What is the main purpose of fungicides?

Fungicides are specifically designed to target and eliminate fungi, which include molds, yeast, and certain plant pathogens. The primary purpose of these chemicals is to prevent or manage fungal infections in plants, crops, and other surfaces where fungal growth can be detrimental. By effectively destroying fungi, fungicides help in protecting plants from diseases that can lead to reduced yields and economic losses in agriculture.

The other options involve different types of pest control: controlling insects or rodents would fall under the use of insecticides or rodenticides, respectively, while repelling birds involves methods that are unrelated to the function of fungicides.