How Quiet is a “Quiet” Leaf Blower
How Quiet is a “Quiet” Leaf Blower? Whether you’re a professional landscaper or a homeowner, leaf blowers are some of the most efficient tools for clearing an area of debris such as leaves and grass clippings. Unfortunately, they also tend to be very loud, operating somewhere between 70 and 90 decibels (dB). Some gas-powered models can even get all the way up to 100 decibels, which is about as loud as an airplane taking off 300 feet away from you. As you can imagine, that amount of noise isn’t just annoying to your neighbors, it can also be dangerous for you if you’re exposed to it for too long. Luckily, in response to noise complaints and leaf blowers being banned in certain cities, many lawn tool companies have started creating quieter models. But how quiet are these, exactly? The Decibel Levels of Quiet Leaf Blowers To answer that question, it’s important to note that there’s no such thing as a silent leaf blower, but there are leaf blowers that produce very little sound. The quietest ones clock in at about 59 decibels, which is around the same volume as a typical conversation. That’s much less likely to annoy your neighbors, and it’s also likely to be less harmful to your own ears. Look Out for Sneaky Marketing Keep in mind, though, that companies can be a little sneaky with these decibel ratings. Often, the amount that they give on the box is the measurement from 50 feet away (and if they don’t give a decibel amount at all, that’s a big red flag). To the person using the equipment, it could be much louder. That’s why it’s a good idea to wear earplugs when using a leaf blower or other garden tools and to do independent research before making a purchase so you can be certain that the product you’re buying will work for you.
Are leaf blowers noisy
Are leaf blowers noisy? Leaf blowers are an incredibly convenient tool for clearing out all the leaves that fall on your property. Are there any drawbacks when using this kind of equipment? For example, are leaf blowers obnoxiously loud? They absolutely are! Notorious noisemakers As anyone who has ever used one can tell you, a leaf blower is not just loud. They are insanely loud. You can easily, and clearly hear a leaf blower from several blocks away because of how loud they are. The higher pitch tone that they produce allows the sound to carry through nearby windows with little dampening. Exactly how loud are leaf blowers? Sound is often measured in decibels (dB). If you are at least 50 feet away, you will hear the leaf blower at roughly 64 to 78 dB. For the operator, who is right next to the noise, a leaf blower clocks in at anywhere from 95 to 115 dB. That is almost as loud as a live concert! Extended exposure to sound at that amount of dB is going to cause permanent hearing loss for the operator. That’s crazy! Why is a leaf blower so loud anyway? The reason a leaf blower is so loud is because of how it is designed. In general, there are two sources for the noise that a leaf blower makes. The first one is the air that is blowing through the leaf blower. That air is moving with such a high velocity that it is making a lot of noise as it passes through. The other reason for the noise is due to how the gas-powered engine in the leaf blower works. As the fuel combustion occurs, it causes the engine to vibrate which adds in the higher pitch part of the annoying loud noise that a leaf blower produces.
Are Leaf Blowers Bad for Insects
Are Leaf Blowers Bad for Insects? Leaf blowers are a fast and efficient way of tidying up your garden, however they do have some repercussions to the small creatures living within your lawn. Insects such as spiders, bees, and flies all play a vital part in the environmental balance. However, they are suffering a rapid decrease in numbers, especially in built-up areas. How do leaf blowers kill insects? Insects are in danger of being sucked in, or blown away from the impact of the leaf blower. This will cause damage to their limbs or wings, and could lead to the insect dying. Leaf blowers can also cause harm to soil biology, and create noise pollution. Decline percentages In Germany, an undergone study suggested that flying insects had declined by more than 75% in the year of 2017. Whilst leaf blowers are not the main cause of this decline, it is certainly a factor, and something we should be aware of. Climate change, pesticides, and agriculture are top causes. Bees help us by pollinating plants, whilst flies and beetles help to naturally decompose dead wildlife. Data shows that each year, the bee population is dwindling more and more. Between 2018 and 2019, the bee population decreased by 40.7%. Other species of insects have suffered a similar decline figure, reducing in 40% around the world. Conclusion – How can we help? Whilst there is no call to ban leaf blowers, ministries are advising to minimise their usage, utilized only as a last resort. Small insects have a large role to play, and their population numbers have significantly declined. Insects provide benefits to many other species, including humans. To help protect them, less invasive ways of gardening should be attempted before getting out your leaf blower. Alternatively, search for leaf blowers that leaves minimal damage.
