Adaptation and resistance to chemicals (natural and synthetic) are normal and natural processes. It’s what Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is based on. When faced with an inhibiting environment, we adapt to overcome it. It’s the basis of all addictive behaviour including drug addiction. Chemical resistance is where an insect Read more…
There are five ways insecticides affect insects. This category is one of the five. It’s always interesting to look at the unknowns and how they’re used. In contravention of the precautionary principle using a chemical with an unknown action is reckless. If a chemical has unknown effects, shouldn’t we not Read more…
Stomach and midgut insecticides are one of five classes of insecticides. They come from microbes. Some microbes release toxic compounds. When some insects eat these microbes, they get poisoned. Their stomach is the part of their body affected. Bt or Bacillus thuringiensis belongs to this class of stomach and midgut Read more…
Respiratory disrupting insecticides Respiratory disrupting insecticides are one of five ways insecticides work. The lungs and respiratory system are targets of respiratory disrupting insecticides. Many of these insecticides are based on microbes or microbial compounds. They can be fast acting. One example of a respiratory disrupting insecticide is Chlorfenapyr. This is Read more…
Growth inhibitors are one of five groups of insecticides. Growth inhibitors affect the growth and development of insects. There are applied at a particular stage of an insects development. Growth inhibitors are designed to prevent metamorphosis thereby preventing maturity and reproduction. An example of a growth inhibiting insecticide is Pyriproxyfen. Read more…
Muscle and nerve affecting insecticides The most common insecticides are those that affect the muscles and nerves. This is one of five ways insecticides work. Muscle and nerve affecting insecticides tend to be fast acting. Technically, systemic insecticides refer to how they act on the body, not their mode of Read more…
It’s important we know how insecticides work. If we don’t know how insecticides work we may be contributing to global insecticide resistance. Insecticides are a subclass of pesticides aimed to kill insects. Pesticides is a class of chemicals that also kill other species classed as pests such as rats and Read more…
Immediate effect of insecticides The effect of insecticides can be immediate and seen as soon as we use them. Whether we use a natural substance or a synthetic one, there are immediate effects. Read my blog called ‘How insecticides work’ for an overview of their modes of action on insects. Read more…