insecticide
noun
in·sec·ti·cide
in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd 
plural insecticides
: an agent that destroys one or more species of insects
broadly
: an agent that destroys insects as well as other small pests (such as mites or nematodes)
Aphids, mealybugs, and cyclamen mites are all common problems and can be controlled with any low-toxicity insecticide sold specifically for houseplants. —
Horticulture
Horticulture Examples of insecticide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fipronil, a broad-use insecticide, is used to control ants, beetles, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, termites and more, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024
Mosquitoes have developed some resistance to pyrethroid insecticide, however, limiting the success of large bed net distribution programs.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 17 Apr. 2024
The university recommends applying insecticides to the shrubs and trees that are threatened by heavy-feeding and to the host tree before the caterpillars mature and their populations begin to spread.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Follow the instructions carefully and consider using insecticides with lower environmental impact, such as those containing natural ingredients or targeting specific life stages of the crane fly.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024
The American Cancer Society says the cause of most lymphomas is unknown, but non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been linked to risk factors, including exposure to certain chemicals in herbicides and insecticides.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
This can be done by using a systemic insecticide through a soil drench.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 16 Mar. 2024
Use insecticides with care: In severe infestations, insecticides labeled for crane fly control can be used.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024
However, if 20% of agricultural land held organic crops — as the California Air Resources Board envisions — total insecticide use fell by 17%.
—Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024
Mosquitoes have developed some resistance to pyrethroid insecticide, however, limiting the success of large bed net distribution programs.
—Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 17 Apr. 2024
The university recommends applying insecticides to the shrubs and trees that are threatened by heavy-feeding and to the host tree before the caterpillars mature and their populations begin to spread.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Follow the instructions carefully and consider using insecticides with lower environmental impact, such as those containing natural ingredients or targeting specific life stages of the crane fly.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024
The American Cancer Society says the cause of most lymphomas is unknown, but non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been linked to risk factors, including exposure to certain chemicals in herbicides and insecticides.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
This can be done by using a systemic insecticide through a soil drench.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 16 Mar. 2024
Use insecticides with care: In severe infestations, insecticides labeled for crane fly control can be used.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024
However, if 20% of agricultural land held organic crops — as the California Air Resources Board envisions — total insecticide use fell by 17%.
—Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insecticide.' 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 insecticide
Cite this Entry
“Insecticide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecticide. Accessed 5 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insecticide
noun
in·sec·ti·cide
in-ˈsek-tə-ˌsīd
: a chemical used to kill insects
insecticidal
adjective
(ˌ)in-ˌsek-tə-ˈsīd-ᵊl
Medical Definition
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