IV.) Impacts on Nontarget Organisms

Question 1

Nontarget Organisms

Answer 1

Include all plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, and microorganisms in or near a treated that are not the intended target of a pesticide application.

Pesticides can injure non-target organisms
directly or indirectly.

Question 2

Direct poisoning

Answer 2

Harms nontarget organisms that encounter the pesticide during or directly after application.
Example: Pollinator and honey bees

Question 3

Indirect poisoning

Answer 3

Harms nontarget organisms either by destroying habitat or food sources that they depend on, thus hurting their populations.
Example: DDT and predator birds.

This includes Bioaccumulation:
Where certain pesticide compounds gradually build up within the tissues of living organisms as they go up the good chain. Eventually higher chain organisms have accumulate level of pesticide that may cause harm.

Secondary Kill: May also occur when carnivores feed on recently deceased or dying rodents that have consumed poison baits, whereby the affects pass onto the predator.

Question 4

Reducing Pesticide Impacts

• Choosing pesticides that are less toxic
• Applying at times of the day or evening when nontarget organisms are less likely to be harmed.
• Following local regulation in place that may protect nontarget pests.
• Reading the precautionary statements on the label such as “this product is toxic to fish and birds.”

Answer 4

Protection of Endangered Species

Federal and state laws are in place to protect endangered species from extinction. An endangered species is any rare or vulnerable animal or plant species that is in danger or becoming extinct. To ensure that endangered species are protected, the use of certain pesticides in areas where endangered species are known to exist may be highly restricted.