If you are a crossword enthusiast, you might have come across the clue “pest control product” in the New York Times crossword puzzle. This clue has appeared multiple times in different puzzles, and each time it has a different answer. How can you solve this clue and find the right word for the crossword grid?
What is a pest control product?
A pest control product is any substance or device that is used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any pest. Pests can be insects, rodents, weeds, fungi, bacteria, or any other organism that causes harm or annoyance to humans, animals, crops, or structures. Pest control products can be chemical, biological, mechanical, or physical in nature.
Some examples of pest control products are:
- Insecticides: These are chemicals that kill or repel insects, such as mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches, fleas, etc. Some common insecticides are DDT, pyrethrin, malathion, etc.
- Rodenticides: These are chemicals that kill or repel rodents, such as rats, mice, squirrels, etc. Some common rodenticides are warfarin, bromadiolone, zinc phosphide, etc.
- Herbicides: These are chemicals that kill or inhibit the growth of unwanted plants, such as weeds, grasses, vines, etc. Some common herbicides are glyphosate, atrazine, 2,4-D, etc.
- Fungicides: These are chemicals that kill or prevent the growth of fungi, such as molds, mildews, rusts, etc. Some common fungicides are copper sulfate, sulfur, chlorothalonil, etc.
- Bactericides: These are chemicals that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, streptococcus, etc. Some common bactericides are chlorine, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, etc.
- Traps: These are devices that capture or kill pests, such as insects, rodents, birds, etc. Some common traps are glue boards, snap traps, cage traps, etc.
- Repellents: These are substances that deter pests from approaching or staying in a certain area, such as insects, rodents, animals, etc. Some common repellents are citronella, peppermint, garlic, etc.
- Barriers: These are physical or mechanical means that prevent pests from entering or damaging a certain area, such as insects, rodents, animals, etc. Some common barriers are screens, nets, fences, etc.
How to solve the crossword clue?
To solve the crossword clue “pest control product”, you need to consider the following factors:
- The length of the answer word: The number of letters in the answer word is usually given in parentheses after the clue. For example, if the clue is “pest control product (4)”, then the answer word has four letters.
- The position of the answer word: The answer word is either across or down in the crossword grid. The direction is usually indicated by a number before the clue. For example, if the clue is “1 across: pest control product (4)”, then the answer word is horizontal and starts from the first square of the grid.
- The letters of the answer word: The answer word may share some letters with other words in the crossword grid. The letters that are already filled in the grid can help you narrow down the possible answer words. For example, if the clue is “1 across: pest control product (4)” and the second letter of the answer word is R, then the answer word could be TRAP, SPRAY, or DRIP.
- The context of the clue: The clue may have some hints or references that can help you identify the type of pest control product or the specific brand name of the product. For example, if the clue is “pest control product that rhymes with laid (4)”, then the answer word is RAID, a brand name of insecticide.
Using these factors, you can try to guess the answer word or use a crossword solver tool to find the possible answer words. Here are some examples of how to solve the clue “pest control product” with different answer words:
- Pest control product (4): This clue has four possible answer words: TRAP, SPRAY, DRIP, or BAIT. To find the correct answer word, you need to look at the position of the word in the grid and the letters that are already filled in. For example, if the clue is “1 across: pest control product (4)” and the first letter of the answer word is T, then the answer word is TRAP.
- Pest control product (5): This clue has five possible answer words: SWEEP, D-CON, ORKIN, MOTEL, or ROUND. To find the correct answer word, you need to look at the context of the clue and the position of the word in the grid. For example, if the clue is “pest control product with a hyphen (5)” and the word is down, then the answer word is D-CON, a brand name of rodenticide.
- Pest control product (6): This clue has six possible answer words: RODENT, INSECT, POISON, FUMES, ZAPPER, or BORAX. To find the correct answer word, you need to look at the type of pest control product and the letters that are already filled in the grid. For example, if the clue is “pest control product for bugs (6)” and the third letter of the answer word is S, then the answer word is INSECT.