Dilemma of A Perfect Lawn

The environment is just one of the influences of humans. Bandura (1986) devised a theory that explains a triadic reciprocal or cause between humans and environment that is influenced by our own behavior. (PSU WC L4, 2018) For example, a neighbor of mine has a lawn that looks pristine and lush.  The lawn looks amazing but I feel it comes with a price for our environment.  The owners use a spray on their lawn that seems to have some toxic chemicals.  The reason I believe this is, I see them wearing a mask to cover their mouth and nose when they are spraying their lawn and gardens.  This spray is being used not only on his lawn but can travel beyond as it escapes through the air and wind as it traveling up and spreads beyond and may settle in our local water system, and other lawns that may not want all those chemicals on their own lawn.

Just by this one toxic spray can have about “about 30 commonly used chemicals in this product that people can use to treat their lawns that are not good for the environment.   Out of those 30 commonly used chemicals, there are about 19 different chemicals detected in groundwater, 20 have the ability to leach into drinking water sources, 30 are toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms vital to our ecosystem, 29 are toxic to bees, 14 are toxic to mammals, and 22 are toxic to birds”. (Beyond Pesticides, 2018) Those streams deer, coyote’s, fisher cats and wild animals drink from being affected.

A big factor with a perfect lawn and chemicals that are used to treat these lawns is also affecting the bee population.  A bee’s job is to pollinate plants, flowers, and gardens but is dying because of the chemicals that are in some of these sprays that we as humans are spraying on our gardens and lawns to keep certain bugs or weeds away.  Because bees are dying there are consequences that are affecting our environment and food supply.  Beekeepers are reporting that they are losing about 30% of there honeybee’s that are pollinating only 71 out of the 100 crops that provide 90% of most of the world’s food.  (Grozinger, 2018)

As I mentioned, just by one lawn owner spraying a toxic spray can have so much negative and harmful effect on our environment.  But, if you become an informed consumer and knowledgeable on what to use for products without all the harsh chemicals, your lawn can look the way you want it to.  Some of the chemicals to avoid are products with Clothianidin, Thiamethoxam, Acetamiprid, and Dinotefuran are a few toxic chemicals to stay away from.   Staying away from these kinds of toxic chemicals will not only help the bee population, but also our environment, water system, keep our own pets safe, food supply, and ecosystem, just by making a few different choices and not using certain chemicals.

 

References:

Beyond Pesticides, (2018) Lawn Factor Sheets: Hazards of Chemical Lawn Care: [online] Retrieved September 15, 2018, from https://beyondpesticides.org/programs/lawns-and-landscapes/overview/hazards-and-alternatives

Environment Massachusetts, (Last updated 2/28/2017) Go Bee Friendly. [online] Retrieved September 15, 2018, from   https://environmentmassachusetts.org/programs/mae/no-bees-no-food

Grozinger, Christina Pennsylvania State University, (2018) Center for Pollinator Research. The Pollinator Research Center: More Than Just a Place: [online] Retrieved September 15, 2018, from https://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/publications/the-center-for-pollinator-research-at-penn-state

Pennsylvania State University, World Campus. (2018). PSCH424 Applied Social  Psychology. Lesson 4: The Environment: [online lecture notes] Retrieved September 12, 2018, from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1942493/modules/items/25002492

1 comment

  1. After reading your post I drove around my neighborhood and tried to focus on the differences in lawns and any lawn maintenance workers. I saw one truck who advertised healthy lawns that was spraying a substance from the truck and had his head covered. While this house didn’t seemingly have any greener grass than the other houses on the street it did look thicker. I noticed the men who were spraying for pests were also wearing masks so that made me think about the toxins in those sprays as well. Even if they say they are safe for the environment and other animals, how would we know for sure? Especially if the men who are spraying them are wearing masks themselves!

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