Dogs, gather around, today we are talking about the importance of having a healthy lawn. However, humans have an odd perception of what it means for a yard to be “healthy.” According to the folks at Bee City USA, “Lawns cover 40 million acres, or 2%, of land in the US, making them the single largest irrigated crop we grow.” Yet the way humans treat these lawns isn’t always environmentally friendly, or even safe. By chemically treating lawns and gardens, to make them look healthy, there are longterm consequences on honey bees and dogs! 

Unfortunately, there are multiple ways honey bees can be killed by pesticides used on lawns and gardens. One is direct contact with the chemicals while the bee is foraging for pollen. The honey bee immediately dies and does not return to the hive. Another and more deadly way is the bee comes in contact with a pesticide and inadvertently brings it back to the hive, either as contaminated pollen or on its body. Overtime this poison can build up in their food source, and cause large scale death and even the collapse of the entire honey bee colony. 

The same dangers also hold true for dogs. Dogs obviously don’t purposely collect pollen. Yet when dogs play on and roll around in a lawn treated in pesticides, or explores a garden covered in insecticides, they are picking up whatever residues remain on the grass and flowers from chemical treatments. Those chemicals on the fur and paws are then easily ingested from something as simple as a lick, or by chewing on a tennis ball that rolled through the grass. In addition, because dogs are close to the ground, they are more likely to inhale toxic fumes. 

Also just like bees can accidentally bring these toxins home, dogs can easily track these chemicals into their homes where it is ground into carpeting, on furniture, and other places that dogs like to hang out. Because pesticides break down fastest when exposed to sunlight and water, they can linger indoors for years. In fact, according to the Pesticide Education Center, indoor levels of pesticides can rise much higher than outside levels, thus increasing dogs’ exposure to these toxins. 

Now unlike honey bees, it is rare that a dog will suddenly drop dead from exposure to these chemicals. However, exposure can cause symptoms such as skin rashes, nausea and vomiting, eye irritations, and respiratory problems. In addition, numerous studies have shown a connection between cancer in dogs and the prolonged exposure to pesticides used on lawns and gardens. Studies have also shown the dangers of lawn chemicals on wildlife as well.

So you have to ask yourself, just how “healthy” is that perfect, weed-free lawn? Dandelions, clover and many other “weeds” provide important nutrients to honey bees. Also dogs don’t care if there is crabgrass where they are playing. For more information on ways you can have a healthier lawn, while helping pollinators and protecting dogs, we recommend visiting “No Mow May, Low Mow Spring,” at beecityusa.org.