Common Weed Killer Impacts Wildlife

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There's more destruction among wildlife than just the effects of Atrazine and other chemicals. There's an entire domino effect that runs throughout the food chain.
Just wait until someone's beloved pet falls ill after nabbing some completely chemical addled smaller prey animal that's wandered near the home, especially in rural areas.
It's not just environmental paranoia, but a real threat to domestic animals as well.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 12:20AM November 26, 2009

They love eating weeds and grasses.
Every Spring, I am absolutely amazed at how quickly anything weedy is the first eaten by the local backyard cottontail bunnies. They absolutely love clover and dandelions, as well as other types of grasses and weeds.
Using chemicals on the lawn can harm such local wildlife, so going without it in residential areas has the added benefit of attracting (rather than making sick) some very cute wildlife critters.
There's lots on the web about organic solutions to harsh chemical use, and as mentioned before, the bunnies will happily help nibble away your weeds if they can thrive in a more healthy, chemical-free backyard habitat.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 12:16AM November 26, 2009

I also wondered what USF is? I am automatically skeptical when such fundamental information is missing.
The title assistant professor indicates someone beginning in their career; a post-doctoral has finished their degree but is still at university level.
In the first paragraph the work is called an "analysis" of other studies; in the second paragraph it is described as a "study". I suspect that this analysis has more to do with statistics than it does with objective scientific process.

Terry of PA 8:24AM November 21, 2009

I also wondered what USF is? I am automatically skeptical when such fundamental information is missing.
The title assistant professor indicates someone beginning in their career; a post-doctoral has finished their degree but is still at university level.
In the first paragraph the work is called an "analysis" of other studies; in the second paragraph it is described as a "study". I suspect that this analysis has more to do with statistics than it does with objective scientific process.

Terry of PA 4:56PM November 20, 2009

we'll just have to go back to spraying diesel and old motor oil on weeds ... or we can all pay more for food, and watch those who can't afford "organic veggies" starve to death.
I just the Environmentalist Religion - they are so dogmatic and intolerant they rather see people die than use DDT or effective herbicides. That Nature Goddess is sooo demanding.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 9:07PM October 17, 2009

George - you could not be more mistaken. Atrazine is the most widely used pre-emergent herbicide in the U.S. Although farmers are usually very careful to control water contamination with this chemical, the use by the homeowner as a weed & feed product should scare us all. Why do we even allow it's use by persons that are unliscenced?

C Peters of FL 2:24PM October 04, 2009

I can't think of a current residential grade of weed killer that uses atrazine anymore. For example, Ortho's Round-up, Weed-Be-Gone or any other Ortho residential brush or weed killer do not contain atrazine. Also the article never states what USF is. I presume it is the University of Southern Florida. Note USF also stands for the University of San Francisco. This is not a particularly well written article. It reads more like an environmental scare story. I am all for careful use of all chemicals in the environment, but I don't like scary stories for the sole purpose of putting some researcher's name in print.

George of CA 8:05PM October 01, 2009