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Ask yourself if you really need weed killer

Before you buy pesticides, ask yourself whether they are really necessary. Does your lawn have to be absolutely free of daisies and dandelions? Can your borders tolerate a few weeds? Gardens don’t have to be immaculate to be healthy.

Consider alternatives to pesticides

These are a few ideas for controlling pests in your garden without resorting to pesticides:

• you can pick slugs and other pests off plants by hand
• try pulling up weeds, rather than reaching for the pesticides
• you can use beer traps to catch slugs
• try covering weeds with cardboard
• covering young plants at night can protect them from pests

Plan your plants to deter pests

Planning your garden can help minimise pests:

• try planting marigolds near vegetables, where they will deter greenfly and blackfly
• planting lavender near roses can help ward off aphids

Encourage natural pest eaters

Predators such as ladybirds eat pests, so they’re great to have in the garden. Responsible use of pesticides can minimise the harm they can do to certain beneficial insects.

You can encourage ladybirds by planting a small patch of nettles or leaving some plant debris around for them to hibernate in.

Download the leaflet on wildlife friendly gardening below or if you can't download the PDF file then you can request a copy free from: Natural England, PO BOX 1995, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7XX

Telephone: 0870 1214 177

• More on natural pest control (opens new window)
• Download 'Wildlife-friendly gardening - a general guide' (PDF document, 528K) (opens new window)
• Help with PDF files

Use pesticides with care

Pesticides should only be used as a last resort. However, if you find that you do need one, it’s important that you use, store and dispose of it in the right way. Take advice from your garden centre or other retailer on the most suitable product. When using them:

• always read the label on the pesticide and follow the instructions carefully
• don’t try to make the pesticide a bit stronger by using more than the instructions say – doing this could damage your garden
• always wash your hands once you’ve finished using the pesticide
• store any unused pesticides safely away from pets and children, making sure that the container is properly sealed
• never pour unwanted pesticides down the drain – it’s illegal and will contaminate water sources
• your local council can tell you how you can safely dispose of pesticides where you live
• some pesticides are withdrawn from use, so if you’re thinking of using a pesticide that was not recently bought, you can use the link below to check it’s still approved for use
  

• Check the Government Pesticide Safety database (opens new window)
• Pesticides and your garden - find out more (opens new window)
• Disposal of hazardous waste

The wider issue

Although they are designed to kill pests and weeds, some pesticides can harm humans, wildlife and plants. They can also pollute water and poison aquatic life. It costs millions of pounds every year to remove pesticide residue from drinking water.

• More on pollution
• More on nature under threat

More useful links

• Pesticides Safety Directorate (opens new window)