Pesticide free places » All-Ireland Pollinator Plan

Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides) are potent chemical cocktails designed to kill various organisms. They can directly or indirectly kill, harm and disorientate pollinators through direct exposure or by poisoning their food. One of the best things you can do for pollinators is avoid using them.

Part of the solution is changing the way we view ‘weeds’. Many plants traditionally regarded as weeds, such as Dandelions, are an important food source for pollinators.

In some cases, it is necessary to remove unwanted plants (and it should be noted that pesticides may be essential to remove invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed). Across the island of Ireland, many community groups and local authorities are working to find alternatives to pesticides.

As this work continues, we will update these pages with more information about pesticide alternatives, and places that have chosen to go ‘pesticide free’.

In the meantime, the resources below give you some idea of the work that has already taken place, and alternative solutions to using pesticides.