Where have all the insects gone?

Re:Where have all the insects gone? by perseusprime11 on Friday May 12, 2017 @09:51AM (#14323930)

Lawns, in general, are not environment-friendly because of the need to use fuel to cut it and for spraying chemicals to keep the weeds and mosquitoes out. I lost the battle with my HOA to completely take the lawn out and instead just plant some useful trees. People don't realize how much money they spend on a 30 year basis to keep the lawns healthy.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by tcfunk on Friday May 12, 2017 @10:32AM (#14324231)

I don't understand why more people don't use push reel lawnmowers. I've used one ever since I stopped living in apartments, and they are not that difficult to use. They are lighter-weight than their gas-powered cousins, and you don't have to fill it up with gas every damn time you mow. Also it doesn't make 9000dB of noise.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by hasbot on Friday May 12, 2017 @11:18AM (#14324732)

Push reel lawnmowers perform poorly unless the grass is completely dry. If the grass is damp, the mower doesn't get enough traction and slides. So, here in the PNW, I switched to a corded electric mower and now I'm not so restricted on when I can mow.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by jackhack on Friday May 12, 2017 @11:17AM (#14324717)

same here. Switched to a modern reel mower* and my poor thin lawn has benefited. it cuts like scissors, not like an axe, and it's both small and nearly silent so mowing the lawn isn't as stressful as before, what with fumes and noise. Not saying I love mowing the lawn (it's still work, after all), but it's a very different more pleasant experience compared to a gas mower, and just as quick.

*http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Ree...

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by AlexandrB on Friday May 12, 2017 @10:45AM (#14324355)

I use electric. Has most of the advantages of a push mower with the added benefit of easier cutting. Just have to watch for the cord.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by hasbot on Friday May 12, 2017 @11:22AM (#14324772)

The cordless mowers appear to be getting better and better. With my new yard full of beds, trees, and other obstacles, half the mowing time is time managing the cord. So, I'm buying a Ryobi battery operated 21" lawnmower.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by TimJYoung on Friday May 12, 2017 @10:52AM (#14324427)

Same here. It's great - I never go to get the mower out, only to find that it's out of gas. Plus, it's a bit quieter.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by Arizhel on Friday May 12, 2017 @01:35PM (#14325974)

Depends on the size of your lawn. If you have a little postage-stamp lawn, reel mowers are great. If you have a sizeable lawn (the kind you really need a riding mower for), then you're looking at hours and hours of backbreaking work every week.

The big problem with reel mowers is that they only work well when the grass is already short. If the grass grows too tall (which isn't that much), the mower just pushes the grass over, or gets bogged down in it. So you have to be absolutely religious in cutting the grass on time. I've used reel mowers at a couple of houses I've lived in; they were great when the grass area of the yard was tiny and the grass didn't grow too quickly. But where I am now, there's just no way.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by fivestar on Friday May 12, 2017 @10:37AM (#14324280)

Because my entire summer of mowing can be done for 5 gallons of gasoline.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by jessaustin on Friday May 12, 2017 @11:18AM (#14324741)

This doesn't really contradict the idea that for you to own and maintain a gasoline mower is a tremendous waste...

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by mvindahl on Friday May 12, 2017 @06:10PM (#14328321)

Agreed. Also, apart from mowing, a lawn can really be as easy or hard to maintain as you choose. Mine it kinda bumpy, has several patches of moss and has plenty of dandelions; I don't think "fixing" these problems will ever become enough of a priority to get it done. And of course, I'd never use chemicals of any kind for the lawn.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by slashink on Friday May 12, 2017 @10:01AM (#14323996)

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/robotic-lawn-mowers/

Got one of this for my lawn about 8 years ago and it was probably the best investment i've made for the lawn. Not only does it remove the maintenance but it also keeps the grass cut to a certain length, drying out the weeds and fertilising the grass with the smaller cut off parts. On top of that it's electric.

I agree, trees would be better but in your situation i can only recommend it.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, mine been running for 8 years with only 1 battery replacement and the occasional razor blade replacement. The climate where i live is really rainy and it has survived so far.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by perseusprime11 on Friday May 12, 2017 @12:19PM (#14325299)

How much is this thing?

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by slashink on Saturday May 13, 2017 @05:08AM (#14330087)

Nowadays they start at around $1300 for 10000 square feet and goes upward in price the larger lawn you have. But with that price you also never have to attend your lawn again.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by amnesiac_200 on Saturday May 13, 2017 @05:23AM (#14330109)

I get loads of flies, wasps, bees, spiders, butterflies, snails and slugs; in my back 'garden' every year. The garden is badly maintained; located in a town in highly polluted south east England; it features long grass; random weeds; stinging nettles; and brambles; this green stuff just grows and I occasionally hack it down again. There is no way a lawn mower would even work; I use a scythe.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by accountyaccount on Friday May 12, 2017 @10:01AM (#14324000)

>the need to use fuel to cut it and for spraying chemicals

you can manually do both of these things though

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by Retric on Friday May 12, 2017 @10:24AM (#14324166)

It still takes fuel to make those spraying chemicals and get them to you.

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Re:Where have all the insects gone? by accountyaccount on Friday May 12, 2017 @01:38PM (#14326015)

No no no, I'm saying just pull out weeds like people have been doing for thousands of years.

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