Donal Hickey: Consider pesticide alternatives — especially close to drinking water sources

48 pesticide exceedances detected in public drinking water supplies as part of Uisce Éireann’s public water supply monitoring programme, from a total of more than 35,000 samples

Leaving areas unsprayed can help native flowering plant species to grow and support a range of insects including bees and other vital pollinators. One-third of Ireland’s bee species are threatened with extinction and by helping the bee population survive and thrive we are also helping to protect our precious water sources

At a time when people with gardens of all sizes are busy, an appeal has been issued for care to be taken in the use of pesticides, especially close to drinking water sources.

Farmers, forestry developers, grounds keepers, and greenkeepers, who use pesticides on a much bigger scale than domestic users, are also, of course, included in the plea.