if the question is:
What’s a fast way to kill off pollinators while causing harm to children and pets?
In a world where the delicate balance of ecosystems is increasingly threatened, the use of pesticides has become a prickly issue. While pesticides may seem like a quick fix, the collateral damage often outweighs their benefits.
Pesticides (“cides” like insecticides, herbicides, etc.), designed to kill off unwanted insects, plants, and organisms, often end up harming more than just their intended targets. Pollinators, crucial to the reproduction of many plant species, are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects are essential for the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without them, our food supply would be severely diminished.
But the harm doesn’t stop there. Pesticides can also pose significant risks to human health, especially to children and pets. Residues from these chemicals can linger on surfaces and in the environment, potentially contaminating outdoor toys, playsets and furniture, along with vegetable gardens and water sources. Long-term exposure to pesticides, which are endocrine disruptors, has been linked to a range of health issues, including cancer, developmental disorders, and neurological damage.

Here are 10 health-friendly alternatives to herbicides:
- Mulching: Mulching can suppress weed growth by covering the soil with materials like wood chips, straw, or compost. This prevents sunlight from reaching weed seeds and also retains moisture and adds nutrients to the soil.
- Boiling Water: Pouring boiling water directly onto weeds can kill them by destroying their cell structure. This method is best suited for weeds growing in areas where you don’t want to harm surrounding plants, such as between paving stones or in cracks on sidewalks.
- Vinegar: White vinegar with a high acetic acid concentration can be used as a natural weed killer. Simply spray the vinegar directly onto the leaves of weeds, being careful to avoid desirable plants, as vinegar can also kill them.
- Manual Removal: Pulling weeds by hand or using hand tools like a hoe or a weeding fork is a labor-intensive but effective way to control weeds without using herbicides. Be sure to remove the entire weed, including the roots, to prevent regrowth.
- Corn Gluten Meal: Unlike corn starch, corn gluten meal is a byproduct of corn processing that contains natural compounds that inhibit weed seed germination. Applying corn gluten meal to the soil can help prevent new weeds from sprouting.
- Salt: Salt can be used sparingly as a weed killer, but it’s important to use it carefully, as it can also harm desirable plants and remain in the soil for an extended period, affecting future plant growth.
- Flame Weeding: Flame weeding involves using a propane torch to briefly pass flames over weeds, causing them to wither and die. This method is effective for controlling weeds in areas like gravel driveways or along fence lines. *Note* This method uses fossil fuels and can be dangerous to an untrained user.
- Manual removal: After manually removing weeds, consider planting cover crops like clover, which requires low water usage and adds nitrogen back to the soil. Other cover crop ideas include buckwheat or rye which will grow and outcompete weeds for space, nutrients, and sunlight. Cover crops also improve soil health and fertility, making it less hospitable for weeds to grow. Consider ground cover like thyme, which is a stepable (meaning it can be walked on and still thrive)
- Natural Herbicide Products: Look for commercial herbicide products that are certified organic or labeled as eco-friendly. These products often contain natural ingredients like citric acid, clove oil, neem oil, or soap-based surfactants to control weeds. *Note* The oils could also inadvertently cause harm to beneficial insects, so use selectively.
- Embrace your Inner Naturalist. Many of the so-called weeds are simply plants. Like dandelions, for instance. Their long tap root helps to minimize flood risk while fixing the nitrogen in your soil. Dandelions are some of the first flowers of spring and last flowers of fall. They provide vital nutrients to our native pollinators who may need immediate sustenance in early spring or a fill-up before a long winter’s nap. Is it really so bad to have bright yellow flowers in your yard? Check out a news segment I did several years ago From Pest to Pesto: The Incredible Edible Dandelion.
What about mosquitoes?
I have two posts on managing mosquitoes while protecting pollinators here and here.
As we celebrate Earth Day and reflect on our opportunity to protect and preserve the planet, it’s the perfect time to embrace health-friendly alternatives to harmful pesticides. By choosing differently, we not only safeguard the health of our environment and the well-being of future generations but also contribute to the beauty and diversity of our landscapes.
So let’s roll up our sleeves, get creative, and show Mother Earth some love by nurturing our gardens and green spaces in harmony with nature.
Happy Earth Day!
