Pesticides & Bees
Over a billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States each year.[1] By design, pesticides are meant to kill a host of unwanted insects, plants and other garden, lawn and agricultural pests. While it’s important to protect our food supply and backyard gardens, today’s practices have catastrophic effects on bees, wildlife and our environment.
Neonicotinoids are the top offenders and have so clearly shown harm to bees that the European Union banned the outdoor use of them in 2018. In addition, glyphosate — the most heavily used herbicide in the U.S. — continues to demonstrate its toxicity to bees, the environment and us.
6 Ways to Naturally Control Weeds
1. Boiling water
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and carefully pour on the leaves and stems of the weeds.
- Best for small areas, sidewalks and driveway cracks.
2. White vinegar
- Spray on the leaves of the weeds. Minimize overspray to avoid damaging garden plants and soil.
- Best for small areas, sidewalks and driveway cracks.
3. Organic corn gluten meal
- Spread over area to eliminate weeds before they emerge (not to be confused with cornmeal).
- Best for large spaces.
4. Mulch
- Apply 3 inches of organic mulch such as bark, compost, well-rotted manure, shredded leaves or straw.
- Best for small to larger areas; garden and landscape beds.
5. High mowing
- Raise your mower blade to 3 to 4 inches. This allows the grass to crowd out the weeds.
- Best for lawns.
6. Hand Pulling
- Pull by hand or with a weed tool to remove as much of the root system as possible.
- Best for small areas, garden and landscape beds.
Learn more about pesticides, what they’re used for, their toxicity and how to avoid them by using natural alternatives.
Methods to Control Problem Pests
1. GO NATIVE
Choose plants that are native to your region and naturally pest-resistant to bugs in your area. Let mother nature be in charge!
2. GO NATURAL
For almost every vegetable, there is a beneficial companion plant that will naturally increase soil nutrients and chase away pests.
3. CHOOSE DIVERSITY
Include a diversity of plants to encourage a healthy balance of beneficial and problem insects — no pesticide intervention required!
Learn more about common garden pests and how to fend them off.
