Mycopesticides

By utilizing mycelium instead of pesticides to get rid of insects, we can avoid harmful chemicals that negatively affect other plants/animals, polluting water, and expose humans to unnecessary toxins [1].

Pesticides show a serious health hazard to humans and animals, as chemical compounds accumulate and are sustained through food cycles. Certain mycelium will attach their spores to insects and germinate, breaking through the exoskeleton with chitin-dissolving enzymes [2].

The mycelium will continue to grow inside the insect, disrupting its metabolism, causing cell death, and eventually killing the insect[2]. Termites and ants cost billions of dollars a year in building damages, and current pesticide treatments are often ineffective and toxic to the environment.