Andrew P. Flynn
ATL 110, Section 009
Frank C. Manista, Ph.D.
October 17, 2002
Alternatives to Pesticides
It is true, that the public perception of pesticide use is not a good one. The majority of
people are uninformed about pesticides and their effects on the environment. The public has
been given this perception through media coverage of extreme environmentalists saying that
pesticides are killings the environment and ourselves. In reality, if people were better informed
about pesticides, they would know that when pesticides are used in a correct fashion, the
majority of the effects are positive for the environment and ourselves. Because pesticides have
been given such a bad reputation, it is important to begin to think of some alternatives to using
these chemical products.
The two main alternatives to spraying pesticides would be using biological control
methods to overtake the pest or by using integrated pest management (IPM) which would also
control pests. Biological controls would consist of introducing an opposing species of the pest in
order to run out the pest or destroy it. This works good sometimes, but could have negative
effects when the species that has been introduced to the pest becomes more of a problem. IPM
consists of minimizing the use of chemical practices and concentrating more on cultural methods
to control pests. This would include things such as pruning a dead branch off of a tree, mowing
the grass at a certain height to minimize risks of infestation, or by using any type of preventable
measure to try to keep a pest out. In the article, “When Not To Spray, Yet Achieve Success,” by
Austin Frishman, are some good examples of biological control methods and IPM. Frishman
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explains in a list of ways of when not to spray pesticides, yet achieve success in pest control. For
example, when fruit flies are living around a trash basket, remove the trash, clean the container,
and use an insect light trap to capture the adults. There are several more situations that when one
understands the biology of the pest, there is no need for spraying a pesticide. “Yes, there are
many situations where the use of some pesticide is necessary. I just wanted to give some
examples of why we do not grab for the can first and think later” (Frishman 9). This list of 15
different ways to avoid using pesticides is definitely a good alternative to pesticide use.
The use of pesticides could be called upon pretty much anywhere. Unfortunately,
pesticides may have to used around schools which the public is totally against. That is why IPM
is such a big issue around schools these days. Nobody wants their kid to be sprayed with a
pesticides, so because of public concern, pesticides use is practically restricted in school areas.
Officials believe that IPM is the best alternative they have left to control pests around their
schools. In the article, “IPM In Schools Not A Problem If Done Correctly,” it is shown how the
implementation of IPM in and around schools is not a problem and how many activists groups
are seeking to ban all pesticides from schools. These activist groups typically do not understand
all of what is necessary to manage pests in schools and also have incompatible goals with pest
management professionals. The pest management industry’s goal is to manage the pests, while
activists’ objective is to get rid a pesticides. What gives the activists’ the advantage is that there
are so many children around schools. “There’s so much negativity surrounding chemicals and
pesticides and the impact they may have on children. It creates long term interest from activist
groups, which are mostly comprised of teachers, parents and traditional environmentalists”
(Harrington 59). This is just another example of why alternatives to pesticides are beginning to
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become such an area of concentration for pest management industries. As long as there are
chemicals being sprayed, there will be people who are against it.
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Frishman, Austin. “When Not To Spray, Yet Achieve Success.” Pest Control. 70, 9.
September 2002: 8-9.
Anonymous. “IPM In Schools Not A Problem If Done Correctly.” Pest Control. 69, 3.
March 2001: 59-61.