What is one benefit of using biorational pesticides?

Biorational pesticides are designed to minimize adverse effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment while still being effective in pest control. This means that they often target specific pests and have a lower toxicity level compared to conventional pesticides, thereby reducing the risk of harm to non-target organisms and the surrounding ecosystem. This attribute is particularly important in integrated pest management (IPM), where the goal is to manage pests with the least risk to people and the environment.

The effectiveness of biorational pesticides can vary, and they may not always outperform more conventional pesticides. While they can be cost-effective, they are not universally less expensive, and some may indeed be more costly depending on the formulation and application needs. Lastly, although safety precautions are always advised when handling any chemicals, biorational pesticides might require different or fewer precautions compared to more toxic substances, but the notion that they require no safety precautions is misleading. Thus, the selection highlighting their reduced harm to humans and non-target organisms accurately reflects one of the key benefits of utilizing biorational pesticides.