Do You Need to Pick Up Dog Poop Before Mowing the Lawn?
The sun is shining, the grass is growing, and it’s finally time to mow the lawn. You drag the lawnmower out of the garage, eager to tame your unruly grass. But then it hits you – the yard is littered with landmines in the form of dog poop. What do you do? Do you forge ahead, mowing over that stinky mess? Or take the time to clean things up first?
As tempting as it might be to skip poop patrol, running over all those turds is a bad idea. Sure, it may seem quicker in the moment. But it can create some nasty problems that just aren’t worth it. Trust me, I learned this the hard way!
Poop particles will get flung all around by the mower blades, spreading germs across your whole yard. Your lawn will end up covered in bacteria, parasites, and gross fecal matter. Not exactly what you want kids and pets playing on!
Plus, it stinks – literally. Mowing over poop sends an unpleasant odor wafting through the air. It’s enough to make you gag, turn off the mower, and walk away defeated.
And if that isn’t bad enough, it can leave streaks and smears all over your clean grass. Dog bombs definitely aren’t an ideal fertilizer, either.
Save yourself the headaches and take a quick poop patrol first. Armed with a bag or scooper, scan the area and clean things up. It only takes a few minutes to prevent a huge mess.
Once the yard is primed, you can mow and relax knowing your lawn looks pristine. Do yourself a favor – always pick up the poop before you mow! Your nose, family, and grass will thank you.
Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty details…
Dangers of Mowing Over Poop
Running your lawnmower over dog feces can create some nasty issues:
Spreads Germs and Parasites
Dog poop contains tons of bacteria, viruses, worms, and other critters you don’t want spread around. As the mower blades whirl, they essentially slingshot these pathogens across your whole yard. Not ideal if kids and pets play there!
Creates an Unpleasant Odor
That fresh cut grass smell? Forget about it. Mowing over poop releases an ungodly stink into the air that makes you want to hurl. Not the backyard aroma you envisioned.
Leaves Smears and Streaks
Ever tried cleaning dried poop off a concrete floor? Not fun. That stuff stubbornly clings on, leaving nasty streaks when you try removing it. Smears in your grass are just as hard to clean.
Can Harm Your Lawn
Contrary to popular belief, dog feces does NOT fertilize the lawn. It can actually damage grass when left to sit. The high nitrogen and salt content burns and discolors the blades.
Attracts More Poop
Leaving poop out signals to your dog that this is an acceptable potty spot. They’ll return to the scene of the crime again and again if you don’t clean up.
Clearly, mowing over all that doo doo is less than ideal. But is taking the time to pick it up really that important? Short answer – YES!
Health Risks of Dog Poop
Dog waste might just seem like a smelly nuisance. But it can actually pose some health hazards when left in the yard:
Roundworms
Nearly all puppies have roundworms, which can deposit thousands of eggs in their poop. These larvae stick around in the soil for YEARS waiting to be ingested. No thank you!
E. coli
This common bacteria in dog intestines can lead to diarrhea and kidney issues if transmitted to humans. Not a gamble you want to take with your family.
Giardia
One of the most widespread intestinal parasites in pooches. It spreads quickly and causes violent diarrhea. Pick up that poop pronto!
Toxocariasis
Roundworm larvae can spread to humans, causing fever, cough, rashes, and vision loss. Kids are at high risk from ingesting eggs by playing outside.
Campylobacteriosis
The most common cause of diarrhea in humans thanks to this bacteria in dog intestines. It only takes ingesting a small amount to develop an infection.
Clearly, dog poop needs to be picked up promptly before bacteria and parasites can spread. But what’s the best way to clean it up? Let’s go over some options.
5 Ways to Pick Up Dog Poop
Being prepared with the right tools makes cleaning up dog bombs a breeze:
1. Plastic Bags
The cheapest and most convenient option. Keep bags with you on walks or stash by the door. Tie knots tightly so nothing leaks out.
2. Pooper Scoopers
These handy tools allow you to quickly scoop and dispose of poop without bending over. No need to touch or handle it.
3. Dedicated Trash Can
Have a small bin just for poop bags. This contains any smells and keeps your main garbage poop-free.
4. Waste Bag Dispensers
Mount these to the wall or fence so bags are always at the ready. No more forgetting and ending up empty handed.
5. Compostable Bags
Better for the planet since they break down completely when finished. Just check locally if these can go in your yard waste bin first.
Tip: Always have backup bags or a scooper ready in case of back-to-back bombs. You’ll be prepared for rapid cleanup!
When to Pick Up Poop
Timing matters when it comes to poop patrol. Here is when you should pounce:
Right After Pooping
Fast action helps contain germs and parasites before they spread or are released when mowing. Don’t let it linger!
Before Mowing
Scan the area first and remove all bombs. One wipeout with the lawnmower can contaminate your whole yard.
After Heavy Rain
Lower standing water washes germs out of poop even faster. Pick up ASAP if you want to stay healthy.
During Dry Spells
Parasite eggs thrive in arid conditions. Be diligent about cleanup when it’s hot and dry out.
Before Entertaining or Playtime
Eliminate hazards before kids and pets frolic. Ingesting pathogens found in poop can make them very sick.
Where to Put Dog Poop – Safe Disposal Tips
Responsibly getting rid of dog waste helps keep everyone healthy. Follow these guidelines:
In the Trash
Seal poop bags tightly so no leaks occur, then place in your garbage. This safely contains pathogens so they don’t spread. Just be sure to take bags out frequently so smells don’t accumulate.
Flush It
As long as you’re on a septic-safe toilet, flushing is an acceptable option. Just be warned – clogs can happen if too much gets flushed.
Compost Carefully
Most compost piles don’t get hot enough to kill pathogens in dog waste. Stick to pet-safe systems designed to handle it.
Not in Garden Beds
Contrary to popular belief, dog poop should NOT go directly in your vegetable garden. The parasites can infect edible plants.
Avoid Water Sources
Never add dog poop to ponds, streams, or other shared waterways. This will contamination the water and get other pets sick.
Following these smart disposal methods helps prevent the spread of icky parasites to humans, pets, and wildlife. It keeps everyone safer and healthier.
Are There Any Risks to Picking Up Dog Poop?
While very low if you use proper precautions, there are a couple dangers to be aware of when handling dog bombs:
Parasite Exposure
Accidentally ingesting or touching poop then transferring parasites to your mouth can make you ill. Use gloves and wash hands immediately after.
Bag Breaks or Leaks
Messy cleanups happen! Make sure to wash anything that came in contact and disinfect the area to kill pathogens.
To stay safe, use designated poop bags that don’t easily rip, tie off tightly, and pick up waste with a scooper whenever possible. Also thoroughly wash your hands every time.
Can Dog Poop Be Left to Fertilize the Lawn?
You may see all that poop as free fertilizer, but it’s not actually an ideal nutritional source for your lawn. Here’s why:
Too Much Nitrogen
Dog urine and poop contains high levels of nitrogen. An overload will burn grassroots and yellow the blades.
Harms Soil Microbes
The high salts and acids disrupt beneficial microbial life in the soil that grass relies on to thrive. It essentially creates sterile dirt.
Spreads Weeds
Weed seeds often pass undigested through dogs and end up in their poop. Leaving it fertilizes weeds, not grass. No thanks!
Yellow Spots and Burns
The concentrated nitrogen and salts leave unsightly yellow patches, browning, and damage behind. Not the lush lawn you want.
While manure from cows, horses, sheep, and chickens make decent fertilizer, dogs have a whole different digestive system. Their poop causes more harm than good when left on the lawn.
Should Dog Parks Provide Poop Bags?
Pet parents rely on community dog parks so Fido can run free and socialize. But these spaces come with a big responsibility – cleaning up the inevitable poop explosions that will occur.
While pet owners should always come prepared with their own bags, providing complimentary bags and bins at dog parks is a wise public health measure.
It reminds forgetful owners to pick up after their pooch. And it prevents contamination from poop being left behind by irresponsible people.
Providing these supplies takes the burden off cash strapped owners and ensures everyone can pitch in keeping the park clean. It’s a win-win for the dogs and the community.
Some parks even have bag dispensers installed so there’s no excuse not to clean up. Having adequate disposal stations prevents people from just dumping bags outside park gates, too.
So next time you visit a dog park without these amenities, reach out to request they provide bags and bins. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in keeping the park poop-free!
The Bottom Line
Letting your lawn turn into a minefield of dog bombs might seem easier in the moment. But itcreates some nasty issues when those turds get mowed over.
Do yourself and your community a favor by picking up ALL the poop before mowing season. Arm yourself with the right tools to make cleanup fast. And remember to swiftly dispose of waste in a safe spot afterward.
While not the most glamorous task, taking responsibility for your dog’s waste keeps everyone healthy and avoids ruining your lawn’s lush vibes. Doody calls – make sure you answer!