An economic perspective on outdoor residential pesticide use

Outdoor residential pesticide use has different economic motivations than agricultural pesticide use. During the past 20 years, pesticides for nonstructural pests have been applied on residential landscapes of about 50% of all U.S. households. But the number of people who pay for professional treatments has been growing. Households that use outdoor pesticides are more likely to have yards, bigger or better-quality yards, lower pest tolerances, more pestiferous surroundings, or less concern about risks of pesticidal exposure. Professional pest control becomes more attractive as the costs of household time, equipment, or exposure increase or as the benefits of professional time, expertise, equipment, or a restricted pesticide increase. In general, households are less likely than farmers to use pesticides, read labels, and take precautions. They apply herbicides at higher rates and insecticides at lower rates than most farmers. These behavioral differences reflect differences in the objectives and degree of market orientation of pest control, the scale of operations, and regulation. Our economic perspective, together with scientific information on pest management, can be useful for creating better pest management policies to reduce adverse environmental or public-health impacts.