A plant nursery worker sprays a mature tree with an insecticide machine.

What are Pesticides?

Pesticide products contain both “active” and “inert” ingredients.

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for

  • Preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.
  • Use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.
  • Use as a nitrogen stabilizer
  • An “active ingredient” prevents, destroys, repels, or mitigates a pest, or is a plant regulator, defoliant, desiccant, or nitrogen stabilizer.
  • All other ingredients are called “inert ingredients” by federal law. They are important for product performance and usability.

Environmental Safety Programs