What are pros and cons of using pesticides?

Answer 1

I'm actually doing a huge project right now in my Biology class on pesticides... we basically have to present our work to environmental experts from my school (McMaster University) as well as councillors from the City of Hamilton...

Basically... there are no pros to pesticides and this is why:

Pesticides currently (and in the past) cause huge toxic effects on all forms of life... the way modern pesticides work (known collectively as Organophosphates) is they target a chemical called acetylcholine, which is an essential part of all animals (including humans) nervous system... essentially the pesticides kill by destroying the nervous system... these chemicals were first developed in Germany in WWII, as a by-product of nerve-gas research.

Anyways... pesticides kill the bad bugs, but they also kill every other bug that comes in contact with them... and they make all other animals who eat those bugs sick... it hurts us too... the cost of medical treatment for pesticide damage on humans, as well as the cost on the environment far outweighs the "benefits" associated to the lazy people and farmers who think they need to spray thier lawns and crops.

Answer 2

Well, it depends on the pesticide. There are global killers, which kill everything(Con) but have 100% kill rate(Pro). There are organic solutions that harm only the targeted pest(Pro) but do not kill as effectively(Con). It all depends on the label on the can. Staying versed on pesticide and their side effects can lead to getting the best chemical for your problem. There really is no simple answer.

Answer 3

The benefits of pesticides are two. When used properly, they can increase crop yield by reducing crop damage due to insects, fungus, and other organisms that can attack crops. Thus we are able to provide cheap and plenitiful food around the world. They are also effective and destroying insects that carry disease, such as the mosquito, which is the primary carrier of malaria.

The downside of pesticides, is that when used improperly, they can present a threat to "good" insects, and other wildlife species. The most noteable example is the early use of DDT, which resulted in killing off many wild birds. They can also impact fish due to water runoff into streams and lakes.

Modern pesticides are being developed today that mimic mother nature's insect repellants, and are much less harmful to the environment.

The key is to use them properly.

Answer 4

Bigger crop yields are one benefit of using pesticides but the downside is the unseen damage that they cause by being absorbed by other creatures and getting into water supplies. Experience shows that all pesticides end up in the food chain where they can accummulate and cause long term damage. All life has its niche. Man does harm to destroy that which he does not understand. Look up POPs. Note that anything that kills is, by definition, harmful.

Answer 5

One definite pro is that without pesticides there would be no no-till planting of crops, which lets us plant crops with much less use of fossil fuels for tillage, much less erosion from tillage and no-till crops are much better carbon sinks.

Answer 6

Pros - pesticides kill bad bugs!!!

Cons - pesticides kill people too!!!

Answer 7

well, obviously they kill pests, giveing more usuable yield out of a food crop. The downside is that they cost money to buy and use, and they end up poisoning things you dont want poisened.

Answer 8

There are no pros.