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Pesticides

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Pesticides

Pesticides are a tool of the IPM or Integrated Pest Management. It is important to understand and implement the correct usage of any chemical used. I recently attended a workshop where this subject was addressed especially with the idea of IPM or Integrated Pest Management. Always a great idea to rehash the options you have when using them. I have always believed that IPM works and should be the basis of any pest treatment. I also wish to address the belief of some that IPM means no pesticides, that is incorrect it simply means that you use the other tools first and if you must use them you do so in a manner that is minimally evasive to the structure.

Thank you to Dr. Michael R. Wierda for supplying this information, info to talk with him included with the sheets.

Pesticide and safety

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Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program – Gold Member of the EPA

ProBest Pest Management is a Gold member since 2010. A pesticide can be and should be considered dangerous and should be handled accordingly, they can also be useful.

Performance.
Participation.
Responsibility.
Education.

Established in 1994, the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is an EPA partnership program. It works with the nation’s pesticide-user community to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. PESP is guided by the principle that partnership programs complement the standards and decisions established by regulatory and registration actions. The informed actions of chemical users can further reduce the risks from pests and pesticides. By playing a major role in ensuring human health and environmental safety.

PESP members are also encouraged to get involved in PESP goals, which currently include:

IPM in Schools Program – aims to reduce the risk that chemical exposure poses to children and school employees by promoting sensible applications of pesticides around schools.
Landscaping Initiative – seeks to enhance the environmental, human health, and economic benefits associated with landscapes while reducing the need for pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, and energy inputs by working in concert with nature.
Tick IPM – seek to identify the most cost effective approaches to reduce tick encounters and incidence of tick borne diseases by collaborating with partners (federal, state, local government, NGOs, growers) that actively share experiences on pest prevention strategies.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-KMRyaSEbw[/embedyt]

How is GreenPro adding value to our Pest Control Industry and consumers?

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GREENPRO PRINCIPLES

GreenPro certified services minimize pesticide exposure to humans, non-target animals, and the environment by:

Focusing on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies such as habitat modification, exclusion, removal of food and water sources, sanitation, and making repairs.
Providing and documenting thorough pest inspection and monitoring services, as well as follow-up to ensure efficacy.
Regularly communicating with clients about pests infestations, conducive conditions, and ways to prevent pests.
Requiring specialized training for all company employees who sell or perform these services.

Services that include any of the following will not be certified as GreenPro:

Preventive pesticide applications that are based solely on the calendar.
Routine, high volume pesticide applications without justification.
Indoor pesticide applications without justification.
Rodenticides placed in a manner in which they are accessible to children and nontarget animals.

All information taken directly from the Guide to certification.

I’ve been pushing this for years, my regular service is an outside only, inside only on request and based on the problem or issue. We only use power spraying for weeds and ticks. In Arizona we have scorpions, so we recommend home sealing but it also requires monthly spraying, we do use a lot of DE.

Please use caution when using a pesticide or rodenticide

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What criteria do you use when you decide to use a pesticide, do you read the label and decide the bug is listed on container or do you just buy it because?

One of my biggest pest peeves (yes I said pest) is using a rodenticide in the open where anything could find it and eat it. All and I said all rodent baits require that they be sealed in locked or secured devices.

and my other pesticide pest peeve

Is the use of DE or Diatomaceous earth or aerosol foggers. I have seen mounds of DE placed on floors and carpet for the prevention of Bed Bugs, this stuff can become airborne and you can breath this stuff into your lungs. I have also seen people use way to many aerosol foggers for what they are attempting to kill. Some of these foggers only make the critters hide deeper and become more difficult to treat.

There are of course some tips to using pesticides and of course I recommend you contacting a Professional (like ProBest Pest Management) as we are trained in these products and there usage. But if you are going to Do It Yourself here are some tips.

Read the label, SDS and any other materials associated, and follow the directions.
If your are going to store the product, make it safe. If your storing in garage remember it gets hot and if the bait has oil in it it might evaporate and become useless. I’ve had people complain that a product wasn’t working and it was really old and had spoiled.
Does the product allow interior, exterior treatments, can it be mixed, can it be used around water or if it is raining or just rained?

Why you shouldn’t bug spray in your home every month?

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Over the years I have been an advocate of spreading the news about outside versus inside bug spraying. I’ve actually walked away from people demanding it be done. I’ve held to my guns that it just wasn’t necessary or good for you. This story “Indoor pesticide exposure tied to childhood cancers” is the proof that science and pest management has come towards an IPM approach to issues such as this. I have stated for at least 10 years that indoor spraying just isn’t necessary, there are exceptions like German Roaches that may require a one or two treatment service and there are now gels and dry baits which can be used. I remember 20+ years ago when I would notice a dry powder forming around the edges of rooms and you know that this becomes airborne when children, pets or people walk over it. Breathing that just can’t be good for you! Soapbox alert……

IPM is an abbreviation for Integrated Pest Management.

Integrated Pest Management is a process involving common sense and sound solutions for treating and controlling pests. These solutions incorporate three basic steps: 1) inspection, 2) identification and 3) treatment. Treatment options vary from sealing cracks and removing food and water sources to pesticide treatments when necessary.

Trust me on this folks, stop the every month inside spraying of homes and businesses, your lungs and body can thank me later. Many schools have adopted this program and thanks to a few here in Arizona we are on track to promote more and more schools towards these programs. “Integrated Pest Management – The most effective way to manage pests in your school by AZ Cooperative Extension office U of A

Why does Canada have some tougher rules on pesticides?

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Over the years I have noticed that Canada is tougher on pesticides than we are in the States and was just curious why that was? “Citronella safety debate”

Back in 2004, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency completed a review of citronella-based insect lotions and sprays and said it was not convinced the products were safe.

I’m a fan of being on the safer side of things, but we must also weigh the risks that the bugs bring. It turns out that the people often are the lead in these laws. They fought to keep pesticides out of lawn and gardens applications and this ban (Canada) took effect in 2009. I also found this article “Organic pesticides can be worse than synthetic: study”

OK my point is this, I believe pesticide in moderation or IPM – use the tools available, then if you must, then use pesticide.

Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program – Featured Member – ProBest

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The Spring 2014 PESPWire is here!

PESPWire is a quarterly electronic newsletter featuring news and information of interest to PestWise members, partners and pesticide community stakeholders. This PESPWire issue covers a variety of topics, from IPM for Pigeons to EPA Supports IPM in Arizona.

I would personally like to thank two of our clients – Precious Treasures Childcare and Liberty Wildlife for their contribution to this informative article concerning Integrated Pest Management or IPM. I would also like to thank the EPA for this article and their work with IPM.

Have you ever really read the can or label, before you sprayed?

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I think that most people just grab the can and spray and since I’m in the biz, I just wanted to make sure everyone is aware of how dangerous that is. Look at all the stories about people that Do It Yourself (DIY) and almost blow themselves or their family/neighbors into the next world. For example what if the product contained a petroleum solvent which could explode or cause damage to other products or surfaces.

Story time – I remember sometime ago when I first learned how to use my favorite pest control tool, the bellows duster. I was dusting a wall outlet and in those days, the duster was made out of metal – apparently I got to close to the terminals and almost electrocuted myself. I learned a valuable lesson – I installed a plastic small hose to the end – that won’t happen again. The lesson here is that I was able to learn from that experience, what would have happened if I had inserted a spray into a void and there was flame – boom. I could have killed myself, so I’m thankful it was just sparks and a jolt.

So please read and understand the product you are using, I want you to be safe and grow old.

Wait, don’t do it – read that pesticide label before you use it!

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If the label calls for 1 ounce – 2 has got to be better. If the label says to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – ohhhh wait you didn’t read the label! The time to understand or know the label is before you have an emergency.

How many of us, used a pesticide and never read the label. I’m ready to bet, a whole lot of us.

Here are some statistics on where pesticides fit into 2012 poisonings:

New pesticide label to strengthen pollinators.

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Many types of plants, including fruit and vegetable crops, depend on animals for pollination. Although honey bees are often first thought of as pollinators, many other types of animals pollinate crops and wildflowers, including wild bees, ants, beetles, wasps, lizards, birds, and bats. The EPA is concerned about declines in pollinator health, and is working to protect bees and other pollinators from pesticide risks through regulatory actions, voluntary changes to pesticide use by registrants and research programs aimed at increasing the understanding of factors associated with declining pollinator health.

ProBest Pest Management and the National Pest Management Association are continuing to watch as this story developes.