On page 10 of the Examiner's Aug. 24 edition was a letter from Michele S. Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Far Hills. I understand it was written as a letter to the editor; however, the importance of the message should have been front-page news. It would be very informative for people to re-read the article in understanding this is a serious problem which can, with the correct knowledge and action, cease to exist. Residents who use pesticides on their property either do not understand the harm they are inflicting on themselves, children and animals, or they blatantly don't give a hoot about the damage they do to a fragile environment.

This spring, we were inundated with bag worms and had to engage a company to spray. After learning about BT, a naturally occurring organic spray, we decided to use this process. We were told that it wouldn't work as well as the pesticide. After two applications, our trees are healthy again with no new signs of bag worms.

My request is that everyone researches the alternatives to pesticide use, and their towns become active in securing safe pesticide-free zones for your children.

I called New Jersey's Environmental Federation's Jane Nogaki at (856) 767-1110, and suggest that people take the same action to improve our parks, homes and communities.

Carole Genatt

Englishtown