While some insects actually help your garden, others can do a lot of damage. And most of the time, people battle these pesky critters with an barrage of pesticides. But the heavy use of pesticides can do more harm than good. While they do help get rid of unwanted insects, pesticides can also lead to environmental problems. The chemicals many people use on their lawn can end up in Memphis-area streams such as Nonconnah Creek and the Wolf River in the form of runoff pollution.
Pesticides are toxic chemicals that can severely harm humans, animals, aquatic organisms and plants.
When it rains, the excess pesticides are washed down lawns and driveways, into the streets and down the storm drains. Once down the storm drain, the untreated toxins flow into concrete channels and eventually end up in local bodies of water such as the Wolf River or McKellar Lake. Once pesticides are in the streams, they are directly toxic to aquatic wildlife and can accumulate in the food chain. There are steps people can take to minimize pesticide runoff. The insect should be listed on the label.