The many beneficial insects that are killed or poisoned inadvertently as a result of crops in their vicinity being sprayed with pesticides are often eaten by other animals who themselves can become ill or die as a result of indirectly consuming the pesticide. In this way pesticides transfer up the food chain. Pesticides can also kill vital soil microorganisms. Steps are being taken to try to reduce the use of harmful pesticides, but it's not yet known how effective these will be.