Pesticides to Kill Bugs in Corn

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

• One of the most persistent and destructive of corn pests is the European corn borer. Bacillus thuringiensis kills these borers as well as most caterpillars that cause problems in corn. Bacillus thuringiensis is actually a common bacterial disease that many insects carry without harm to themselves. Scientists identified and isolated certain strains that produce adverse effects in pests like the caterpillar. Now many corn pesticides on the market have Bacillus thuringiensis as their main active components. Some pests, most notably the aphid, are not affected by Bt. Aside from the efficiency with which they kill major pests like caterpillars, Bacillus thuringiensis pesticides are common because they cause no harm to animals, humans or beneficial insects in the corn crop.

Malathion

• Malathion is another good pesticide because it kills many insects that are not affected by Bacillus thuringiensis. A small application of malathion will kill aphids, leaf hoppers and grasshoppers. Malathion's pitfall is its toxicity. It may kill corn pests, but it also causes adverse effects in birds, humans and especially water-dwelling invertebrates. Environmental activists are seeking other alternatives to malathion in growing crops, as runoff of malathion into lakes and rivers could eventually reach a level that causes detrimental consequences. Although research is not conclusive, some early signs show that malathion could be cancer-causing for humans who ingest it.

Carbaryl

• A carbaryl pesticide can eliminate corn pest damage caused by European corn borers, corn ear worms, grasshoppers and leaf hoppers. However, despite the advantages of killing these pests, carbaryl can pose more of a threat than a solution. It has proven toxic for humans who touch, ingest or inhale it, though research does not yet point to any carcinogenic properties. It affects both animals and insects, and in the process of killing destructive insects, it can also kill insects that are beneficial to the corn crop's health. Carbaryl does not have a long term negative effect on the environment, because the corn plant quickly absorbs it and evaporation gets rid of some traces.

Diazinon

• Although many pesticides eliminate pests and the corn pest damage they cause, diazinon is the last of those most frequently used. It kills aphids, grasshoppers, leafhoppers and spider mites. Diazinon is extremely effective in destroying these pests, and it also holds the appeal of not being as toxic as other pesticides like malathion or carbaryl. Humans are only susceptible to toxicity when they ingest a large amount, and research thus far has proven that it is not cancer-causing. Diazinon passes safely through the system of most animals that ingest it, unless it is in large amounts, but birds are particularly vulnerable.