... the use of chemical pesticides that either kill pests or inhibit their development. Chemical control of pests probably began with poisonous plant compounds. In the 18th and 19th centuries, farmers ground up certain plants that were toxic to insects or rodents--plants such as chrysanthemums or tobacco. The plant "soup" was then applied directly to either the crops or the pests ... affect organisms as different as birds, insects, and mammals. Biopesticides often are effective in very small quantities and often decompose quickly, thereby resulting in lower exposures and largely avoiding th...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate