Biopesticides: Nature's Pest Control

Biopesticides offer a few distinct benefits that provide an impetus for commercial usage. They are inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides because they utilize naturally found substances rather than synthetic ones. Also, because they occur naturally, they are more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides. Generally, they only affect the target pest, while conventional pesticides often are toxic to organisms other than the pests. This allows biopesticides to be an environmentally friendly alternative because they do not harm non-target organisms like conventional pesticides do. Plant-incorporated protectants provide a built-in repellant that often means they do not require any pesticides at all as they have the pest protection built into them. These benefits are factors that drive further research into biopesticides, resulting in a growing array of products. Additionally, with the growing popularity of organic foods, many farmers see the benefits of biopesticides as they provide pest control while also allowing the crops to remain organic. Biopesticides are produced and developed by biotechnology companies such as Marrone Bio Innovations and Bayer CropScience.