EPA, Do not apply if Rain in the next 24 hrs

[greendoctor]

Originally Posted by jvanvliet

The pest controllers will do a better job at trying to adhere to the new regulations, as difficult as they may seem. Big Box companies are definitely behind the eight ball on this

I agree, the rule is almost impossible to comply with because our weather is so localized in general. I may have rain on my side of the street, but not on the other.

The ridiculous thing about the rule is that they burden the wrong people with it. Homeowners are the worst offenders and contribute the most to excess application, run off and contamination. Professionals (at least most) are judicious in their applications.

Just another way for the government to put the wood to the little guy.

I am waiting to see pyrethroids either removed from the shelves in hardware stores or their labels revised to reflect the same restrictions placed on Pro's. Including the one concerning no broadcast applications to outdoor hard surfaces that are open to weather. It is not impossible to imagine homeowners hosing down walkways and patios with pyrethroids just because they saw an ant. That would actually cut down substantially on the bifenthrin running off into surface waters. The most illogical thing is to have an AI designated as "for sale to, storage by and use by professional applicators only", yet the same material in a different concentration and package is for sale to people who will not obey the labels no questions asked. It did shock me to see "thrins" sold over the counter 20 years ago because I knew they were federal RUP if sold for crop use. As long as these products are sold over the counter, the pollution problem will continue until they are banned. At that time, the call will be for a total ban on turf and pest control use.

Another thought: Would usage of a resin or polymer sticker(Latron B1956) help keep AI's on treated surfaces even if they are exposed to rain?

[jvanvliet]

Originally Posted by greendoctor

I am waiting to see pyrethroids either removed from the shelves in hardware stores or their labels revised to reflect the same restrictions placed on Pro's. Including the one concerning no broadcast applications to outdoor hard surfaces that are open to weather. It is not impossible to imagine homeowners hosing down walkways and patios with pyrethroids just because they saw an ant. That would actually cut down substantially on the bifenthrin running off into surface waters.

Chemicals ought to be removed from hardware stores including ferts. I see people pouring ferts on their turf lawns monthly @ 2 or 3 or even more X the recomended rates. Sometimes they will burn, but usually they water to rival Noah's flood and wash most of it down the road.

Changing the label makes no difference, not to the homeowner. I get e-mail alerts when there is a change to the label, the HO doesn't care. His attidude is; if one is good, 10 is better. I doubt he reads beyond how much to put down.

[greendoctor]

Who says they even read that? Most homeowners I have met are lost on the concept of a quantity of product per area. Something like a bifenthrin or imidacloprid granule can be severely overdosed with no consequence to the lawn, but with horrible results to the environment. Do that before a heavy rain and expect to seed floating fish or no more crab and shrimp. My favorite question is if the homeowner can buy the kind of fertilizers I use. Sure, but they do not go through a fertilizer spreader.