To Use, or not to use, Pesticides

At the Urban Ecology Center, the usage of pesticides are as limited as possible.  A pesticide, or "any mixture substance intended for preventing or repelling any pest" can have its positives and negatives.  Here are some helpful tips to help decide what's right.


Advantages
- They are fast acting
-Pesticides help to control large areas at a time
-Low labor is necessary
-They help to prevent form foreign pests that can become issues to our ecosystem


Disadvantages
-Pesticides target other species that the one you are after
-There are health effects that can range from simple skin irritation to cancer if used to often
-limited exposure is necessary


Types:  Pesticides don't only come in one form, and they can be used to control a small home garden or a large corporation field.  There are many types of pesticides, but the most common are; chemical substances, biological agents ( viruses), and antimicrobial


Pests; So,who exactly is it that's being destroyed? Well, pesticide are meant to target certain invasive species, but can end up harming the entire population of plants and animals in that area.  It is important to not use pesticides to reduce the amount of native plants and animals becoming harmed. Pests include; non-native plants that are overgrown, insects, plant pathogens, weeds, or any other type of animal that destroys natural properties.

-Melissa Luke