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The debate over the use of chemical pesticides and herbacides has become even hotter with increased emphasis on our environment. Chemical methods of removal should be reserved for extreme cases in which no other method has worked. For example the noxious weed that has taken over the yard and is now threatening the neighbors yards as well as the yard across the street.

In recent research, the David Suzuki Foundation discovered that in Canada each year over 6,000 people are afflicted with pesticide poisoning. Nearly half of those affected are under the age of six. "imagine 100 kindergarten classes, or 50 school buses full of young children." (http://www.davidsuzuki.org/he alth/food/poisoning.asp). Symptoms of pesticide poisoning can include, but are not limited to, dizziness, nausea,stomach cramps, blurred vision and excessive sweating. These symptoms could often be confused for something else. There are currently over one-hundred and twenty five municipalities within Canada that have passed anti-pesticide laws.

Agricultural practices are done on a large scale. The average home owner is not having to rely on income from their vegetable garden. Chemical pesticides for this purpose may be necessary, but that is another argument. Therefore, doesn't it make sense to not use them in our own gardens. There is no reason to further contaminate our earth.

People and animals are affected by the use of pesticides, especially anti-cholinesterase pesticides. This pesticide will quickly attack the nervous system.

Over a period of time weeds can actually develop a resistance to commercially available herbicides. This is especially true if the herbicide was used improperly in the first place. Yet again, another chemical that is used to excess. It is not possible to contain these chemicals. They are present in the spring run off, leeching into drinking water, they soak through the skin, the leech into creeks and rivers, affecting all of the wild life that use that water source.

It is essential that gardeners and landscapers decide that there is no longer a place in their industries and hobbies for commercially available herbicides and pesticides. There are alternatives. They may not necessarily be the quick fix that the herbicide or pesticides are, but nonetheless are better for humans and animals alike.

One very viable alternative is Integrated Pest Management. Essentially I.P.M "is a decision-making process that anticipates and prevents pest activity and infestation by combining several strategies to achieve long-term solutions. Components of an I.P.M program may include education, proper waste management, structural repair, maintenance, biological and mechanical control techniques, and pesticide application." (http://www.pestcontrolcanada. com/integrated_pest_management .htm)

This could mean attracting more birds to the garden to deal with certain insects, encouraging other insects to flourish, because they do not harm your garden, but rather just might eat the offending insects.

Other methods could include using mulches to keep weeds down, removing weeds completely from the site, ensuring that mulches and organic fertilizers come from a reliable or certified weed free source. There is a possibility that a herbicide or pesticide may be used in I.P.M. Ultimately it is an absolute last resort.

It is imperative that those with a keen interest in the future of our planet and our species choose to use other methods. It is completely unnecessary to use chemicals. We as habitants of the planet must make this decision on our own.

Learn more about this author, Kamille Pierog.
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