Protect Our Pollinators

A Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

At Tompkins Lawn Care, we take the concepts of “environmental responsibility” and “sustainability” to heart, not just as buzzwords but as guiding principles that drive our everyday actions. Many businesses use these terms in their marketing, but we believe in practicing what we preach, even when it means going the extra mile.

One crucial aspect of our commitment to sustainability is protecting our invaluable pollinators, especially the bees. Bees play a remarkable role in our world, being responsible for pollinating nearly 85% of crops directly consumed by humans. It’s a fragile and intricate relationship, with dozens of species of solitary bees having evolved to pollinate specific plants. They coexist in perfect harmony with these plants throughout their lifespans. Without these bees’ unwavering dedication to particular plant species, these plants would cease to reproduce and might even face extinction.

However, it’s no secret that bee populations, especially honeybees, have been declining worldwide. This alarming trend is due to various factors, including diseases, parasites, widespread pesticide use, and the destruction of their natural habitats and food sources. As more bee species dwindle, we stand to lose more than just their existence; we risk the extinction of certain plant species and face severe consequences in the global food chain.

While we understand that the actions of one company may not single-handedly solve this global problem, we firmly believe in taking steps to make a difference right here in our community. One significant change we are implementing throughout our service programs is the use of insecticides specifically developed to minimize their impact on bees and their vital role as pollinators.

In the realm of lawn care, insecticides are commonly used to control annual white grubs. However, our approach to lawn care focuses on integrated pest management and recognizes that a healthy and vigorous lawn is its best defense against various threats. This includes taking proactive steps to prevent grub infestations rather than treating them after they’ve already become a problem.

Preventative Grub Control is an essential part of our lawn care strategy. This treatment is specifically designed to ward off potential grub activity, using insecticides as a preventative measure. We’re committed to using the safest possible forms of insecticides for this purpose. The insecticide we employ has minimal impact on beneficial arthropods and boasts extremely low toxicity to non-target animals, including birds, fish, and, most importantly, bees.

Our grub control treatments come with the lowest application rates, and there are no re-entry restrictions following their application. We understand that our commitment to this responsibility may come at a higher price, but it’s important to recognize why we choose these practices. We believe it’s a small step in the right direction towards safeguarding the environment and supporting these vital pollinators in our ecosystem. Join us in our mission to protect our pollinators, one lawn at a time.