Wildlife

Garden Wildlife and Pesticide Harm

Pesticide use in gardens causes harm to a wide range of wildlife including hedgehogs, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates through direct toxicity and food chain effects.

Key Facts

Slug pellets containing metaldehyde kill hedgehogs and thrushes through secondary poisoning
Neonicotinoid insecticides persist in soil and harm bees and other invertebrates
Herbicides remove plant diversity that supports insect communities
Rodenticides cause secondary poisoning in owls and raptors through the food chain
Garden pesticide use is largely unregulated compared to agricultural use

Welfare Considerations

Garden pesticide use causes harm to wildlife at multiple levels: direct toxicity to target and non-target species, secondary poisoning through food chains, and destruction of habitat and food resources. Wildlife-friendly pest management using physical barriers, biological controls, and tolerating some pest damage achieves most garden goals without these welfare costs. Pesticide-free gardening is achievable for the majority of garden management tasks.

What You Can Do

Switch to ferric phosphate slug pellets safe for wildlife
Avoid neonicotinoid insecticides on plants accessible to pollinators
Plant diverse native plants to support insect communities
Use physical barriers for pest management where possible
Avoid using rodenticides where owls and raptors may be exposed