Reducing Risk to Pollinators: Pesticide Use in Urban & Suburban Landscapes

• Reducing Risk to Pollinators main page
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Pesticide Use in Urban & Suburban Landscapes
• Pesticide Use in Agriculture
• Pesticide Use on Rangelands
• Pesticide Use in Forests
• Pesticide Use on Wetlands

Pesticide Use in Urban & Suburban Landscapes

The registration and use of pesticides are governed by the E.P.A. and state Agencies under the amended Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972). Read the pesticide label and follow its directions exactly. Pesticides can only be used on the specific crop and or sites(s) listed on the label (such as specific garden vegetables, ornamental plants, turf, indoors). Many turf and ornamental pesticides may not be used on food plants. The pesticide label will tell you whether it can be used inside your home.

Over-use or misuse of pesticides may also harm children and pets playing in the area and can adversely affect the beneficial pollinators which benefit flower and fruit production in your garden. Follow the label instructions to prevent pesticide drift from damaging other sites, contaminating ground water, adversely affecting human and environmental health.

Under the law, you are liable for misuse of pesticides on your property. Fines and other penalties change and vary according to laws broken. Recent court rulings extend your liability to include by commercial applicators you hire.

Pollinator Friendly Practices, NAPPC and Wildlife Habitat Council:

http://www.nappc.org/PollinatorFriendlyPractices.pdf

Guidelines for creating pollinator habitat on corporate lands and home landscapes, appropriate for professional groundskeepers, landscapers, serious home gardeners, and land stewards. Successful applicants can win the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign-Wildlife Habitat Council’s award for pollinator-friendly corporate lands. Guidelines appropriate for the professional land stewards or very serious home gardeners. PDF available.

Resource List for Pesticide Alternatives, Audubon Society:

http://members.aol.com/homeview2/info

Wonderful links to various resources, such as reference books about gardens, bats, and organic pest control; mail order beneficial insects and alternative pesticide products. Other links include organizations to contact for more information; how to report bird kills from lawn spraying, and sources of more information for a very broad range of pesticide concerns (wildlife, pets, household cleaners, products, multiple chemical sensitivity).

Managing Insect Pests without Pesticides University of Maine Cooperative Extension:

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/7150.htm

Information on numerous beneficial insects and spiders plus general advice on how to encourage "good bugs" and eliminate pests without the use of pesticides. Much of this information is applicable throughout North America.

Pesticides and the Environment, Arizona Cooperative Extension:

http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/pesticides/environment.html

General reference for gardening and pesticide use that distinguishes between pesticides meant for home vs. commercial use and legal liabilities from using pesticides.

Rachel Carson Council Resource Center

http://members.aol.com/rccouncil/ourpage/catalog.htm

Various resources, including videos, books, newsletters, papers and pamphlets that are available to order by contacting the Rachel Carson Council.

Insect and Mite Control on Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennials, Ohio State University Extension Bulletin #504:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/b504/

Provides well-organized categories of information about cultural, chemical, and biological control of pests, not limited to woody plants and perennials. Includes technical definitions of pesticides, repellents, attractants/pheromones, and desiccants, plus examples of each type with tips on use and toxicity to non-target species (including humans). Use the Table of Contents option once you reach the chemical control page to navigate this site.

Protecting Honeybees from Pesticides, Seattle Rose Society:

http://www.bmi.net/roseguy/beespray.html

This information was assembled by NAPPC’s EPA PESP Task Force in 2004-2005.

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