insecticidal
adjective
in·sec·ti·cid·al
(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsī-dᵊl 
1
: destroying or controlling insects
2
: of or relating to an insecticide
Examples of insecticidal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If trying an insecticide for stubborn outbreaks, consider horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, or the active ingredient spinosad.
—
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2024
These pale green, soft-bodied, sap-sucking insects can be sprayed off of plants with water or controlled with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2024
No insecticides are allowed; all weeding must be done by hand or with a natural insecticide such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, which garden managers have taught some neighbors how to make.
—Page Leggett, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024
This belief likely came from nutmeg’s insecticidal qualities, which would have helped keep fleas carrying the plague off people sporting a nutmeg necklace.
—Serina Desalvio, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2023
If more leaves continue to be affected, spray insecticidal soap under the leaves.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023
If the soil is overly dry, spider mites may attack, but a mild insecticidal soap treats these pests.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2023
Applications would either be very short-lived, like insecticidal soap or neem oil, which need frequent reapplication, or would have long-lasting residues and therefore be much more hazardous to other organisms.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2023
Their natural enemies live in the garden, too; so don’t spray with any kind of pesticide, oil or insecticidal soap.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2023
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2024
These pale green, soft-bodied, sap-sucking insects can be sprayed off of plants with water or controlled with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2024
No insecticides are allowed; all weeding must be done by hand or with a natural insecticide such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, which garden managers have taught some neighbors how to make.
—Page Leggett, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024
This belief likely came from nutmeg’s insecticidal qualities, which would have helped keep fleas carrying the plague off people sporting a nutmeg necklace.
—Serina Desalvio, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2023
If more leaves continue to be affected, spray insecticidal soap under the leaves.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023
If the soil is overly dry, spider mites may attack, but a mild insecticidal soap treats these pests.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2023
Applications would either be very short-lived, like insecticidal soap or neem oil, which need frequent reapplication, or would have long-lasting residues and therefore be much more hazardous to other organisms.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2023
Their natural enemies live in the garden, too; so don’t spray with any kind of pesticide, oil or insecticidal soap.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insecticidal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near insecticidal
Cite this Entry
“Insecticidal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticidal. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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