Healthy Yard and Gardens

Creating a beautiful outdoor area for you, your family, and pets to enjoy is possible without using harmful chemical products. It’s healthier for everyone and the environment too!

Keep your loved ones, our waterways, and wildlife safer and healthier by choosing less-toxic products for pest control in your yard and garden. You can also reduce or avoid the use of pesticides or fertilizers by following sustainable gardening practices. Lastly, if you want to hire professional help, hire contractors trained in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Find Less Toxic Pest-Control Solutions

Are pests bugging you? If pests are taking over, there might be a good reason! 

Check our Pest Control Fact Sheets for solutions to your pest problems. Information is key to deal with pest effectively and consciously. Most local hardware stores and nurseries carry less-toxic products. Click here for a printable list of participating stores, and here for list of less toxic pest control products. For more information on pesticide ingredients and a list a Less-Toxic Product List, visit Our Water Our World.

When all else fails, Ask the Gardening Expert!

Aphids brochure

Use Sustainable Gardening Practices

  • Planting native plants reduces the need to water, fertilize or use pest control products.

  • Avoid overwatering. When water overflows from planted areas to sidewalks or streets, pollution from pesticides and fertilizers can wash into storm drains during rainstorms.

  • Apply compost. Compost helps soil retain water and nourishes plants.

  • Prevent bad bugs. Empty standing water to reduce mosquitos. Clean up leaf litter in to reduce fungus and other pests.

  • Invite good bugs. Choose plants that attract pollinators. When you avoid pesticides, you also help keep the helpful insects in your garden.

Aphids

Learn more about how to create a healthy, sustainable garden:

African-American father and daughter holding small seedling at community garden greenery

Want to Hire a Professional?

HIRE A GREEN GARDNER

If you are thinking about hiring someone to maintain your lawn and garden, check out the Santa Clara Valley Green Gardener page. These landscape professionals have been trained in sustainable landscape practices and will maintain your garden without the use of toxic chemicals.

Learn More

HIRE AN IPM-CERTIFIED PEST COMPANY

IPM-Certified practitioners employ a variety of simple practices and techniques to control pests effectively, minimizing the need to use pesticides. They can manage ants, roaches, flies, spiders, rodents, stinging insects, bed bugs and many other pests.

Learn More
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