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Howe
Lawn Care For Your Home is a publication prepared by the
Office of Public Affairs, EPA RegionX 230 South
Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604.
Regional Administrator
Director, Office of Publi
Editor/Writer
Technical Advisor
Designer/Illustrator
Art Director
Valdas V. Adamkus
Jon Grand
Nancy Sullivan
Lavarre Uhlken
Belinda Robinson
Birute Bulota
U.~S. Environmental Protection Xgency
Region 5,-library t(5PL-16) -*
230 S.XBearborn StjjBet, Boom 1670
^Chicago* IL 6060C '
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INTRODUCTION
All of us want a beautiful lawn free of weeds and pests to
provide an attractive setting for our home. In addition to its
eye appeal, a lawn provides a cleaner and healthier
environment for you and your family.
Today, people are becoming increasingly concerned about
the harmful side effects on public health and the environ-
ment from the chemicals used in lawn maintenance. Whether
you apply the chemicals yourself, or hire a professional
service, you should be aware of products approved by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for nonagri-
cultural use and of the potential harm that can come from
their improper use and application.
WEED/INSECT/DISEASE/CONTROL
Weeds, destructive insects, and lawn diseases are the
common problems you may encounter in establishing and
maintaining a good lawn. You can eliminate and control
them by using pesticides a diverse group of chemical
agents subdivided into:
herbicides to control and eliminate weeds;
insecticides to destroy or repel insects; and
fungicides to control diseases.
HEALTH CONCERNS
No chemical is completely safe. All chemicals are potentially
harmful. Some can be mherently toxic to humans and pets,
but if exposure to the chemical is minimal, little hazard exists.
Conversely, a chemical with very low toxicity can be a hazard
if it is not handled properly and people and pets are highly
exposed.
When applied according to label instructions, only a small
amount of most weed control products remains on the lawn
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immediately after treatment. However, it's best to keep
children and pets off an alea treated with a liquid chemical.
Let it dry first. Drying timavaries, depending on weather
conditions and the amounftapplied. Usually, a lawn will dry
within 2 hours. Do not walfton a lawn that has been treated
with granules until they all nave worked their way down into
the soil and cannot be seen anymore.
To protect your neighbors, p/ace a "keep-off" sign on your
lawn with a warning that the area has just been chemically
treated.
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APPLYINC CHEMICALS YOURSELF
Look for the EPA registration numbei when buying a
chemical product. This is your assurance that the product has
been reviewed by EPA and is safe and effective when used as
directed. Contact your University Cooperative Extension
Service for information if you are uncertain about what
chemical to use and when to use it. It can recommend a
treatment that is appropriate for your climate and your
specific problem.
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To avoid unintentionally damaging the environment v§
treating your lawn, it is important to:
identify the lawn-care problem; ^\
buy a product that is made to
care of that specific problem;
read and follow label instructioij
carefully; and
apply only the amount re
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Avoid the most toxic chemicals. They always carry a
"Danger" label. Moderately toxic chemicals are labeled with
a "Warning," and those that are only slightly toxic and
generally safe for cDnsumer use are labeled "Caution." Al-
most all lawn-care products are very low in toxicity, and will
have a "Caution" label.
There are several d fferent types of pro
local hardware or garden center. Most
soluble powders, wettable powders, or
cts available in your
i^oducts are sold as
jmulsifiable concen-
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that arc simply mixed with water, stirred, and sprayed.
Others are granular formulations mixed with lawn fertilizer.
Apply granules to grass that has been recently cut and is
moist from morning dew or rain. Don't mow or disturb your
lawn for at least 24 hours. Water, or wait for rain, as
directed on the product label.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Because chemicals must be toxic to eliminate and control
pests in your lawn, take these safety precautions when you
use, dispose of, or store chemicals.
MIXING Measure and mix your spray formula
carefully. All mixing should be done
outdoors.
Buy a measuring cup and spoon to be
used for chemicals only. Don't use these
utensils in the kitchen after measuring
01 mixing a chemical
Mix only the amount you need, so you
don't have to dispose of any leftovers.
APPLYING Close your windows and remove
CHEMICALS outdoor fuiniture before you begin
spraying.
Never spray on a windy day to avoid
injuring flowers and desirable plants with
drifting spray particles. To be safe,
spray only when it's calm. Usually,
the best time is early morning or
in the evening.
Don't apply chemicals before a rain-
fall. Rain will wash some chemicals
away before they can do their job.
Be careful not to spray children's play
equipment, such as swing sets. Wash
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the equipment immediately if this
occurs accidently.
Avoid inhaling the chemicals. Slay upwind
of the spray.
STORAGE ğ Store the chemicals in a safe dry place.
Keep them in their original containers,
away from children and pets.
DISPOSAL Ğ Dispose of empty containers as recom-
mended on the label. Never puncture
or burn a pressurized container.
Chemicals enter your body when you swallow or inhale
them, or when you get them on your skin or in your eyes. To
protect yourself, take these special precautions when working
with chemicals.
PERSONAL ğ Avoid spilling chemicals on your skin.
SAFETY Read the label to determine an
MEASURES adequate way to clean yourself if
this happens accidently.
Never smoke when using a pesticide
because you could pass the
chemical from your hands to the
cigarette and then to your mouth.
Wash exposed skin thoroughly with
soap and water after applying a
chemical. Wash your clothing
separately from the family wash.
PROTECTIVE Pay special attention to label instruc-
CLOTHINC tions regarding the need for protective
clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat,
long-sleeve shirt, long pants, vinyl
or rubber gloves, and boots.
Wear safety goggles to protect your
eyes when spraying or mixing a
chemical.
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fount
ACCIDENT Call a poison control center immedi-
ately if you accidently swallow
or inhale a chemical, or if you
contaminate your skin. Describe the
chemical from the information on
the label. Take the label with you
if you must go to a doctor or a
hospital.
If you spray or splash a chemical in
your eyes, rinse them immediately
with clean water for 15 minutes.
Call your doctor or a poison control
center.
SELECTING A LAWN CARE SERVICE
Lawn-care services should use only chemicals that have been
registered by EPA and, in some States, by the appropriate
State agency. The products regularly used by these com-
panies are registered as "general use products." This means
the products consist of the same ingredients that can be
purchased by the general public at local garden and lawn
care centers and can be used with no additional restrictions
other than those specifically given on the product label.
In addition to product registration, professional applicators
must meet special competency requirements established by
individual State pesticide regulatory agencies. Applicators
must demonstrate knowledge in product handling and
application and have an understanding of the information
provicJed on pesticide labels. In all of the EPA Region 5 States
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and
Wisconsin lawn care service applicators must acquire and
maintain these skilK.
Make certain that you are dealing with a reputable company
before signing a contract. If you are not familiar with a
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company, you can call your State agricultural agency (listed
on last page) to check the company's credentials.
Use this checklist when considering a lawn-care service
company.
H Is the company licensed?
H Does the company have a good reputation?
Have there been any complaints against it?
/
H Have you discussed your specific problem with
the company and agreed upon a maintenance
program?
H Do you know what chemicals will be used
and in what amount?
Is If a family member has allergies, have
you consulted a doctor about a possible
adverse reaction from exposure to the
chemicals?
cnemicais?
If you are still uncertain about a product, check with
EPA or your State agricultural agency on the toxicity
the chemical.
of
Usually, weed control preparations require only small
amounts of a chemical and are considered to have low
toxicity. Typically, more than 99 percent of a mixture is
fertilizer and water.
EPA REGULATIONS
When used according to label instructions, herbicides, insec-
ticides, and fungicides control and eliminate unwanted
weeds, insects, and lawn diseases with a minimum of risk.
Federal regulations require that pesticide labels contain a
statement warning users of potential hazards and provide
directions on how to correctly apply the chemicals.
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Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act, manufacturers must register their products with EPA
before they can be sold or used in the United States. To
obtain a registration number, manufacturers must provide
EPA with information on the health and environmental
effects of the pesticide. EPA reviews the data to ensure that
the pesticide is effective and, when used properly, it does not
harm people or the environment.
LAWN CARE PRODUCTS
Below are some typical products used by the lawn-care
industry. Be aware that there may be several different brand
(trade) names for a specific chemical. Both trade and
common (simplified chemical) names will be listed on the
product label.
TRADE NAME COMMON NAME
These herbicides are used in the spring to control annual
grassy weeds, such as crabgrass. These chemicals require only
one application.
Dacthal DCPA
Betasan Bensulide
Balan Benefin
Pre-M Pendimethalin
These herbicides are used in the spring and fall when broad-
leaf weeds, such as dandelions, are actively growing. They
may also be used in the summer on a limited basis.
Trimec 2,4-D
MCPP
Dicamba
Phenaban 2,4-D
Dicamba
Weedone 2,4-D
2,4-DP
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These insecticides are used to keep insects from damaging
the lawn. Select a pesticide based on the type of insect,
usually chinch bugs, sod webwprms, and white grubs.
Dursban Chlorpyrifos
Diazinon Diazinon
These fungicides can be used if a disease invades your lawn.
Select a fungicide that will attack your particular problem.
Tersan 1991 Benomyl
Tersan LSR Maneb
Daconil Chlorothalonil
LAWN DISEASES
If your lawn is diseased, it most likely has been attacked by a
fungus. Watch for signs of disease in hot, humid weather
when fungus grows faster. Lawn diseases can be spread by
wind, water, and grass clippings.
There are many different types of lawn diseases. Some of the
most common are:
fairy ring large dry spot; toadstools
may appear in ring;
powdery mildew grass appears as
if it were sprinkled with flour;
leaf spot tiny spots or lesions on
grass blades;
rust grass has reddish brown, reddish
yellow or orange-yellow appearance;
snow mold spots of white, pink,
reddish-white, or gray in lawn along
fences or shady areas.
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Below are the Region 5 State agencies who regulate
pesticides in their States.
Illinois
Illinois Dept. of Agriculture
Bureau of Plant & Consumer
Services
P.O. Box 19281
State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
Phone: (217) 785-2427
Minnesota
Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
Agronomy Services Division
90 West Plato Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55107
Phone: (612) 296-1161
Indiana
Office of the Indiana State
Chemist
Dept. of Biochemistry
Purdue University
West Layfette, IN 47907
Phone: (317) 494-1587
Ohio
Ohio Dept. of Agriculture
Pesticides Regulation
Reynoldsburg OH 43068
Phone: (614) 886-6361
Michigan
Michigan Dept. of Agriculture
Plant Industry Division
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, Ml 48909
Phone: (517) 373-1087
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture,
Trade, and Consumer Protection
Plant Industry Division
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, Wl 53708
Phone: (608) 266-7135
If you need additional information, write to: U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency, Pesticides Section, 230 South
Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604. Or call (312) 353-2192.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agenoy
Region 5, Library (5PL-16)
230 S. Dearborn Street, Boom 167*
Chicago, IL 60604
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