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| A Healthy Yard Without
Pesticides |
How much would you pay for the perfect lush, green
lawn? $50? $100? More? Before you pull out your
wallet, you may want to consider the cost to you and
your family's health.
 Commonly
used to make lawns greener and bug-free, pesticides
are poisons designed to kill insects, rodents, weeds
and fungi. Because they are meant to destroy living
organisms, they can also be harmful to humans. Some
have been linked to a variety of illnesses,
including cancer. Young children are particularly at
risk, as their immune systems are still
underdeveloped. For these reasons alone, the
Canadian Cancer Society encourages healthier
alternatives for Canada's green thumbs.
The Society is not the only one concerned about the
negative effects that ornamental pesticides may have
on people's health. Many cities across Canada have
already taken steps to limit or ban them altogether.
There are many ways you can achieve a beautiful
yard. Here are just a few:
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Dig out weeds by hand instead of using weed
killer.
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Use a spray of water from the garden hose to
remove insects from plants and trees.
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Do not over water your lawn. Two centimetres is
all that is needed, so put a container on the
grass when you water it to help you measure.
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Make your own mild insecticide by mixing 2
tablespoons of soap flakes with a litre of water
and lightly spraying plant leaves.
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Gently break up the soil in your lawn to allow
moisture and nutrients to reach the roots.
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Talk to your gardening supply store about
natural alternatives to pesticides, such as
companion plants, which help fend off insects
that affect other plants.
For more information on pesticides and cancer,
contact a Canadian Cancer Society Information
Specialist at 1 888 939-3333 or visit
www.cancer.ca.
- News Canada
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