Cyanogenic glycosides are secondary plant metabolites that are known as plant defense chemicals. They are found in cassava, bamboo, flax, and other plants. In this paper, the role of cyanogenic glycosides, their characteristics, and their interactions with insects are discussed. Previous and current research in our laboratory found that several natural and synthetic cyanohydrins were effective against stored-product insects as fumigants. Due to their insecticidal activity to insects, cyanohydrins can be used as an alternative fumigant and also as soil fumigants. Risk assessment, however, should be done to account for possible environmental problems, non-target wildlife effects, and human health effects.