Pesticide Terminology

What is a "cosmetic" pesticide?

A "cosmetic" pesticide is one used for non-essential or aesthetic purposes. The term "cosmetic" is usually used in reference to pesticides used in lawn and garden care.

What is the difference between "inert" and "active" ingredients?

Pesticide products or "formulations" contain two types of ingredients - "active", and "inert". Active ingredients are the ingredients listed on the label, which are responsible for preventing, destroying, or mitigating the targeted pest. Inert ingredients are any ingredients other than an active ingredient. Inerts are used to make the pesticide product more potent or easier to use. The name does not mean that they are biologically, chemically, or toxicologically inert. See the section on Inert Ingredients for more information.

What is the difference between a broad-spectrum pesticide and a selective pesticide?

Broad-spectrum pesticides are non-selective, meaning they control/are harmful to many species, whereas others, called selective pesticides, only work on certain species. For example, a broad-spectrum herbicide kills any plant, whereas a selective herbicide kills only certain broad-leafed plants and not grasses.

What is meant by the term "mode of action"?

A pesticide's "mode of action" is a description of how it works to kill the target pest. Some pesticides are stomach poisons, meaning the pest has to eat it to be affected while others act upon contact.

What is a "residual effect"?

"Residual effect" is how long a pesticide remains active against pests after it has been applied. Some pesticides remain active for days or weeks, while others, such as soap or oil sprays, act only on pests hit by the spray and have no residual activity after the spray has dried. Pesticides with residual effects are also persistent, meaning they remain active in the environment for a period of time, even if rain or wind has carried them away from the target site.

What is a PCP number?

A PCP number is a four or five digit number assigned to each registered pest control product by the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Unless expressly exempt by regulation under the Act, all pest control products must be registered and be issued a PCP Act registration number before being permitted for sale, import or use in Canada.

What is IPM?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is defined as the best combination of cultural, biological, genetic, and chemical methods for the most effective and economical control of pests. Inherent in the approach is an emphasis on "Integrated" - an approach whereby all aspects of the pest problem are included in determining treatment strategies that are focused and have little or no side effects on non-pest species or predators of pests. The use of a variety of "tools" lessens the dependence on any one tool and also reduces its use. In 2000, the British Columbia government listed several pesticides as "preferred pesticides" to incorporate into IPM programs. "Preferred pesticides" have one or more of the following characteristics: present the least short and long-term health risks to humans, have low impacts on non-target organisms, are most specific to target species and present the least risk to the environment. These include insecticidal soaps, trapping glue, horticultural oils and Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). See the WLAP IPM Manual for Home and Garden Pest in BC for more information on IPM.

What is biological control?

Biological control is the use of living organisms that are the natural enemies of pests to control pest populations. Many of these natural enemies are beneficial insects and mites, but they can also be animals, such as birds and snakes, or even micro-organisms, such as beneficial soil fungi and bacteria. See the sections on Beneficial Insects and Other Natural Predators for more information.