Aug. 18, 2022 | It’s summer and everybody is weeding, watering and mowing. Did you know that Americans use approximately 70 million pounds of pesticides and insecticides to maintain their lawns every year? While everyone wants their yard to look perfect, the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides can be harmful to the environment as well as our bodies and our pets. Hazardous chemicals can enter your home, where they can contaminate indoor air and surfaces. They may float in on the air, but they can also enter from pets, on bare feet and shoes. This kind of home invasion can expose children to levels up to 10 times more than organically treated laws since a child typically plays on the floor and is prone to put things in their mouth. Because children’s organs are still developing and maturing and that they eat and drink more than adults in relation to their body weight, they are at a greater risk of ingesting any chemicals used to treat a lawn or plants.

Aug. 18, 2022 | There are a number of steps you can take to keep your lawn healthy this summer. The first is to make sure you have healthy soil, with the right pH balance, nutrients and texture. You can buy a soil analysis kit at any hardware store or contact your local County Cooperative Extension Service for a soil analysis. If you are planting grass, be sure to choose one that grows well in your climate. If your area gets very little rain, don’t plant a type of grass that needs a lot of water. When it comes to watering, the best rule is to water only when the lawn begins to wilt from dryness, when the color dulls and footprints stay in the grass for more than a few seconds. And set realistic goals for weed and pest control. A healthy lawn will probably always have some weeds and insect pests. But a healthy lawn will also have beneficial insects and other organisms like earthworms that keep pests under control. Improper use of pesticides can kill these beneficial organisms.

Aug. 18, 2022 | When it comes to using chemical pesticides, you must decide whether to do the job yourself or hire a professional pest control service. If you choose to tackle the job yourself, the next question is the most important. Which pesticide product is the best one for your situation? Home-use pesticides come in many forms, including solutions, aerosols, dusts, granules, baits, and wettable powders. As the name implies, wettable powders are usually mixed with water or other liquids and then applied. Pesticide solutions are often diluted with water. Certain formulations work better for some pests or some target areas than others. Many pesticides also come in ready-to-use forms, such as aerosols and spray bottles, which are often more practical and easier to use because they don’t require measuring or mixing. Use of any pesticide in any way that is not consistent with label directions and precautions is illegal. It may also be ineffective and even worse, dangerous.

Aug. 18, 2022 | Direct contact with pesticides to the skin can lead to irritation or burns of the skin or mucous membranes. Inhalation of the fumes from containers of pesticides can lead to a feeling of chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Ingestion of either carbamate or organophosphate pesticides can result in sweating, a runny nose, vomiting and diarrhea. Without proper medical intervention including medications and supportive care, death can occur. In the event of skin or mucous membrane exposure, irrigate the exposed area with a copious amount of water. Call 1-800-222-1222 to speak with a representative from a Poison Control Center to help with any treatment recommendations. If you have any difficulty breathing or swallowing following exposure to a pesticide, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. Bring the container of the pesticide you were exposed to with you to help guide the medical staff who will be taking care of you.

Aug. 18, 2022 | Improper storage and disposal of pesticides can be hazardous to human health and the environment. When it comes to storing any pesticides, don’t stockpile. Buy only the amount of pesticide that you will need in the near future or during the current season when the pest is active. Store pesticides high enough so that they are out of reach of children and pets. Be sure to keep them in a locked cabinet in a well-ventilated utility area or garden shed. Pesticides should always be stored in their original containers, complete with labels that list ingredients, directions for use, and first aid steps in case of accidental poisoning. Never transfer pesticides to soft drink bottles or other containers. Children or others may mistake them for something to eat or drink. Do not pour leftover pesticides down the sink, into the toilet, or down a sewer or street drain. Pesticides may interfere with the operation of wastewater treatment systems or pollute waterways.