Photo by Nicolas Veithen from Pexels — Photo by **Nicolas Veithen** from **Pexels**

Whether you're a farmer or a gardener who enjoys growing fruits and vegetables, you have one thing in common - pests. Unfortunately, bugs and insects are hungry and will gladly eat through crops if left to their devices. As a result, people tend to turn to pesticides to ensure their plants grow unperturbed.

It's a difficult position to be in. On the one hand, you don't like to see your hard effort destroyed by slugs, snails, and ladybugs. On the other, they are persistent. Therefore, it's not uncommon for farmers and gardeners to be split by the use of chemicals.

For the most part, it's a bad move, and it's not only because you feel bad about using such robust measures. Pesticides can have wide-ranging and long-term side-effects that you want to swerve at all costs. Continue reading to find out what they are and the potential consequences.

Legal Action

Yes, people take legal action if they are subject to chemicals and can prove that they negatively affect their lifestyle. The official name is a toxic tort, and there are thousands of them that go through the courts yearly, resulting in many millions of dollars in punitive damages awarded.

While there are other avenues for toxicity exposure, including pharmaceuticals and home exposure, one of the main problems is the food people eat. Why? It's because farmers can dose their crops and plants in chemicals passed into the bloodstream when consumed. The statute of limitations may last for years, depending on the state, so you may be vulnerable.

Of course, legal action isn't synonymous with people who grow fruits and vegetables organically. After all, using partner plants to ward off pests, such as garlic and rose bushes, or erecting a scarecrow, won't affect the integrity of the products you sell.

The Taste

Not only are there health implications to using pesticides, but there are taste connotations too. The latter may not appear as dangerous as the former, and it isn't from a health perspective, but you can't underestimate the impact it has on your reputation. If the goods you sell aren't high-quality, people won't continue to make orders.

Once this happens, the entire business plan is in jeopardy as your success is dependent on generating leads and encouraging customers to convert their interest into sales. Please don't dismiss the power of word of mouth advertising either. As soon as people with contacts begin to tell their friends and acquaintances about their bad experience, your standing in the industry will change.

Organic food retains its natural flavor since it's fresh. It's the chemicals that affect the taste, which is another reason to go the extra mile and avoid the temptation to spray plants with chemicals.

Consumerism Morality

In the past, customers didn't care where their products came from or how they reached their homes. As long as the price was low and the quality high, they were happy. However, the world has changed a lot since the 80s, 90s, and even the early 2000s. In the 21st-century, consumers want goods and services that match their principles.

If they don't get them, they happily bounce to a competitor. And, there are plenty of them thanks to the internet as it's easier than ever to launch a startup since the costs are lower. As a result, particularly in the hospitality and fresh produce sectors, businesses must be careful about growing and sourcing the stuff they sell.

The U.S. sustainability market is projected to reach $150 billion in sales by 2021, which only highlights the popularity of the sector.

Photo by Tom Fisk from Pexels — Photo by **Tom Fisk** from **Pexels**

The Equipment

An element of spreading pesticides to ward off bugs that you may not consider is the equipment's cost. Yes, casual gardeners don't have to worry as they can maintain their plants with a small bottle of spray. Of course, anybody who grows fruits and vegetables to sell is bound to have a bigger operation.

Here's a stat you may not be familiar with - mechanization can account for 25% of operating costs, depending on your type of farming. Therefore, as soon as you scale your operations, you'll have to deal with a limited budget and bigger maintenance fees. Opting to use pesticides only adds to your expenses, which could force your operation's business aspect to fail.

As always, it's essential to factor in the financial aspect by weighing up the pros and cons.

Using pesticides is a sustainability issue, yet there are tons of other factors to consider. What's your stance?