Pesticides, in general, work by injuring animals, plants, pathogens, or other life, so it's fair to say that they are poisons. No matter how seemingly benign, all pesticides should be treated with the utmost care and respect. It's important to remember that every pesticide undergoes rigorous scientific study so the potential negative impacts can be known and measures taken to avoid them. When used responsibly, they can benefit humanity or the environment in otherwise unachievable ways while having little to no adverse side effects. 

You can learn more at extension.msstate.edu/publications/pesticides-benefits-and-risks 

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a system to control pests that utilizes all available control measures (manual, cultural, biological, and chemical) and comprehensive knowledge of the pest's biology. The use of IPM doesn't forbid pesticide application. It says they shouldn't be the first line of defense, and it encourages using a combination of types of controls. AFPM proudly uses IPM principles and encourages others to integrate IPM into their control system as well.

You can learn more at www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles