Pesticides are substances used to control pests and are defined as anything intended to prevent, destroy, or mitigate a pest. Pesticides are commonly classified by their chemical class, target organism, mode of action, and application timing. Common pesticides target various organisms like insects, weeds, fungi, and include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides. Pesticides can be applied through different methods at various stages of a crop's development cycle or a perennial crop's dormancy cycle. While pesticides are effective for pest control, overreliance can increase health and environmental risks as well as pest resistance. Integrated Pest Management strategies seek to minimize pesticide use through alternative controls.