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Purpose: Solving environmental problems in agriculture is an important aspect of human activity. One of the ways to overcome these problems is chemicalization, which was used in Russia as early as in the nineteenth–early twentieth centuries. The aim of the study is to cover the history of chemical pest control in the Pskov province at the beginning of the twentieth century and to identify the problems faced by the Pskov department of the Imperial Russian Gardening Society leaders in the course of events. Design/methodology/approach: Using both general scientific and special historical methods, the authors present an objective picture of the agricultural pest control organized by the designated organization, its members and residents of the province. Based on materials from the local periodical press of the beginning of the twentieth century, archival sources and scientific literature, the article discusses organization of the garden crops insect pest control by the Pskov department of the Imperial Russian Gardening Society within the territory of Pskov and its suburbs in 1908–1909 on the example of apple moth (“May worm”). Results: The analysis of the material studied allowed us to draw conclusions about the results and practical significance of the measures taken. In general, the measures had a positive effect, since the goal—the destruction of pests—was achieved. However, it became obvious that the insecticides used in the processing of orchards are dangerous not only for apple moths, but also for the living beings around.