PESTICIDES AND POLLINATOR HEALTH

Pollinators and pesticides

In residential settings, pesticides are typically used to keep a very green lawn. These toxic chemicals are intended to keep ‘pests’ away from the perfectly manicured grass. While this may be successful in killing the intended pests and maintaining the greenness of the lawn, pollinator health is sacrificed in the process. Pollinators are not only bugs, but also birds and other small animals. Pollinators can both be inadvertently killed by synthetic pesticides and experience health issues that affect their reproduction and their ability to spread pollen between plants. 

Importance of pollinators

Many people recognize the importance of bees but overlook the other bugs that are crucial in ecosystems. Beetles and spiders are not the only ones overlooked. Birds and squirrels are pollinators who rely on bugs for their diet. All of these organisms carry pollen on their body and spread it around from one plant to another, or pick up and spread seeds. This act is crucial in the reproductive process of plants which provide us with beautiful flowers, fruits, and veggies. If all these crucial bugs and animals died, the world as we know it would completely change! Without pollinators, we would rely on pollination from the wind and people/robots. This would significantly diminish the amount of fresh produce in the world. Blueberries and cherries are almost exclusively pollinated by honeybees. Not just food, but flowers and gardens would be impossible in this situation. 

Bees and bugs

Bees are specifically in danger because of their habitats. Since 1962, the number of bee colonies has decreased by 90%. If a bee brings a pesticide into the hive, the hive is immediately weakened. The hive is as strong as the sum of its parts and with one bee bringing a pesticide into the hive, the rest of them are subsequently poisoned and weakened. Bees that have been exposed to pesticides can have issues like difficulty learning and foraging, reduced immune response, and reduced life span. They are no longer able to protect themselves from predators and their reproduction can be completely halted. 

Other bugs like spiders and beetles, which eat the harmful insects on plants, are similarly impacted by the use of pesticides. They can be killed by application, but often their populations are reduced because of the removal of plant hosts, pollen, nectar, shelter, and their winter sites.

Birds and squirrels 

Birds are affected by pesticides in a similar way to bugs. Their habitats and food supplies are affected by the destruction of plantlife. This creates the problem of having difficulty feeding their young. Additionally, birds can be exposed very easily by interacting with greenery that has been sprayed. Birds are also exposed by eating bugs that have pesticide residues on them. This is troublesome because many chemicals commonly found in pesticides take a long time to break down leading to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals in birds. This information is extremely troubling, but only gets more disconcerting when you hear that 10% of the 672 million birds exposed annually die - meaning that every year 67 million birds die from exposure to pesticides. While the effects of pesticides on birds are much more heavily researched, all small pollinating animals like squirrels and rabbits are at risk of being exposed to greenery that has been sprayed with pesticides and facing impacts similar to birds. Further, animals like squirrels that eat birds and other small animals/bugs can be exposed through bioaccumulation. Even rabbits are exposed to pesticides through the consumption of greenery that has been sprayed with pesticides.

What Can You Do

As an individual, you have the power to spread the word! Let people know about the alarming number of bees, birds, and other small animals that die every year for the sake of a green lawn. Additionally, not using pesticides in your land care creates a safe haven for pollinators. Implementing a more organic lifestyle will also prevent you from being exposed to pesticides while supporting farmers who also value the lives of pollinators.