Insecticide Health Dictionary

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  2. Insecticide

Insecticide: From 5 Different Sources

A herb destructive to insects. Tinctures: Arnica, St John’s Wort, Myrrh or Marigold. Oils: Clove, Eucalyptus or Pennyroyal.

Mucilage from: Comfrey, Plantain, Houseleek.

Cider vinegar. Pyrethrum. Derris. 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia
Chemical that kills insects and other arthropods, such as mites. Chemicals that kill ticks and mites often termed acaricides.
Health Source: Medicinal Plants Glossary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. a preparation used to kill insects. Ideally, an insecticide should have no toxic effects when ingested by human beings or animals, but modern powerful compounds have inherent dangers and have caused fatalities. Some insect powders contain organic phosphorus compounds and fluorides; when ingested accidentally they may cause damage to the nervous system. The use of such compounds is generally under strict control. See also DDT; dieldrin.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Insecticide Resistance

The ability of a mosquito or other insect to survive contact with an insecticide in quantities that would normally kill a mosquito of the same species.... insecticide resistance

Insecticides

Substances which kill insects. Since the discovery of the insecticidal properties of DDT (see DICHLORODIPHENYL TRICHLOROETHANE) in 1940, a steady stream of new ones has been introduced. Their combined use has played an outstanding part in international public health campaigns, such as that of the World Health Organisation for the eradication of MALARIA.

Unfortunately, insects are liable to become resistant to insecticides, just as bacteria are liable to become resistant to antibiotics, and it is for this reason that so much research work is being devoted to the discovery of new ones. Researchers are also exploring new methods, such as releasing sexually sterile insects into the natural population.

The useful effects of insecticides must be set against increasing evidence that the indiscriminate use of some of these potent preparations is having an adverse e?ect – not only upon human beings, but also upon the ecosystems. Some, such as DDT – the use of which is now banned in the UK – are very stable compounds that enter the food chain and may ultimately be lethal to many animals, including birds and ?shes.... insecticides


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