Don’t be fooled by the name. Pests, such as insects and weeds, are not the only victims of pesticide application. Humans, especially children, are in danger of exposure to pesticides—linked to numerous diseases and adverse health conditions—from simply playing or walking barefoot on the lawn. These chemicals can also be tracked into homes and settle on carpets and furniture. Furthermore, pesticides pollute our air, water, and soil.

A new brochure, Natural Lawn Care for Homeowners, explains the advantages of natural lawn care and provides homeowners with the information necessary to maintain a healthy, aesthetically-pleasing lawn without the use of chemicals.

This publication provides step-by-step descriptions of the basic measures that help homeowners accomplish this, including soil testing, fertilizing, watering, and mowing. It also includes research-based explanations of how pesticides can be harmful to human and animal health, degrade soil, pollute water, and harm wildlife.

“Natural lawn care is easy and effective,” said Rachel Rosenberg, Safer Pest Control Project executive director. “You can have a healthy lawn simply by changing a few of your lawn care practices—like mowing higher, keeping your grass clippings on the lawn, watering deeply and infrequently and of course, stopping the use of herbicides and insecticides. A healthy and natural lawn will have the capacity to fight drought, disease and insects without the use of pesticides.”

This publication was developed by the Safer Pest Control Project with support from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. For more information or to download the publication, visit the IISG catalog or the Safer Pest Control Project.