Chemical Pesticides have only been in existence for about 50 years. Gardeners, farmers, and foresters have always had to control pests,using methods like crop rotation, companion planting, biological controls. It is only recently that pest management has become virtually synonymous with the use of chemical pesticides. We must reverse this unsustainable trend. Ecological methods of pest control must replace the over-dependence on chemicals that now threatens us all.
Most people are unaware of pesticide dangers.
Most people do not know that non-toxic lawn care is available. There is a powerful economic incentive for large chemical companies to promote pesticides. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides on lawns weaken the grass and destroy the natural balance of microbes and beneficial insect predators, thus promoting weed and insect proliferation. When it comes to pesticide use in Canada, we are a human experiment without records being kept. We have chemical warfare going on in our neighborhoods.