The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for regulating pesticides. A pesticide is any substance, or mixture of substances, intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest problem, including plants.
Repellents โ pesticides used to deter animal activity while not causing permanent harm or injury.
Toxicants โ chemical compounds used to intentionally kill or impair target species.
Target species โ management activities are directed at these specific animals.
Non-target species or non-targets โ wildlife, livestock, pets, and people which could be negatively impacted by a pesticide application. When misused, misapplied, or sometimes just due to unfortunate circumstances, toxicants can pose a threat to non-target species. Safeguards are available to minimize these risks, but in some cases, it is best to use reduced-risk alternatives to toxicants.
Primary exposure โ the effects on an animal that has directly encountered the pesticide. A mouse that died due to ingestion of a rodenticide is an example of primary exposure.
Secondary exposure -the effects on an individual that has eaten an animal with primary exposure. An owl that ate a poisoned mouse is an example of secondary exposure.
Active ingredients โ specific chemical compounds that produce the desired outcome in the target species. Repellents and toxicants include a wide range of active ingredients. Some are refined and concentrated forms of naturally-occurring compounds (capsaicin, blood, urine, strychnine, warfarin, and carbon dioxide), while others are synthesized for the desired effects (phosphine, bromethalin, and brodifacoum).
Formulation โ the way the active ingredient is packaged for delivery to the intended target species. Pesticides are formulated to increase their effectiveness, attractiveness, and uptake by target animals
