How can pesticides affect non-target organisms?

Pesticides can significantly affect non-target organisms through direct contact or environmental contamination. When pesticides are applied, they can inadvertently come into contact with species that were not the intended targets of the application, such as beneficial insects, birds, aquatic life, and plants. This can lead to harmful effects, including death, sublethal effects that impact growth, reproduction, and behavior, and even longer-term ecological consequences.

Environmental contamination occurs when pesticides are washed into water bodies or settle into soil, affecting organisms living in those areas, or being taken up by plants that are not the target of the pesticide's action. The impact of these chemicals can cascade through the ecosystem, affecting food webs and biodiversity.

This understanding of non-target effects is critical for applicators to minimize harm and promote safer practices in pest management. The other options do not accurately describe the ways in which non-target organisms can be impacted by pesticide use. For instance, non-target organisms are not typically benefitted by pesticide applications or limited to only airborne contact; rather, they are affected through various pathways that include both direct exposure and indirect environmental impacts.