5.6 Pest Control Methods

1/3

amount of pesticides that US uses

pesticide

ANY agent used to kill PESTS (plants, insects, rodents, etc).

pesticide drawbacks

• natural selection/resistance
  • positive feedback
• pollution of ground water
• pesticide drift
• toxicity to humans

gmo

genetically modified organisms

• traditional artificial selection has been practiced for thousands of years (corn, wild mustard)

modern tecnniques

isolate a specific gene from one organism and transfer it into the genetic material of another

gmo benefits

increase quantity and quality, decrease cost

1. pest and drought resistance

   1. reduce need for pesticides

2. essential nutrients: vitamin A-enriched “golden rice”

   1. but, accessibility issues

3. pharmaceutics: reduces cost of manufacturing them (insulin)

gmo drawbacks

1. safe for human consumption?

   1. little evidence
   2. food allergies may be an issue

2. effects on biodiversity?

   1. may breed with wild relatives, alter or eliminate natural varieties (buffer zones)
   2. possible loss of genetic diversity

regulations

• no regulations that mandate labeling
• EU bans many gmos
• organic food does not contain gmos
• labeling: confuses the uninformed. Is there something wrong with gmos or not, why label?

herbicide

agent used to kill plants/weeds

insecticide

agent used to kill insects

chemical pesticide pros

• saves lives by decreasing mosquito populations in tropical areas where malaria and other mosquito borne illnesses thrive.
• Protects crop yields and keeps produce looking nice (people don’t buy ugly produce)
• Protects forest foliage.
• Economic importance (large industry)

chemical pesticides cons

• Genetic resistance of pests creating ‘super pests’
• Indiscriminate use leads to beneficial organisms dying - causes loss of biodiversity and negative impacts to the food webs containing beneficial organisms.
• Threats to wildlife
• Surface water contamination
• Threats to human health upon repeated exposure.

integrated pest management

A pest control method that uses a combination of cultural, physical, biological methods and using chemical as a last resort.

cultural

good sanitation practices

chemical

sprays, powders, commercially produced

physical

prevention and control by monitoring, mechanical means such as barriers, nets, and traps

biological

using natural parasites or predators of pests as well as naturally occurring substances and botanical that deter or prevent pests