Determinants of Households’ Adoption of Organic Pesticides for Lawns and Gardens

Abstract

This study investigates organic pesticide adoption in residential lawn care management, incorporating determinants based on a synthesis of multiple literatures. A mail survey using the Dillman method was conducted in Missouri in 2014 with a random sample of 2000 single-family households (44.1% effective response rate). The data indicate an adoption rate of 17.7% for organic pesticides. This unique dataset also allows us to differentiate distinct non-adopters by familiarity with the practice as well as non-use of any pesticides. Multinomial logit regressions find environmental concerns, awareness of neighbor’s opinions, and gardening behaviors as significant determinants. The effects on relative probability of being an adopter are large: 18 times more likely for people with serious environmental concerns or 5 times more likely for those spending more than 15 hours per month on lawn care.