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Types of Pesticides
According to the law, a pesticide is any substance "intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest." There are many different types of pesticides and each is meant to be effective against specific pests. The term "-cide" comes from the Latin word "to kill."
| Pesticide Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Algaecides | Kill and/or slow the growth of algae. |
| Antimicrobials | Control germs and microbes such as bacteria and viruses. |
| Biopesticides | Made of living things, derived from living things, or found in nature. |
| Desiccants | Dry up living plant tissues. |
| Defoliants | Cause plants to drop their leaves. |
| Disinfectants | Control germs and microbes such as bacteria and viruses. |
| Foggers | Total release foggers that kill insects that are out in the open and come into contact with the pesticide. |
| Fungicides | Control fungal problems like molds, mildew, and rust. |
| Herbicides | Kill or inhibit the growth of unwanted plants, aka weeds. |
| Illegal and Counterfeit Pesticides | Pesticides that are imported or sold illegally. |
| Insecticides | Control insects. |
| Insect Growth Regulators | Disrupt the growth and reproduction of insects. |
| Minimum Risk Pesticides | Exempt from EPA registration, but many states require them to be registered. |
| Miticides | Control mites that feed on plants and animals. Mites are not insects, exactly. |
| Molluscicides | Control slugs, snails, and other molluscs. |
| Mothballs | Insecticides that kill fabric pests by fumigation in sealed containers. |
| Natural and Biological Pesticides | Control pests using things found in nature, or manmade versions of things found in nature. |
| Organic Pesticides | Certain pesticides allowed for use on organic crops. People often call these "organic or natural pesticides." They are typically based on naturally occurring substances such as microbes, minerals, or plant extracts. |
| Ovicides | Control the eggs of insects and mites. |
| Pheromones | Biologically active chemicals that attract insects or disrupt their mating behavior. The ratio of chemicals in the mixture is often species-specific. |
| Plant Growth Regulators | Alter the growth of plants. For example, they may induce or delay flowering. |
| Repellents | Repel unwanted pests, often by taste or smell. |
| Rodenticides | Kill rodents like mice, rats, and gophers. |
| Synergists | Make certain pesticides more effective, but are not effective when used alone. |
| Treated Seeds | Seeds coated with a pesticide to limit crop damage from fungus and insects. |
| Wood Preservatives | Make wood resistant to insects, fungus, and other pests. |
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, call NPIC at 800-858-7378, email us at npic@oregonstate.edu, or chat Monday through Friday.
Last updated November 02, 2026