Myth: All Bees Sting

Buzz-kill: Afraid Bees Are Out to Sting You? It’s criminal—every day, in yards, picnic areas, and outdoor cafes across the country, scary bees stalk unsuspecting humans, slap-happy with sting power and thirsty for blood. Or…at least that’s how lots of people think of bees. Who among us has not frozen in cartoonish fear at the … Read more

Myth: Hold Your Nose — Composting Stinks!

“Hold Your Nose!”—Said No Real-Life Composter We Talked To, Ever Every nose has its own unique point of view, er, smell—but all are likely to turn themselves up at the smell of rotting trash. Why then would we assault our nasal passages by composting, aka, piling up a bunch of food and plant waste with … Read more

plant/garden science + tips

In or out of the garden, plants rule. They give us all food, clean air, intrigue, shelter, medicine, and more—all while looking good (or at least interesting…) on top of it. Find out why by entering the wide and wonderful world of EcoMyths-approved plant science… seed science + tips hot seed science Making the Case … Read more

humans and nature science + tips

Planet Earth is a pretty sweet spot to call home. More than any single building could ever hold, this great big green world has nurtured humankind’s earliest memories, our greatest leaps forward, and our most awkward/endearing moments…so yeah, most people have some deep feelings, spoken or not, about our shared casa. Behold, scientific research that … Read more

health/food science + tips

  Yes, you can…take a deeper dive deeper into the science behind healthy school lunches, herbal remedies, and more! physical health science + tips hot herbal remedies science Yes, medicine DOES grow on trees (and other plants)! Risks and Benefits of Commonly Used Herbal Medicines in Mexico, L. Rodriguez-Fragoso, et. al., Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2008 … Read more

Myth: Treat It to Beat It (Water Pollution, That Is)

Nutrients Gone Wild Worried about dipping your toe in your local swimming hole? Or even drinking your tap water? Join the club. Nitrogen and phosphorus overload is fouling up lakes, rivers, and streams across the country, creating plumes of pollution that are far more sinister than their deceptively benign algal blooms moniker. These nutrient-rich blooms … Read more

Worldview: Animals Speak With Accents, Too!

Animal communication has been observed and documented for centuries, but we’ve only scratched the surface of understanding this complex world of grunts, barks, and howls. Listen in as Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of Animal Programs at Brookfield Zoo dishes on the noisy world of animal talk—and how deciphering their languages can aid in conservation … Read more