Which list includes common inorganic pesticides?

Which list includes common inorganic pesticides?

• A. Borates, copper, and sulfur
• B. Borates, neonicotinoids, and growth regulators
• C. Pyrethroids, organophosphates, and growth regulators
• D. Copper, sulfur, and neonicotinoids

Answer: (A)

Pesticides that are inorganic are mineral-based or metal salt compounds, not carbon-containing organic chemicals. Borates (boric acid/borax), copper compounds, and sulfur fit this category, and they’ve long been used as inorganic options for pest control. Borates act mainly as stomach poisons and desiccants for insects, copper compounds are widely used as fungicides, and sulfur serves as a fungicide/miticide. The other options mix in organic pesticides—neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, organophosphates, and insect growth regulators—none of which are inorganic. So the list with borates, copper, and sulfur is the one that includes common inorganic pesticides.

Pesticides that are inorganic are mineral-based or metal salt compounds, not carbon-containing organic chemicals. Borates (boric acid/borax), copper compounds, and sulfur fit this category, and they’ve long been used as inorganic options for pest control. Borates act mainly as stomach poisons and desiccants for insects, copper compounds are widely used as fungicides, and sulfur serves as a fungicide/miticide.

The other options mix in organic pesticides—neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, organophosphates, and insect growth regulators—none of which are inorganic. So the list with borates, copper, and sulfur is the one that includes common inorganic pesticides.