1. Plural of mirex; a highly toxic synthetic pesticide formerly used to control fire ants and other insects, now banned in most countries due to environmental persistence and bioaccumulation.
Usage: technical; chemistry/environmental science; largely historical use

Examples

• Mirexes were widely applied in agricultural and urban pest control during the 1960s and 1970s.
• The persistence of mirexes in soil and water has made them a concern for environmental cleanup efforts.
• Researchers studied the effects of mirexes on wildlife populations decades after their application.
• Many countries phased out mirexes due to their classification as persistent organic pollutants.