Think on This

By Sandy Long

Bugs, bees and the air we breathe

As I write this, a low-flying plane is making multiple passes around my home, the homes and forest acreage surrounding mine, parts of Shohola Creek and Lake Greeley of Pennsylvania. Though I can see the plane, I can not detect at which points it is releasing the insecticide, Carbaryl, commonly known as Sevin, into the air drifting across our community. The purchasers of this aerial application are a collection of camps, which contract for the spraying in an attempt to reduce insect populations in their acreage. The trick, of course, has to do with how one restricts an aerially applied chemical to one’s acreage.

Recently, I happened to notice a two-inch legal ad in a local newspaper, announcing that Delaware Valley Air Sprayers (DVAS), Callicoon, NY, “intends to make aerial applications of restricted use pesticides” and advising that, “Individuals dwelling on lands contiguous to an application of this pesticide may wish to be notified prior to the application of this pesticide.” I called DVAS and spoke with Linda, who promised to call when they would be spraying my neighborhood. That call came today.

The chemical fact sheet I received from DVAS states that Carbaryl “is extremely toxic to aquatic and estuarine invertebrates,” and that Carbaryl “is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops of weeds.” As for “Hazards to Humans and Domestic Animals,” The Drexel Chemical Company, manufacturers of Carbaryl, advises the following: “Avoid breathing spray mist. Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing… Do not apply this product in such a manner as to directly or through drift expose workers or other persons. The area being treated must be vacated by unprotected persons.” My neighbor and her relatives, visiting from Germany, headed out for a walk this morning in the fresh Pocono air, shortly before the plane began circling. I’m wondering how many other people living in the spray zone don’t realize that Carbaryl was aerially applied today.

Today happens to be my day off. I had planned on planting the herbs and vegetables I purchased a few days ago. But in our earlier conversation, Linda advised me to stay indoors during the spraying, and for about 10 minutes after the point when I could no longer hear the plane. I’m in no rush to possibly inhale drifting Carbaryl, so I turn to my notebook instead.

I’m thinking about my friend’s fruit trees. We depend on bees to pollinate the blossoms that become fruit and vegetables. Many years an organic grower, my friend chooses not to use chemicals in producing her own food. Organic growers don’t deny the existence of insects. We look for alternatives. Her apple, pear, cherry and peach trees, along with her abundant berry bushes and fruiting vines, all require the delicate inoculation of the bee. I refer to the fact sheet, which directs, “Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.” I am left wondering, “Who will speak for the bees, benignly buzzing at their spring rituals, making fruit and vegetables possible?”

My friend is thinking on this, too. And we are considering, “What about the lake, stream and wetland invertebrates,” to whom Carbaryl is “extremely toxic?” Perhaps the newly formed Shohola Watershed Conservancy will think on this. Citizens, officials from county organizations and camp personnel are involved in the effort to preserve our watershed. Working side by side, we have collected water samples and gathered data. With our combined knowledge and experience, perhaps we can think about alternatives to spraying Carbaryl. During our conversation, Linda pointed out that there are biological alternatives such as BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), but that “they take longer to work and most people want to see a more immediate effect.” For the sake of bees and aquatic life, and frankly, for our own well-bee-ing, pun intended, maybe we can afford to be patient.

Therein lies the real problem. We have become a society of quick fixes, characterized by our own impatience and our desire for perfection. We can do away with the annoyances of bugs and weeds with the latest chemical. In order to reduce problem vegetation in its roadside flower patches, PennDOT has taken to spraying RoundUp, Oust and Karmex along our highways as we motor past. There are abundant chemicals with which we can give ourselves bug-free camping and weed-free flower zones. No matter if we slowly poison our environment and ultimately, ourselves, or at least the generations to follow ours. When the cost of perfection is another chemical, we need to think about our environmental budget. Can we really afford it?

Our local camps are not ogres bent on poisoning the land. Most likely, they’re responding to pressure from those of use who seek the fast fix. Carbaryl is not Agent Orange. But as one more chemical entering an already overburdened environment, its impact should be considered. Linda, thanks for the warning this morning. It got me thinking.