We have an area of our City that is called the ‘Granola Belt’ – the place where the ‘hippies’, vegetarian restaurants, and alternative bookshop began in the 1960s. It is a beautiful area with trees more than a hundred years old where people continue to be concerned about the environment. It is an area of our City where people have banded together to tell the City there will be no spraying!
Two things triggered this blog. The first was a posting in our area on line newsletter asking when our City would be spraying for tent caterpillars. The second was at the house next door where someone, paid to put down mesh and then mulch, was spraying to ‘kill’ all the weeds – on a windy day right by our bird feeders!
This morning the Audubon Society of Rhode Island had a posting on FaceBook to remind everyone that every pesticide is designed to kill. While there are some that are specifically targeted for moths and butterflies, in general, all pesticides are very broad. Please do not think that ‘green’ chemicals are safe. They may be derived from natural sources or say they biodegrade quickly but they are remain “highly toxic to you and other organisms”. None of us live in a vacuum, we are all connected and killing one thing impacts everything. Please think before you use the chemicals to make your lawn greener or to get rid of the caterpillars on the tree. Educate yourself, your friends, and your neighbours.
All of the bugs, butterflies, bees, and birds will thank you.
Featured image of dead song birds credited to Rhode Island Audubon on their FB Page.
