Avoid Pesticides
Studies show that more than 95% of sprayed pesticides miss their intended target and end up in soil, air, or waterways—where they kill non-target organisms and can ultimately harm human health. Organic pesticides are generally safer for people, but they can still be highly toxic to beneficial insects and other wildlife. Today, more than 18,000 chemical formulations are registered as pesticides in the U.S. Some of the most concerning are insecticides marketed for mosquito and tick control. Systemic pesticides—those absorbed into a plant’s tissues—are especially harmful, as they persist in pollen and nectar and have been proven to damage pollinator populations.
Pesticide use is linked to canine and human cancers, hormone imbalances and neurological impairments. Yet, American homeowners purchase more than one billion pounds of pesticides and herbicides every year. This has caused our lawns to become the largest, most toxic, ‘crop’ in the USA. While many countries have drastically limited or banned the use of these harmful pesticides, the US government is relaxing its safety requirements, and postponing consideration of the possible dangers of these chemicals.
Healthy yards really don’t need pesticides. In fact, regular pesticides applications damage soil health and will eventually stunt growth. In addition, pesticides can create a deadly cycle by doing exactly the opposite of what they were intended to do: causing growth of pests by eliminating the natural predators of those pests. For temporary problems with insects and diseases, there are often natural, less harmful solutions. If you have plants that are repeatedly attacked by pests, you should consider replacing them with more resilient species.