By eliminating the use of harmful pesticides in your yard, you protect your environment by keeping the air, water, land, and food in the area healthy. The long-term effect of harmful pesticides is not seen right away. But over time, pesticides are known to degrade and build up in the soils and effecting the food chain in the area. Wildlife in the area can be poisoned by these pesticides, and their predators can be harmed if they eat these poisoned animals. You can help by searching for other natural alternatives to pesticides. For example, some plants if placed in your garden will naturally repel insects, such as borage, dill, garlic, onion, fennel, sage, thyme, parsley, nasturtiurn and French marigolds.