Not only are pesticides a health hazard, they may not even work.
Healthy soil helps minimize pests.
Build yours up with compost to add nutrients, promote microbial activity, and attract earthworms. Bugs use sophisticated cues to find the plants they want, so keep 'em off guard by surrounding your veggies with flowers. In particular, marigolds and calendula mask the odor of food crops and attract beneficial insects. Raspberry bushes host the cocoon of the praying mantis, an all-purpose pest fighter. When growing season is over, build up soil by layering a cover crop like oats or rye to add organic matter and prevent erosion.