There is now described a method of controlling pests with macrolide compounds; more specificallyA) a method of controlling pests in and on transgenic crops of useful plants, such as, for example, in crops of maize, cereals, soya beans, tomatoes, cotton, potatoes, rice and mustard, with a macrolide compound, characterized in that a pesticidal composition comprising a macrolide compound in free form or in agrochemically useful salt form and at least one auxiliary is applied to the pests or their environment, in particular to the crop plant itself; B) A method of protecting plant propagation material and plant organs formed at a later point in time from attack by pests, characterized in that a pesticide comprising, as pesticidally active compound, at least one macrolide compound as active ingredient and at least one auxiliary in close spatial proximity to, or spatially together with, planting or applying the propagation material is employed to the site of planting or sowing; C) a method of controlling wood pests and molluscs with a macrolide compound, wherein a pesticidally active amount of a pesticide comprising, as pesticidally active compound, at least one macrolide, in free form or agrochemically utilizable salt form, as active ingredient and at least one auxiliary is applied to the pests or their environment; the corresponding use of these compounds, corresponding pesticides whose active ingredient is selected from amongst these compounds, a method for the preparation and the use of these compositions, and plant propagation material which is protected in this manner from attack by pests.