Pesticides have become part of everyday life. While many focus on the usage of these chemicals in the agricultural industry, their use has implications that cross almost every aspect of human life. Many of those who oppose the use of pesticides fail to consider the ramifications of pest populations left unchecked.
The individual bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile virus may die as a result of contracting the disease. Contaminated crops may be unsuitable for human consumption, causing the farmer to lose revenue. Animals with fleas may become sick. Termites may cause damage that results in thousands of dollars in damage to structures.
For most of the population, these situations are avoided, thanks to the regular use of pesticides. Understanding the impact of pesticides on every area of life is important when debating the use of these agrochemicals in the future.
Pesticides Improve Crop Production
One of the most commonly-debated uses for pesticides is in the agriculture industry. Farmers use pesticides to control pests that affect their fields, improving crop yield and quality. With comprehensive, environmentally-safe farming techniques, farmers can manage large commercial farms more efficiently and effectively. With proportionately less farmland than previously in history, today’s farmers are producing more food, and they are able to meet the rising demands of a growing global population.
Using targeted pesticides, farmers are able to manage the particular needs a crop may have without harming the surrounding area. Using long-term sustainability plans and technologically-advanced biochemical pesticides, the use of these agrochemicals is safer and more effective than ever.
Pesticides Support Biodiversity and Protect Wildlife Habitats
The elimination of pests that reduce crop yield helps farmers maximize profits and capitalize on available farmland. With high levels of production on high-yield farms, there is decreased need for additional farmland.
By utilizing existing farms, natural habitats and preserves are spared from development. This allows for wildlife and native plants to thrive, protecting the earth’s biodiversity. Capitalizing on the advancements of today’s pesticides, these critical wildlife preserves, forests, wetlands, and plains can be left for future generations to appreciate.
Pesticides Protect Property
Learning your home has been damaged or destroyed by pests can be devastating. Insecticides are used to protect homes from carpenter ants, termites, and other insects that can damage a structure. They prevent infestation of cockroaches, spiders, mites, and other invasive bugs that can destroy homes from the inside out.
In addition, pesticides protect valuable keepsakes such as historical documents, treasured garments, keepsake plants, and more. The work of pesticides within homes and other buildings to protect both structures and the contents within saves homeowners, business owners, and other building managers money and heartbreak from loss.
Pesticides Improve Transportation Methods
Roadsides, intersections and airways are all safer with the use of pesticides. Tall weeds and brush are eliminated along roadways, near train tracks, and around street signs with the help of herbicides. Removing obstructions makes travel safer by increasing visibility, improving water run-off, and reducing the potential for automobile accidents.
Airlines use herbicides to prevent mold from forming in fuel filters, helping to maintain safe air travel. Railway companies use pesticides to preserve railway ties from insect feeding and decay, preventing broken tracks and train derailments. In these ways, a simple trip to the corner store is made safer with the use of agrochemicals.
Pesticides Make Recreation More Accessible
Anglers and sportsmen benefit from the use of pesticides to support fishing and boating on lakes and rivers. Herbicides can eliminate weed cover that smaller fish hide in, allowing bigger fish to find (and eat) the smaller fish in larger quantities. As a result, a healthy fish population thrives, giving fishers more opportunity to tell fish tales.
Pesticide use near lakes and ponds makes boating and swimming more accessible with the removal of invasive weeds and excessive growth. Herbicides and pesticides are used to maintain sports turf fields, park areas for picnicking and recreation, and more.
Pesticides Pro mote Good Health
Recent outbreaks of the Zika virus have strengthened public awareness of the importance of pesticide use in a community. The use of pesticides to control insect populations and repel insects is essential in promoting good health.
With the use of disinfectants, hospitals can prevent the spread of disease and infection. Housing developments employ rodenticides to control rodent populations, minimizing and eliminating the spread of rodent-based diseases such as hantavirus. Utility companies monitor and control bacteria in public drinking water by using chlorine to sanitize water supplies. Without the use of these pesticides, living conditions would be vastly different for much of the world.
The broad role that pesticides play in today’s society can be overlooked by the casual 27 observer. It is common today to question the use of pesticides; however, few pause to consider the ramifications of eliminating these powerful agrochemicals and the benefits they bring the world. Partnering with agrochemical corporations to develop more effective products in the future will support a healthy life for all.