If those chemicals are not used completely by the lawn, they end up in the runoff and then in the bay. Excess fertilizers in bayous and bays result in fish kills every year because of over-fertilization of the algae in the water. Pesticides are directly toxic to aquatic wildlife and can accumulate in the food chain, sometimes ending up on the consumer's plate, Jacob continued. Green, suburban, single-species lawns are not natural, and their maintenance can create a vicious cycle. They must be mowed and fertilized constantly to maintain that flawless appearance.
More fertilizer requires more mowing.
Applying pesticides to yards disrupts the balance of ecology, thus requiring more pesticides. This is not healthy for the homeowner nor the bayous where the runoff goes. Mow the lawn as high as you can, and leave the clippings on the ground. The clippings will return nutrients to the lawn and act as fertilizer, so leave them where they can do some good. In addition, thicker lawns reduce evaporation and the lawn will require less watering.