After displaying your sign, you may get some questions from your neighbors about why you are displaying the sign, why you do not use pesticides, or how you manage pests without chemicals. Here are some tips for talking to your friends and neighbors about pesticides:

​

• Emphasize human health – Most people are concerned about the human health implications of pesticide use – and not necessarily the threat pesticides pose to wildlife or the environment. So, while poisoned songbirds are a powerful symbol of the dangers, they may not move everyone to action. What does move many people is the idea that the use of hazardous pesticides can cause cancer and other health problems in their in children, pets and other loved ones. Do not worry if you do not know all the facts to answer their questions, the uncertainty or risk factors speak loudly.

​

• Stress cost-savings – Using fewer pesticides can save money by replacing expensive chemicals with less expensive pest prevention techniques, such as integrated pest management (IPM). IPM gets at the root of the problem and can eliminate the need for pesticides. It is a program of prevention, such as paying attention to healthy soil; monitoring, such as knowing when bug or weed levels become pests; and control, such as weed pulling.

 

• Use reasonable language - The public does not trust advocates who use heated rhetoric. Your words should be balanced, logical, and somewhat unemotional. That does not mean you cannot speak with conviction; it just means you should consider your tone of voice and body language when telling your story. There is no quicker way to turn off a listener than by being overly serious or self important. A sense of humor, for example, can be a great asset.

 

• Keep it simple - Technical and scientific arguments do not always sell in the public marketplace of ideas. Too often they confuse people rather than convince them. Ground your arguments in common sense - use relatively simple ideas that do not require technical expertise to understand or agree with. After all, you do not want to lecture your neighbors, you just want to have a conversation. • Follow up - If your neighbors or friends seem interested in what you are saying, offer to bring them additional information. To find information, articles, or factsheets about pesticides and lawn care, visit our website at www.beyondpesticides.org or give us a call.

​

SOURCE: BEYOND PESTICIDES OWNER MANUAL

​

https://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/lawn/documents/PFZOwnersManual.pdf