A pest is any organism that humans consider destructive or unwanted. Whether or not an organism is considered a pest can vary with time, geographical location, and individual attitude. For example, some people like pigeons, while others regard them as pests. Some pests are merely an inconvenience. In the United States, mosquitoes are thought of as pests because they are an annoyance, not because they are dangerous. The most dangerous pests are those that carry disease or destroy crops. One direct way of controlling pests is by poisoning them with toxic chemicals (pesticides). A more environmentally sensitive approach is to find natural predators that can be used against them (biological controls).

See Also

Bacillus Thuringiensis; Integrated Pest Management; Population Biology