Pesticide Use in Gardens: Fewer House Sparrows
In gardens where pesticides are used, there are significantly fewer birds. This has been scientifically researched by biologists. The researchers analyzed surveys from garden bird counters and found a clear negative correlation between pesticide use and the presence of birds in gardens. “This result shows that with pesticide use, you lose more than just weeds,” says Piet Spoorenberg, policy officer for Rural Areas at Vogelbescherming Nederland (Dutch Bird Protection).
More Pesticides, Fewer Sparrows
Hundreds of volunteers participated in garden bird counts. They were also asked about pesticide use, and the environment around the garden was taken into account: was it in an urban or rural setting? Of the 615 gardens with usable surveys, nearly a third were found to use pesticides. In more than half of these cases, glyphosate, the substance found in products like Roundup, was used to combat weeds. A significant number of gardens also used metaldehyde, a pesticide to combat slugs. In the gardens where glyphosate was used, there were 25% fewer house sparrows counted. Gardens that used slug poison had nearly 40% fewer house sparrows.
And let’s be honest: don’t you want to see that beautiful scene of sparrows happily bathing in your garden?
Deadly
Spoorenberg is surprised that metaldehyde is still being used in gardens. “Even dogs can die if they ingest this substance! And there are so many alternatives. From eco-friendly options like burying a small cup with some beer or wrapping copper wire around vulnerable plants, to relatively harmless substances like iron phosphate, available as Escar-Go to combat slugs. Or take a walk in the garden in the evening or early morning to collect slugs when the plants are being heavily eaten. Or think of slugs as part of the garden. They help break down organic waste and provide food for hedgehogs and birds like thrushes and blackbirds.”
Source: Vogelbescherming, March 22, 2023
Hopefully, now all Blixembosch residents have stopped using pesticides!