Agricultural crops are attacked by many insects and pests. The world food production is adversely affected by insects and pests during crop growth, harvest and storage. The Indian tradition of controlling or repelling insects/pests has ancient roots in Sanskrit literature. Ancient agriculturalists had different forms of control such as prayer, magic spells, cultivation techniques, mechanical practices, and application of several organic and inorganic substances to protect their crops from the depredations of weeds, diseases, and insect pests.