seem like filling in a small number of
wetlands would be a problem, until a lot
of people do it. Overall, there has been
a general disregard for protecting native
habitat, which has led to a dramatic loss
in insect populations.
Other significant contributors to the
demise of insects include the overuse
of toxic insecticides to control crops,
which have eradicated nearby insect-
loving milkweed, wildflowers, and
weeds. Environmentalists blame the
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) for granting emergency approval
of insecticides, allowing them to bypass
the traditional testing process.
Other threats for insects include
wildfires, climate change, nitrification
due to the use of fossil fuel, and light
pollution. Finally, many homeowners are
unknowingly removing native plants that
support insects, birds, and other wildlife,
replacing them with expansive lawns, a
hostile, unfruitful environment for insects
and other wildlife. Studies are showing
how vital habitat friendly plantings are in
our yards, urban, suburban, and rural.
What can we do?
As you can see, the drastic increase in
the insect apocalypse is primarily due to
human activity. There are things that we
can do now to reverse this emergency.
• • Use natural and organic fertilizers
instead of synthetic chemicals.
• • Support initiatives to protect and
reestablish native habitat corridors,
habitat stepping stones, for local and
migrating insects.
• • Have farmers reserve portions of land
with local native habitat.
• • Time the mowing or plowing of fields
around the local two-week monarch
butterfly migration.
• • Use local native plants and limit turf
areas in landscaping.
• • Avoid mowing turf too short. Fireflies
prefer higher grasses.
• • Plant local native milkweed and
wildflowers for butterflies.
54
70 percent of Kiawah property owners have earned the Naturally Kiawah Habitat
Award for maintaining wildlife-friendly native habitat in landscaping.
Naturally Kiawah