- Active ingredient- the chemical in a pesticide formulation that affects or kills the target pest or performs the pesticide’s function; listed as a percentage on pesticide product labels.
- Adjuvant- a substance added to a pesticide to improve pesticide handling, performance, or safety; often help make the pesticide stick or spread out on the application surface.
- Algaecide- a type of pesticide that kills or controls the growth of algae.
- Anticoagulant- describes a substance commonly used in rodenticides that prevents blood clotting, resulting in internal bleeding and death of rodents.
- Antimicrobial- describes a pesticide that kills or prevents the growth of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses on surfaces.
- Biological- in terms of pesticides, refers to substances that are derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals.
- Botanical- in terms of pesticides, refers to substances that are derived from plants or plant parts.
- Broad-spectrum- a term used to describe a pesticide that kills a wide variety of species, including target and often non-target organisms.
- Contact- describes a pesticide that kills or affects pests that come in direct contact with or feed on the product; contact pesticides do not provide residual control.
- Concentrate- a pesticide that needs to be dissolved and mixed with water before applying; often sold in bottles.
- Disinfectant- a type of antimicrobial pesticide that kills germs like bacteria, fungi, and some viruses on surfaces.
- Entomopathogenic fungi- microorganisms that typically live in the soil and that specifically infect and often kill insects and other arthropods.
- Fungicide- a type of pesticide that kills or prevents the growth of fungi and their spores.
- Herbicide- a type of pesticide that kills or controls the growth of undesirable plants (weeds).
- Host- an animal, plant, or other living organism that provides sustenance for a parasite or pathogen.
- Inert (other) ingredients- materials added to a pesticide to improve its efficacy, ease of application, and shelf-life; can include surfactants, solvents, adjuvants, and preservatives.
- Insect growth regulator (IGR)- describes an insecticide that mimics hormones in young insects and disrupts how they grow and reproduce.
- Insecticide- a type of pesticide that kills, repels, or controls the growth of one or more species of insect; includes ovicides and larvicides.
- Larvicide- a type of pesticide that specifically targets the larval life stage of an insect.
- Miticide- a type of pesticide that targets mites; also called an acaricide.
- Molluscicide- a type of pesticide that targets mollusks, such as slugs and snails.
- Multi-dose- a term specifically used to describe a rodenticide bait that requires multiple feedings over several days to kill the pest rodent.
- Natural enemy- an organism (parasite, pathogen, or predator) that kills or reduces the numbers of a pest. These organisms provide biological control. Also known as biological control agents, beneficials, or beneficial organisms.
- Nematicide- a type of pesticide that targets nematodes.
- Non-target organism- any species that is not the targeted pest of a pesticide treatment; can include birds, bees, and natural enemies.
- Non-selective- describes herbicides that kill a wide range of plants. They can kill desirable plants and lawns, in addition to weeds.
- Preharvest Interval (PHI)- the preharvest interval indicates how long after applying a pesticide you must wait to harvest a crop.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)- clothing and equipment that protects you when handling, loading, mixing, or applying pesticides. PPE can include long pants, long-sleeved shirts, close-toed shoes, chemical resistant gloves, coveralls, goggles, or respirators.
- Pesticide- any substance or mixture intended to control, prevent, kill, reduce, or repel pests. The term “-cide” comes from the Latin word “to kill.” Some common pesticide types include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides.
- Postemergence or postemergent- refers to herbicides which are applied after weeds emerge (germinate).
- Preemergence or preemergent- refers to herbicides which are applied before weeds emerge (germinate). They will not work against plants that have already emerged.
- Plant growth regulator (PGR)- describes a chemical that alters the growth of plants, preventing them from growing, flowering, or setting seed.
- Protectant- a type of fungicide that protects plants by preventing the growth and development of fungi. Also called a preventive fungicide.
- Repellent- a pesticide that repels pests, often by smell or taste.
- Residual- describes pesticides that remain effective for days, weeks, and months after application; persist longer in the environment.
- Restricted entry interval (REI)- the reentry interval or restricted entry interval indicates how long after a pesticide application you must wait to reenter the area.
- Rodenticide- a type of pesticide that targets rodents like mice, rats, or gophers.
- Ready-to-Use (RTU)- a sprayable liquid pesticide that is diluted to the use rate and ready to apply (does not require mixing); often available in spray bottles.
- Selective- a pesticide that kills specific types of plants or animals. For example, selective herbicides will often control broadleaf weeds, but not turfgrass. Some selective insecticides will kill caterpillars, but not harm other insects or other life stages of the same insect.
- Single-dose- a term specifically used to describe a rodenticide bait that only requires a single feeding to kill the pest rodent.
- Solvent- a substance added to a pesticide to help the active ingredient dissolve, such as water or alcohol.
- Surfactant- a pesticide ingredient that allows the pesticide to be more evenly dispersed on a surface and to reach its target pest; also referred to as wetter-spreaders and surface-acting agents.
- Systemic- describes a pesticide that is absorbed by plants and moved to the leaves, roots, seeds, and stems to provide residual control of pests that feeds on the plant.
- Synergist- a chemical that can be added to certain pesticides to make them more effective, but that is not effective when used alone.
- Toxicity- the ability of a chemical to injure a person, animal, plant, or other organism.
- Ovicide- a type of pesticide that controls insect or mite eggs.