What is a pesticide?

Study for the Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification CORE Test. Prepare with multiple-choice questions, get hints and explanations. Ensure readiness for your certification!

A pesticide is any product whose purpose is to control pests in some way. That means it can aim to prevent, destroy, suppress, repel, attract, or otherwise manage pests. The idea is broad: pesticides include chemicals like insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides, as well as non‑chemical tools such as pheromones, traps, or other attractants used to monitor or influence pest populations. Pests aren’t limited to insects; they can be weeds, fungi, rodents, birds, or other organisms that harm crops, structures, or health. So a nutrient for crops isn’t a pesticide, a product that only kills insects is too narrow, and something that merely cleans surfaces isn’t intended for pest control. The key is the intended effect on pests, not the specific type of product.