When we think of pesticides, most of us conjure up visions of large-scale forest and agricultural crop spraying. But we can reduce the environmental impacts of our own pesticide use, and also our family's exposure to such pesticides. Companion planting, for example, works perfectly well in the garden. Many insects avoid garlic, chives, mint, anise, coriander, geraniums, nasturtiums and several other plants. Plant one of these near your rosebushes, and such pests as aphids will tend to stay away.
Crop rotation works just as well in the vegetable garden as in the agricultural field.
Some gardeners enlist the help of wildlife and domestic animals. Domestic ducks, for instance, relish most of the weeds which grow in strawberry and cabbage plants, yet they ignore cultivated plants. Fennel attracts tiny wasps which both fertilize flowers and are parasites to many insect pests. Birdhouses and flowering shrubs help attract some insect-eating birds to the home garden. These include brews made from rhubarb, onion, garlic and soap.