Consumers cannot assume that a product is environmentally friendly just because it is organic. A new study shows that some organic pesticides can have a higher environmental impact than conventional pesticides.
Researchers compared the effectiveness and environmental impact of organic pesticides to those of conventional and reduced-risk synthetic products on soybean crops.
An organic mineral oil-based product was among the less effective ones, as it killed ladybugs and flower bugs, which are important regulators of aphid population and growth.
According to Science Daily:
"These predator insects reduce environmental impact because they naturally protect the crop, reducing the amount of pesticides that are needed."