Birds and lawn chemicals

I received a birdhouse as a Christmas present.  Tucked inside the birdhouse was information on how to install the birdhouse and how to attract birds.  The information was prepared by Stephen Kress, who is associated with the Audubon Society.  One of the paragraphs talks about lawn and garden pesticides.  Many cavity-nesting birds are primarily insect-eaters and are vulnerable to poisoning from pesticides.  Per this information source, lawn chemicals can kill backyard birds.  In addition, some of the chemicals from the lawn may be washed off into nearby water sources, affecting wildlife in these areas.  One way you can help birds in your neighborhood is to minimize or eliminate the use of chemical pesticides in your yard.  Many insects are beneficial, providing food for other critters and pollinating flowering plants, which is another reason to avoid wide use of chemical pesticides.  Birds will also help reduce the insect population.  Research non-chemical methods of repelling undesirable insects.  One source is website information on Integrated Pest Management, which addresses many kinds of pests in homes, apartments, yards, and fields.  Here is one example of a website with information on alternatives to chemical pesticides.  If you choose biological controls, check multiple sources associated with your geographic area to make sure you are not introducing a more harmful pest. 
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http://ipm.ucanr.edu/GENERAL/pesticides_alternatives.html