What’s a Pollinator to Do?

What’s a pollinator to do when toxic pesticides are used in their living area?   That’s a question we are deeply concerned about in Media, PA.  We are a Bee City and a Bird Town, so we care very much about biodiversity.

A thriving biodiversity is required for healthy ecosystems.  Why are ecosystems important?  They regulate climate.  How do we increase biodiversity?  By using native plants and not chopping down healthy trees.  That’s why our Transition Town Greater Media Biodiversity Group is busy educating people in our community about adding native plants and trees to their gardens. 

Our project was going well until we discovered that mosquito spray drift from neighboring properties was killing all the pollinators our native plants attracted. Mosquito spray companies say their product is not harmful, but according to Beyond Pesticides, a Washington, DC organization, anything that kills adult mosquitoes will also kill beneficial insects. 

Here’s the truth: According to Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware entomology professor, mosquito spraying kills only 10% of adult mosquitoes, but is lethal to pollinators, native bees, other beneficial insects, and aquatic life.  Toxic chemicals used by mosquito spray companies are also harmful to pets and humans.  Permethrin and other commonly used synthetic chemicals used by mosquito spray companies is an endocrine disruptor.  There is a better way than toxic pesticides to manage mosquitoes.  Try the better way.

Our experiences with mosquito spraying

I was caught in mosquito spray drift when I was walking down the street in my neighborhood.  The sprayer let loose before I could get away.  One of my friends had mosquito spray drift come into her car when she was driving down the street.  Another friend had mosquito spray drift kill all the pollinators on her property. Her tongue swelled up from the drift when two of her neighbors used mosquito spray companies.  A crossing guard and school children were caught in spray drift as they were walking to school.  And yet another person ended up in the emergency room because mosquito spray drift came into her open window and coated her dinner. Two people I know told me their properties were sprayed “by mistake”.  Both had native plant gardens. 

What you can do

• Urge your local legislators to educate your community about toxic pesticides.
• Talk to your state legislators about protecting nature and people from toxic pesticides.
• Join the campaign for Rights of Nature law.
• Talk to your neighbors, friends and relatives about pesticides.
• Place signs in your yard.
• Do not use pesticides on your property.
• If a mosquito spray company comes to your door, just say no.

Take action now to stop pesticide use.  Let’s enjoy a future that does not include pesticide use.