables fresh and unharmed. Copper Sulfate, or , is also a good fungicide, and when mixed with Lime, a combination known as Bordeaux’s mixture, it is very powerful, while being very low intoxicity to humans. In terms of pesticides, there are some very effective botanical products that are safe as well.

The seeds of the Pyrethrum plant are very effective "botanical pesticides," that are far less harmful than chemical pesticides.

 

The best botanical pesticides come from the pyrethrum plant, which is a type of chrysanthemum. The seeds of these plants contain a poison that is made into a dust, and can be sprayed onto plants. This poison also holds the chemical PBO, piperonyl butoxide, which does not allow insects to metabolize the toxin, effectively paralyzing them. However, this pesticide could cause some problems to water life in an aquatic area, so it is best used away from bodies of water.

A farmer sprays pesticides on his crops.

In order to create any successful society, there must be a strong agricultural backbone that is able to produce enough food so that there is never a famine of any kind. But, ever since there has been farming, there has been a war between farmers and pests, and it is always imperative to have good
pest control. Diseases and fungi also find ways to cling onto plants and destroy them, so fungicides are just as important in keeping crops healthy. However, with pesticides come many health issues and other conflicts, so there must be someone to regulate which pesticides can or cannot be used.
With an enforced agricultural regulation system on pesticides, we can keep our crops healthy, without hurting ourselves and the beings around us.

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