While it’s easy to forget about the harmful effects of pesticides and herbicides, these chemicals have potentially negative consequences not just for your yard but for the environment as well. 

Pesticide Problems Explained

Pesticides are, in general terms, a spray chemical that aids in the management of pests and parasites.

Pesticides are also widely used in the agriculture industry by farmers and corporations alike to help yield better crops, improve food quality, and help reduce the spread of disease.

Here’s the rub – you likely are not a farmer, and your grass likely does not need that level of pest prevention. If it does, perhaps it’s time to consider an alternative?

Homeowners will use pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers in significant quantities without thinking about the long-term effects. 

A significant pain point is the spray delivery system. Not only is this easily airborne, but it’s also easily washed away after rain or watering the grass, which then seeps into the groundwater and flows into natural bodies of water – this is called runoff.

The Runoff Blues

Pesticides may aid in pest management, but there is a ripple effect. When we consider the very large pesticide runoff risk, we see that this affects other plant life, benign insects, and the health of natural waterways. 

The chain reaction of pesticide runoff might go something like this: Well water used by farmers may contain toxins, the well water is consumed and used to water crops, and the crops are then sold to the public. 

Pesticides have been linked to birth defects and cancer, and the United States has a long history of heavy spray usage.

With this in mind, it’s vital to be mindful of our own pesticide usage and consider other alternatives, such as artificial grass, to reduce the negative impact of pesticides on the environment.  

The Solution? Artificial Turf!

If you want to find an alternative to pesticides but don’t want to sacrifice having a gorgeous lawn free of insects – artificial grass is your environmentally friendly answer! Because synthetic turf doesn’t grow and is therefore inhospitable to pests, you won’t need weed killers, herbicides, or pesticides. 

Further, artificial grass has benefits aside from being environmentally friendly:

• Switching to artificial turf saves you money on equipment and utility costs.
• Don’t worry about allergies affecting you, your children, or your pets!
• Unlike natural grass, artificial turf looks pristine all year round.

If you’re ready to make the jump to synthetic grass, get in touch with the experts at FieldTurf Landscape today!