Which of the following terms is used to describe a chemical that controls pests?

Pesticides are specifically designed to control pests, which may include insects, weeds, fungi, and other organisms that can harm crops or spread disease. The term encompasses a variety of chemicals used in agricultural practices to protect resources and yields.

Fertilizers, on the other hand, are substances added to soil or plants to provide essential nutrients that support growth but do not serve to control pests. Nutrients refer broadly to the substances that provide nourishment essential for growth and health but do not specifically pertain to pest control. Herbicides are a type of pesticide focused exclusively on the control of unwanted plants or weeds, which makes them a more specific category within the broader term of pesticides. Therefore, while herbicides fall under the umbrella of pesticides, the more general and inclusive term for controlling pests is pesticide.