What are antimicrobial pesticides commonly referred to as?

Antimicrobial pesticides are commonly referred to as biocides. This term encompasses a broad range of substances that can kill or inhibit the growth of living microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae. Biocides are essential in various applications, including in healthcare settings, food processing, and other environments where maintaining sanitation and preventing the spread of infection is critical.

The other terms, while related to controlling harmful organisms, do not accurately describe the full scope of antimicrobial pesticides. Antiseptics are specifically used on living tissues to reduce the possibility of infection, which is a narrower category than biocides. Pest repellents typically refer to substances aimed at deterring pests rather than killing them, while herbicides specifically target plant species. Thus, biocides is the most encompassing and appropriate term to describe antimicrobial pesticides.