Hi Everyone, I think this is an important conversation and felt compelled to chime in because it’s something I’ve struggled with as well. I’m committed to making my yard one that improves the ecology of the environment surrounding it by planting natives, reduced mowing, and leaving brush and leaves in place in certain areas.
However I also have two young kids who I want to be able to explore and garden with me without fear of them contracting a neurological illness that could seriously affect their long term wellbeing. Nymph deer ticks can be almost microscopic and very easy to miss even with a careful tick check, and finding/pulling ticks off your kids absolutely sucks. So I totally get the concern around yard treatments—it’s something I’ve wrestled with myself. The idea of spraying anything, even “natural” products, can feel at odds with protecting the ecosystems we’re trying to live in harmony with. But I think the conversation is more nuanced than a simple yes or no to yard treatments. First, I agree that blanket spraying with synthetic pesticides has serious downsides—many conventional products persist in the environment, harm pollinators and aquatic life, and can throw ecosystems out of balance. But lumping all treatments into the same category overlooks key differences in mechanism, persistence, and impact—especially when it comes to organic options. Take something like cedar oil or garlic oil—these don’t poison invertebrates in the way traditional pesticides do. They act primarily as repellents, breaking down quickly in the environment and generally posing minimal risk to pollinators, soil life, pets, or nearby wetlands when applied carefully. They don’t bioaccumulate, and they don’t wipe out entire food webs. Used strategically, they’re more like a temporary scent barrier than a scorched-earth tactic. Other options like rosemary oil or neem strike a balance—delivering short-term control or long-term disruption of pest lifecycles with very low non-target toxicity. And even pyrethrins, though more potent, are still biodegradable and less persistent than synthetics, provided they’re used with care (like never spraying near water or when pollinators are active). The key difference is that many certified organic treatments, when used by trained professionals, are targeted, short-lived, and lower risk—they don’t leave a toxic residue weeks later. They can be part of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy that includes habitat modification, tick tube deployment, careful timing, and minimizing the need for repeat spraying. And then there’s the public health angle: In areas like New England, where Lyme disease and mosquito-borne illnesses are real and increasing threats, people are trying to protect their kids, pets, and themselves. That doesn’t mean dousing the yard indiscriminately, but it also doesn’t mean ignoring the problem and hoping for the best. For some families, especially those in high-risk areas or with immunocompromised loved ones, a well-chosen, thoughtfully applied organic treatment might be the least harmful option available. So no, organic yard sprays aren’t perfect. And they’re not the whole solution. But painting all treatments with the same brush ignores the fact that some tools are significantly safer and more ecologically sound than others. The goal isn’t to pretend that spraying is impact-free—it’s to make informed, responsible choices that balance human well-being with environmental stewardship. I think if more people understood the differences between these products—and how to use them responsibly—we could have a better conversation about how to coexist with nature while still protecting our families from real threats. Disclaimer: most of this was written with ChatGPT, but does reflect my opinion and seems to be backed with solid science, but if anything seems inaccurate I’d welcome input. Here is a link to the long version of its analysis which includes citations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10SIvpFTWDjwLKFB8aMHrPqBGP1AGPAB3YxF3qBZYC98/edit - Corey On Fri, Apr 18, 2025 at 3:23 AM Jai Kaur <[email protected]> wrote: > Richard, > > No, not false. I did not suggest lawn spraying with any alternate > product, because I disagree with that way of thinking altogether. > > The safer, natural solutions to protect oneself I had in mind are more > along the lines of using common sense solutions like staying away from > brush and low-hanging shrubs as way more ticks are in those places vs > lawns, tucking pant hems into socks, and routinely doing tick checks on > oneself or with someone. > Essential oils applied to skin or clothing offer some degree of protection > and there are many others than peppermint such as thyme, oregano, > citronella, tea tree, geranium, spearmint - perhaps not the ones to wear to > dine but good when you don't want those critters to dine on you ! > > Anyone who is considering this needs to consider the impact on the food > supply chain, ecosystems, and water. We need to stop continuing to dump > toxic chemicals into lawns and gardens year after year. You want to go out > on your nice lawn and not be disturbed by ticks and mosquitoes? Balance > that against our health and the health of the planet because it's one and > the same. That's what it comes down to. We can't keep passing the buck ! > If you care, just don't. > > I love being outdoors in all seasons but in the summer I wear protective > clothing and work to keep my immune system strong which actually means > getting bitten so your immune system can do what it's designed to do ! > > Respectfully, > ~Jai > > > On Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM Richard Panetta <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> I am sorry but your comment is actually false. >> >> I worked for a company and sprayed their product myself and saw first >> hand it never killed any colonies. We had several customers who kept bees >> and it did not affect them. We obviously avoided them and took precautions, >> our product was organic and OMRI rated. >> >> We did use a product that contained peppermint and in some dogs that can >> cause seizures. So I would watch out for that. >> >> > >> On Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 10:23 AM Annamaria San Antonio < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I echo Robin’s remarks. Please reconsider. >>> There are safer, very effective natural solutions to protect you, your >>> children, and your pets if you fear getting bitten by ticks or mosquitoes. >>> Thanks >>> Jai Kaur >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> > On Apr 16, 2025, at 9:51 AM, Robin Wilkerson < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> > >>> > Hi Anna - If I can put in a word for our threatened insects which >>> include bees and important pollinators.. Even though companies will claim >>> that their spray is ‘organic’ and only kills ticks and mosquitoes, that is >>> simply not true. Any spray will kill whatever happens to be in the >>> neighborhood and we are indeed experiencing a serious insect apocalypse. No >>> insects = no birds, and a threatened food supply. I am not being alarmist, >>> merely relating what has been documented. Please reconsider. Thank you. >>> Robin Wilkerson >>> > >>> >> On Apr 16, 2025, at 8:03 AM, Anna Baglan <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >> >>> >> Hello, LT! >>> >> >>> >> I am looking for a recommendation for a company that sprays the yard >>> for ticks and mosquitoes at a reasonable price. I have gotten quotes from >>> two companies that seem kind of high to me, so I’m wondering if anyone has >>> a rec! >>> >> >>> >> Thanks, >>> >> Anna Baglan >>> >> (662) 934-2141 >>> >> -- >>> >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> >> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> >> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >> >>> > >>> > Robin Wilkerson >>> > 31 Old Winter St. >>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/31+Old+Winter+St.+%0D%0A+Lincoln,+MA+01773?entry=gmail&source=g> >>> >>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/31+Old+Winter+St.+%0D%0A+Lincoln,+MA+01773?entry=gmail&source=g>> >>> Lincoln, MA 01773 >>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/31+Old+Winter+St.+%0D%0A+Lincoln,+MA+01773?entry=gmail&source=g> >>> > [email protected] >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > -- >>> > The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> > To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> > Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> > Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> > >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
