A pesticide is a toxic synthetic substance used to directly control and or kill pests or to prevent or reduce the damage they cause. The term "Pesticides" is a generic term referring all to fungicides, herbicides and insecticides.

A pest is any living thing that competes with us for food, fiber, or space, or that threatens the health of people or domestic animals.

Pesticides are found everywhere in the world, contaminating soil, air, groundwater, surface water, rain, snow, even in the Arctic ice pack.

Pesticides residues contaminate birds, fish, wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and human beings, including newborn babies.

More than one billion pounds of pesticides are used annually in the United States primarily herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. While agriculture is the major user, home use is rapidly rising. There is an explosive use of pesticides on lawns, primarily herbicides, but also insecticides and fungicides.

What can you do?

Educate yourself. Discontinue or reduce the use of pesticides. Each one of us can directly control what is done in our home, in our garden, and on our lawn. Start there.