Pesticides Explained
What are Pesticides?
Pesticides are materials used to control insects, weeds, diseases and a host of other pests - not just insects. These materials can be synthetic (man-made) or biological and biorational (derived from items in nature).
There are many common household items that we do not normally perceive as pesticides, yet they are:
- Clorox used in our washing of clothes is an EPA registered pesticide.
- Common soap mixed with water and sprayed onto potted plants is considered a pesticide.
- A pet's flea collar.
- Your lawn care service may use pesticides.
- The surgical room at a hospital has been treated with pesticides.
So, does this mean that pesticides are safe or dangerous? It means neither, but there are things you should be aware of.
Someone You Can Trust
Pesticides (and all chemicals) are like machines; they cannot think or make decisions. We must do that for them. At NaturaLawn of America, we understand the public's concern and are aware of the dangers and impact that a misused pesticide can have on the environment and us.
Chemical Use or Abuse
All of us have a responsibility to help ensure against misuse of a chemical by becoming complacent or uncaring. Remember, a pesticide can be misused in several ways:
- Applying too much ("if a little is good a lot is not better").
- Plants and animals can be sensitive to chemicals. The improper use of chemicals may cause injury and/or sickness.
- Pouring unused or excess materials down the kitchen drain, toilet, or gutter outside is a direct pollutant to our water systems and soils.
Reduced Usage
The Alternative® and Natural Alternative® lawn programs developed by NaturaLawn of America have been able to reduce the use of insect and weed control pesticides by over 80% as compared to traditional chemical lawn care and spray companies. This equates to several thousand gallons of pesticides being eliminated from our environment. (Read more about NaturaLawn of America's Environmental Impact here.)
We do this through the use of our proprietary products that feed the soil and create a healthy environment for the lawn and soil organisms. Our Integrated Pest Management program (IPM) allows us to make better decisions regarding the use of control materials and our dedication to using biological materials further reduces the amount of synthetic pesticides being introduced into the environment.
Before using any pesticide, please read the directions on the label and follow the safety precautions. Remember, children don't always know the difference between something pretty or something poisonous.