By their nature, many pesticides may pose some risk to humans, animals, or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms. Some pesticides contain nerve poisons that act by inhibiting important enzymes in the nervous system.

Many household products are pesticides, including the following:

• Insect repellents for personal use.
• Cockroach sprays and baits
• Rat and other rodent poisons.
• Flea and tick sprays, powders, and pet collars.
• Kitchen, laundry, and bath disinfectants and sanitizers.
• Products that kill mold and mildew, also called fungicides.
• Some lawn and garden products, such as weed killers, also called herbicides.
• Some swimming pool chemicals.

Modified From:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. About Pesticides. Last modified: February 16, 2011.

What You Can Do

• Use less toxic alternatives
• Use fertilizers appropriately

More Information

• Pesticides General Information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• How to read a pesticide label