Survey Finds Irish Schools Turning Away From Pesticide Use As Pollinator-Friendly Spaces Grow

A nationwide survey of schools across Ireland has found that an increasing number no longer want pesticides used on school grounds, with almost half banning the use of pesticides.

Key drivers for this ban include a concern for the health of students and staff on ground schools and a strong desire to protect the biodiversity which live and use the school outdoor environment.

A survey on the use of pesticides on school grounds carried out by Biodiversity in Schools and responded to by 158 schools found that 49.4% of respondents reported avoiding pesticides entirely, while many others said they were actively reassessing spraying practices and exploring alternative methods of weed and grounds management.

At the same time, some schools acknowledged that moving away from pesticides can create tensions within school communities, particularly where there are differing views around maintenance or concerns around additional workloads. Several respondents noted that clearer national guidance from the Department of Education and stronger top-down support for pollinator-friendly management practices would help schools transition more confidently away from spraying.

The findings come as Ireland marks World Bee Day 2026 on 20 May, a day celebrated globally which aims to raise awareness about the critical role bees and other pollinators play in sustaining ecosystems, ensuring food security, and protecting biodiversity.

The survey was carried out as part of the Pollinator Project, a nationwide initiative delivered by Biodiversity in Schools in partnership with fibre broadband operator SIRO. The online survey sought to better understand current spraying practices and attitudes towards pesticide-free school management across Ireland.

Schools that reported avoiding pesticides pointed to a wide range of alternative approaches already being used successfully. Of the schools that said they do not use pesticides, 44% referenced manual methods such as hand-weeding, strimming, power washing and moss removal as their primary approach to grounds management. A further 15 % highlighted the use of organic solutions, including vinegar, garlic, bread soda and coffee grounds, while 22% pointed to longer-term preventative measures such as companion planting, bark mulch, weed membrane, strategic plant selection and low-maintenance garden layouts designed to naturally reduce weed growth. The remaining respondents reported avoiding pesticides altogether but did not specify the methods used.

Many respondents also highlighted the important role school caretakers, gardening clubs and wider school communities play in helping drive biodiversity-friendly change. Schools noted that committed caretakers were often central to successfully reducing or eliminating sprays, particularly where additional maintenance or alternative approaches were required.

Additionally, a strong theme to emerge from the survey results was the work underway by school leaders to change people’s mindsets and attitudes towards weeds or wildflowers to view them as something positive and beneficial vs. a nuisance.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), pesticides are a major source of environmental pollution, contaminating soil, water and air while contributing to biodiversity loss.

The Pollinator Project, which is sponsored by leading Irish broadband operator SIRO, supports schools across Ireland in creating pollinator-friendly habitats through actions such as developing no-mow meadows, planting pollinator-friendly flowers and encouraging biodiversity education within school communities.

Biodiversity in Schools CEO, Mark Nolan commented:

“These findings are positive in that they show that almost half of schools surveyed have moved away from using pesticides. However, with a considerable number still using these pesticides, it highlights the work needed to remove these chemicals entirely from all Irish school grounds.

This survey also highlights the additional measures that needed to make our school environment pesticide free. These include greater awareness amongst school management and parent associations of the risk’s pesticides pose to humans and nature; greater information amongst school decisionmakers on what the biodiversity friendly alternatives to pesticides are and finally, more advice and practical supports from Government Departments to schools on how to become pesticide free.”

SIRO Director of Corporate Affairs, Amanda Glancy noted:

“SIRO is pleased to support the ongoing work of Biodiversity in Schools in protecting and enhancing the natural environment in and around Irish schools. With both World Bee Day and it also being National Biodiversity Week taking stock of attitudes towards pesticides is important.

The survey shows many schools are conscious of the importance of protecting biodiversity and more encouragingly taking positive actions to achieve it. The message from the survey is clear. A lot of schools are working to eliminate pesticides in school grounds, and many others want to do so but need the confidence, advice and encouragement from stakeholders to do so.”