The routine use of fertilizers and pesticides in the landscape poses a relatively limited threat to the environment. The potentially harmful effect of these products is more closely associated with their handling, storage and disposal. Frequently home applicators don't take time to read the label before using chemical pesticides. The storage and disposal of chemical pesticides can also be a significant problem. Try not to purchase more product than you will use in a single application, and never dispose of a chemical pesticide or fertilizer by pouring it down the drain.
Many insects play a beneficial role for plants in the landscape.
Honey bees and other pollinators are involved in the reproductive growth phase of plants and flowers. We are extremely dependent on this group of insects for the development of fruits and seeds. There are also a number of insect predators that can attack harmful pests in the landscape. Most gardeners prize ladybugs and the occasional preying mantis for their ability to devour pesty critters. However, there are also a number of parasitic wasps, as well as nematodes, that have beneficial attributes.