Home > Science Experiments > Pesticides - Experiment 1 - Natural versus Synthetic: How do different types of pesticides compare against a pest?

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Experiment 1
Natural versus Synthetic: How do different types of pesticides compare against a pest?

Purpose/Hypothesis

Many plants produce substances that prevent or harm pests. Some of these substances kill their insect predators and others repel them. For example, a plant can emit an odor that prevents pests from approaching. Yet while biopesticides are generally safer to the environment and carry fewer risks to people, chemicals remain the pesticide of choice for the vast majority of professionals. Because pesticides are so important to society, people are continuously searching for the most effective substance that will cause the least harm.

In this experiment you will examine how biopesticides compare to a synthetic pesticide. The two natural pesticides are a spray made from chili peppers and one made from garlic. These are commonly...

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1. Introduction
2. Pest control
3. The good, the bad, and the pesty
4. A balancing act
5. Experiment 1 - Natural versus Synthetic: How do different types of pesticides compare against a pest?
6. Experiment 2 - Moving through Water: How can pesticides affect nontarget plant life?
7. Design Your Own Experiment