EPA 910/F-94-004
Keep a history of your yard. Record all the
events and activities which have led to the pre3ent
conditions. This includes: plantings, amendments,
fertilizer, peat moss, compost, weeds, animal pests
and predators, sun, rain, temperature, seed
sources, preparation, and weed control.
Temporary" or long term storage in other containers may
be illegal and certain!/ increases the possibility of
accidental application or ingestion particularly if the
container is one where a child might normally find
desirable/food items. Eliminate access of unsupervised
children to high risk areas.
What Are The important Phone Numbers?
1-800-424-4EPA
Public agency and manufacturer information is
available directly through a system of "hot line"numbers:
Home remedies may work for specific pest Planned disposal of excess product and empty ~ D ^ ,c * *, /•> m-oov.o
problems, but no one should make containers isan integral part of safe use of pesticides. £on s"mer'*°?u ct Sa fety Commission •-
recommendations for use of unregistered The proper disposal method for excess of a.product and f g£ Safe Dr.nk.ng Water Hotline
products as pesticides. If the product label does the empty original container is specificly provided on the M r« To" r •£T°?L^!mm,Vn^tnc
not display a OTs. Environmental Protection Agency pesticide label. Reusable containers and waste disposal NatJ°na' Pf£'£!de Telecommun.cat.ons
number or a use is recommended which is not on kits also have detailed instructions on the label or »lexas leenj
the label bus/nesses risk receiving a citation oackaaina 8:0°am to 6:0° Pm CST> Mon ™rou9n Fn
froWthe EPA or f stlte Inpnrv g packag.ng. Nationa, Pestjcide lnforrnation Network (Washington DC)
c™ or a siaie agency. The orjgina, containers must not be modified in any modem (1200/2400 baud, 7 data, 1 stop, even parity,
Pollution prevention and Safety is the underlying way. In some cases store personnel have modified or full duplex) (703) 305-5919
reason for much of the emphasis on pesticide use destroyed seal integrity on toxic products to reduce space voice support (703) 305-7499
regulation. The results of excessive pesticide requirements or facilitate handling. Bulky packaging may Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency. (206) 343-8800
application and the use of persistent chemicals has appear to be unnecessary but it is usually mandated for PSWQA Information 1-800-54-SOUND
caused pollution of surface and ground waters you and your family's safety. Check package integrity Washington Poison Network 1-800-732-6985
throughout the United States and the world. before you buy. Oregon Poison Control (503) 494-8968
Pesticides which have been banned for a decade or „ . ,__._. * • ... Oregon 1-800-452-7165
more are still increasing in level in ground water. At Know where safety and containment equipment is Idaho Poison Control (208) 378-2707
least 25 per cent of pesticide application (and located now. A designated store employee must venfy |dano _• • 1 -800-632-8000
probably a much higher percentage of over location and condition of safety Equipment on a regular Washington State Department of Agriculture,
application) is done using the products sold by schedule. As an customer you are also prudent to note • Pesticide Management Division
unban and suburban outlets these locations. In some stores hand carts and Olympia (206)902-2010
containment/overpack units may also be available. Licensing (206) 902-2030
Exclusion of the pesticide from the user is Training for safe lifting and handling procedures is also a Compliance^biympia"."!!!"™!!""!!™!.!!"!." (206) 902-2040
achieved by use of devices such as gloves, method of preventing in-store accidents for customers as Compliance-Yakima .I.!!....""..!.!.. ".". (509) 575-2746
goggles, face shields, masks, and respirators. All of well as employees. Washington State Department of Ecology. (206) 407-3300
these products are displayed for sale in an area for _. . . ,. . , ' . . _ Washinoton State Deoartment of Health
safety^quipment Identification of the specific Store management should prov.de updated maps of . pSdes Section (206) 753-3518
items recommended for use with a particdir ^SSSfS havSl^av^ WWhSB*flSSfcrtmenTof Labor and Industries
pesticide should begin with reading the pesticide fs *e" as "f/'ng tnem avajiaoie in tne store, i nis Olvrnoia (206) 753-4473
label. Different levels of protection are achieved function is often supported by computer aided tracking EvwSt (206 356-2965
with different levels of breathing air protection and operated by the Risk Management Department for all |™«g >206 281.5440
protective clothing. a H tox.«5 from ong.nal purchase through retail sale. Sc^Tl™Z:i™rZ~™ ^ 593-2926
iis«» ran Tne primary post-occurrence safety devices are Spokane (509) 456-5003
n-&JbB Rpto with adequate^rainlng, product Amf^Lung Association
knowJed25f'nd Kgnitl£"- • ach s}°re ^^ shoul
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What Is A Pest?
A pest is a living organism which may be a
vertebrate (e.g. crow, rat, deer), invertebrate (e.g.
fly, snail, slug), fungus, bacteria, spore, virus, or
undesired plant type for the location. This definition
excludes virus in or on the human body. The
reduction in satisfaction may be an loss of plant or
animal product; health risk to human, other animal,
or plant; asthetic damage; or the creation of a
nuisance.
Health risk is represented by the vectoring of a
disease or illness, other occupants (especially
children), or to plants or animals.
Asthetic damage occurs when damage to a plant,
or the presence of a pest or its byproducts exceeds
the ability of the customer to tolerate it. This
threshold is often based on a lack of tolerance for
minor, non-health threatening damage and may be
raised by access to selected books or pamphlets
available in the store.
Identification of pests is the fundamental task ;
which leads to the accurate selection of products
and services which are effective and safe. An
individual will normally have some information on
the symptoms of the problem, perhaps
preconceived ideas for a solution, and a desired
result and target cost.
Symptomatic Information will relate to observable
effects of the problem caused by the pest. There
may have more information than initially indicated.
Questions based on personal experience, training,
and reference or for-sale books may give more
information to select the best service or product
Ideas for a solution will be based on: base cause
of the problem, time of year, life cycle of the pest,
condition and location of the site (nearby water
bodies, pets, kids, wildlife), comfort needs and
skills.
Desired result and target cost may start with total
eradication or a one-shot chemical solution. The
concept of a tolerance level to the pest is often
appropriate. A definition of tolerance leveUimply
stated, is that a few insects in the area, nominal
weed population, a gradual reduction in the disease
problem, or a limited amount of physical damage to
the plant may be an acceptable solution. This
indicates that a longer term solution such as a
target-specific pesticide, predator or parasite,
growth regulator, pheromone, or changed cultural
practice is often the best solution. Solving today's
problem should consider information and products
to improve plant health and environmental
resistance for the future. Often a problem occurs
due to external (cultural or environmental) stress.
What Is A Pesticide?
A pesticide is any substance, device, procedure or
combination of these which is intended to repel, mitigate,
control or destroy any pest In the state of Washington the
definition of a pesticide includes adjuvant(s) used with the
other pesticides to make them more effective.
Many "pesticides" are not chemicals and using
information to identify alternate cultural methods to
chemicals when applicabje is a part of modern pest
control. Your understanding of the basics of pest
management will help demonstrate your environmental
awareness, and concurrently have a cleaner, safer
environment. Alternative solutions include: preventive
activities, cultural activities, biological agents, and
mechanical devices.
Preventive activities include careful seed and plant
selection for appropriate species for the area. It also
includes avoidance of introduction of pests and diseases
into the local environment through techniques such as
cleanliness of tools, screening of water sources, and
exclusion of adjacent infestations.
Cultural methods include planting cover crops,
transplanting slow growing crops, adjusted planting dates,
soil improvement (e.g. organic matter/fertilizer
applications, mulching), plastic and other covers, and crop
rotation (even in a small garden). This suggests sales of
seeds, tools, books, fertilizers, mulches, peat moss,
garden fabric, and hot caps.
Biological agents can include use of animals to
selectively forage for pests (e.g. ducks for slugs, geese for
specific grasses and weeds) and parasitic animals and
plants (e.g. lady bugs and Bacillus ThuringeinsisJBT])- BT
is displayed in pesticides and some insect parasites are
stocked at certain times of the year.
Mechanical devices generally control the animal or plant
pest by trapping, cultivating, cutting, or spraying with
water. The applicable items include traps, trowels,
shovels, rakes, hoes, spreaders, spray nozzles,
cultivators, tillers, mowers, flails, watering systems, and
flamers/steamers.
Chemical agents are applicable in certain situations.
They include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides,
rodenticides, growth regulators, pheromones, and
repellents, there are two primary considerations in
selection and application of chemical pesticides: the
toxicity and target uses of the active ingredient(s), and the
effects which may be caused by the Inert" ingredients).
The label should reflect the risks to non-target organisms
from the specific formulation in that package. Do not apply
except in accordance with label instructions.
Why Be Concerned about Pesticides?
All pesticide products have both benefits and risks. A
rat trap can catch a rat or a finger. All products must be
used with caution and according to the label. Some
mechanical devices have extensive labeling mandated by
the Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health
Administrations. Pesticides have extensive label
requirements to meet Federal standards and may also
have additional state requirements. In general, the newer
chemicals are less toxic to humans than older
formulations.
"Safe" to humans may not indicate "safe" for other
animals and plants. As an example, an insecticidal soap
or a surfactant as an inert ingredient added to a pesticide
is often extremely toxic to fish if it enters a lake, pond, or
stream.
Special attention should be paid to solvents, and
adjuvants. These ingredients of pesticide products are
often included with active ingredients to increase stability,
and improve effectiveness of applications. They may
affect increase the human toxicity of the product and
complicate the treatment of victims of pesticide
misapplications. They may have unintended effects on
other animals and plants which may also include long term
environmental effects.
Use of specified safety devices and instructions
properly followed can save an individual from injury.
The labels on pesticides specify protective devices and
exposure limitations for the products in those containers.
Some facts to consider on use of chemical pesticides
are:
' The U.S. used 6.05 billion dollars of pesticides in 1992
equaling ovel 1.05 billion pounds
• Use in U.S. increased 5.6% from 1991 (11 million
pound increase)
• Registered pesticide use is 25% urban/suburban
• Urban/suburban pesticide use in the Puget Sound area
in 1988 was 1,080,000 pounds (active ingredient)
• 45% of households use pesticides
- Local surveys (King County and Evergreen College)
indicate: 1/2 of users improperly stored pesticides
• 1/4 of users had 2 year or older pesticides on hand
• Highest incidence of urban/suburban pesticide
poisoning is children under 6 years of age ingesting
rodenticides
• 80 per cent of chemical pesticides for non-commercial
application are now purchased from large stores
What To Do About Pest Management
Targeted Pest management using systems such as
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the planned
use of pest control methods which assure a healthy,
pleasant and productive environment; restore and
maintain an ecological balance; reduce polluting
residues in your home, yard, and in surface runoff;
protect beneficial organisms in the air and soil;
avoid buildup of chemical sensitivity and pesticide
resistance; and reduce reliance on non-renewable
natural resources.
Pest control options are substantially dependent
on what is causing the problem, the time of year,
pest life stage, and site conditions. The concept of
calendar spraying for control can be both expensive
and potentially damaging to the environment,
adjacent surface waters, and ground water. IPM
methods call for mapping, scouting, weather
monitoring, pest monitoring, and then diagnosis of
the cause and remedy.
Mapping refers to the maintenance of a note book
for your yard and adjacent fields to track occurrence
of pest types and pesticide use successes and
failures over multiple seasons. This also allows
recording of plant/crop performance for different
locations in your yard and recording results of
different cultural approaches.
Scouting is the inspection of different plantings and
areas to identify pest populations and their
development as the growing season progresses.
This is one of the sources of the entries into your
notebook on home history.
Weather monitoring consists of observation of
temperature, humidity, and precipitation patterns
which will affect the development of your plants and
the associated pest populations.
Diagnosis and remedy are the reaction to the
collected information from mapping, scouting,
weather monitoring, and consultation with local
experts. It is done in a way which will allow healthy
growth of your crops and achievement of a pleasant
appearance for your property.
Safety can be improved by exclusion, control,
security and disposal. Buy the size of chemical
package intended for use in the present season.
The use of "old chemicals" is not advised as their
potency may have changed. Special attention
should be directed to handling and storage
instructions to avoid injury to individuals and
especially, small children. Locked storage is always
best. Observe reentry instructions on the label.
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