Pesticides are harming our pollinators, birds, and biodiversity—but it doesn’t have to be this way. By choosing sustainable gardening practices, we can support a healthy environment right in our backyards. Learn how native plants, soil health, and eco-friendly lawn care can transform your space into a thriving, pesticide-free habitat. Discover easy, actionable tips that make a difference for the planet and our communities!
The widespread use of pesticides in urban and suburban areas has become one of the leading contributors of biodiversity loss. We continue to lose important plants, insects, birds, and animals at alarming rates and put many more species at risk of extinction – including humans.
Societal expectations to maintain pristine, weed, bug and rodent free yards have disconnected us from nature and disrupted the ecological balances that we need to sustain a healthy environment. In the world of instant gratification, many gardeners resort to pesticides and herbicides at the first sign of a weed, an unfamiliar insect, or slight discoloration of a plant with the assumption that it poses a threat to their flowers, vegetable gardens or aesthetic. Some even seek out advice from online gardening groups unaware that a majority of the solutions and “hacks” provided can potentially be very dangerous cocktails.
Temporary elimination can lead people to believe that continued use will prevent future problems, but in reality, it only becomes an expensive, self-destructive cycle that exacerbates the original problem and builds a stronger resistance in undesirable plants and pests.
Pest control companies have been successful in convincing many homeowners that the safest, most enjoyable space is achievable with routine treatments for mosquitoes, ticks, wasps, spiders and rodents, even promising the use of organic products. These are proven to be ineffective and are toxic to bees, butterflies, dragonflies and other pollinators.
The important question we need to ask ourselves is how can we be treating something before knowing if it even exists in the first place? How can we expect to have thriving gardens and bountiful harvests when we continue to kill pollinators and organisms play important roles in plant development? Do we really need to wonder where all of the butterflies, lightning bugs and birds have gone? We already know the answer to these questions, now it’s just a matter of making the necessary changes.
So, what can we do?
Reestablishing biodiversity requires time and patience, but thankfully nature is incredibly resilient – we just need to give it a chance while we still can. Many solutions to common problems are simpler than we think and by choosing sustainable practices, we have the ability to make a positive impact right from our own homes.
Plant Native Plants. Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, forbs and grasses offers numerous benefits. They clean the air and water by filtering pollutants, reduce runoff into waterways, prevent erosion, alleviate soil compaction, and provide safe food and habitat for pollinators, birds and wildlife. Dense plantings are recommended as they leave less room for weeds and retain more water.
Don’t be so quick to intervene. Holes in plants are a sign of a healthy ecosystem and allowing for some “pests” will attract armies of ladybugs, lacewings, spiders, wasps, and other beneficials that prey on them. Allow some time for nature to balance out.
Promote healthy soil. Adding compost, leaves, and other organic matter improves your soil quality and encourages earthworms, beetles, ants, millipedes, centipedes, fungi and many other microorganisms that aerate and decompose. Healthy soil discourages infestations of grubs, fungus gnats, mites, squash bugs and aphids. Minimize soil disruption and avoid tilling.
Crop rotation and cover crops. Many foods that we grow are heavy feeders. Just as farmers rotate between corn and soybeans, home gardeners benefit from the same practice as it replenishes nitrogen and other nutrients. Cover crops act as living mulch that suppress weeds and become compost when cut down.
Learn about your plants. Having some basic knowledge about the plant you want to grow, understanding its growth habits, common insects that are attracted to or use it as a host plant, and having an awareness for common plant diseases will help you identify any problems early on. It’s also a good idea to check if a plant is listed as an invasive species before planting, as those can quickly and aggressively spread and destroy native habitats.
Choose neonicotinoid free seeds & safe nurseries. Ask your nursery if their plants have been treated with neonicotinoids which are incredibly toxic to humans, bees, birds, aquatic life and remain in the soil for many years after applying. Purchase uncoated, non-GMO seeds from reputable growers.
Preventive checks and maintenance. Avoid the need for insecticides, rodenticides and inhumane animal traps by conducting routine perimeter checks around your home. Look for holes and access points near windows, doors, garages, and sheds. Inspect for any indications of wood rot or damage. Remove standing water to eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Maintain a mowed pathway between tall vegetation to reduce contact with ticks.
Eco-friendly lawn care practices and landscapers. Although monoculture lawns do not support much life, we can still enjoy them pesticide free. Mulching your grass clippings returns nutrients back into the soil. Aeration and compost reduces thatch and soil compaction. Corn meal can be used as a pre-emergent for weeds. Allow grass to grow taller and mow less frequently. If you hire landscapers, request that they avoid using pesticides and do not mow during periods of drought when grass is not even actively growing.
Nikki Matthiscyk is a member of the Wild Ones Greater Kane County (IL) Chapter.