Environmental Effects of Pesticides - Eliminating Pesticides

Eliminating Pesticides

Many alternatives are available to reduce the effects pesticides have on the environment. There are a variety of alternative pesticides such as manually removing weeds and pests from plants, applying heat, covering weeds with plastic, and placing traps and lures to catch or move pests. Pests can be prevented by removing pest breeding sites, maintaining healthy soils which breed healthy plants that are resistant to pests, planting native species that are naturally more resistant to native pests, and use biocontrol agents such as birds and other pest eating organisms.

There is much debate over alternative methods of controlling pesticides. In many instances, biological controls such as resistant plant varieties and the use of pheromones, have been successful and at times resolving a pest problem permanently. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has also been one practice in pest management which establishes chemical use on a need basis only. IPM is a more socially accepted practice and causes less harm to the health of humans and the environment. The focus is on the pest culture, life cycle, and role in the environment. Biotechnology can also be an innovative way to control pests. Technological advances, such as genetically modified (GM) plants, may have a stronger resistance to pests and could eliminate pesticides use in the future.