- Author: Lauren Fordyce
- Author: Belinda Messenger-Sikes
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
You've heard of terms such as green, organic, natural, ecofriendly, and less toxic to describe pest control products and services. But what do these terms really mean? To different people, they can mean different things, creating obvious confusion. But some of these terms have specific meanings, regulations, and rules when referring to pesticides and pest control. This article aims to clarify the differences.
What is organic?
Some people think organic means no pesticides, but that is incorrect. The term organic (in the context of food production and pest control) can mean no pesticides were used, but it can also mean that only organically acceptable pesticides and fertilizers were used.
The term “organic” is regulated by federal agencies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines whether a pesticide can be labeled organic. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) sets standards for organic pesticides and fertilizers. Pesticides that meet these standards may use the EPA's three leaf logo, and the NOP statement “For Organic Gardening”.
Organic pesticides may be naturally derived from plants or made from natural elements, or they can be artificially made. While organic pesticides are often less toxic to people, beneficial insects, or other organisms, some can be just as harmful as certain conventional pesticides.
If you choose to use pesticides around your home or garden and want them to be organically acceptable, look for the EPA's three leaf logo with the NOP statement “For Organic Gardening” or the OMRI seal. The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is an independent nonprofit organization that reviews and determines whether inputs (fertilizers and pesticides) are allowed for organic use in accordance with one or more specific organic standards.
What does natural mean?
You may have come across pesticide products that contain “natural” ingredients such as oils of rosemary, peppermint, or thyme. The term “natural” is not defined by any federal program or organization. For this reason, the terms “natural” or “naturally” are not allowed on pesticide labels registered by EPA.
Certain ingredients, like many plant-based oils, are exempt from EPA registration because they are considered to pose little to no risk to human health or the environment. Since EPA does not register these products, the product manufacturers may use the terms “natural” or “naturally.”
What is less toxic?
Toxicity is the ability of a chemical to injure a person, plant, or other organism. The term less toxic is not officially defined by regulatory agencies, but it generally means a pesticide or practice presents fewer risks to people, the environment, and non-target organisms (such as pollinators, fish, and other wildlife).
Less toxic pesticides often include active ingredients that are organically acceptable but may also include others that are not.
Some less toxic pesticides that are often available in stores as organic formulations include pesticidal soaps (potassium salts of fatty acids), horticultural oils (vegetable or petroleum oils), botanicals (neem, limonene, pyrethrin), minerals (diatomaceous earth, sulfur, boric acid), and biologicals (Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), spinosad).
While you may assume products labeled organic or natural are better for you and the environment, that is not always the case. All pesticides, whether they're less toxic, natural, or organic, can be harmful to the environment and non-target organisms when not used appropriately. Review the product label and look at the active ingredients listed.
For more information about specific pesticide active ingredients, see the UC IPM Pesticide Active Ingredient database or visit the National Pesticide Information Center's (NPIC) pesticide fact sheets.
[Originally featured in the Summer 2024 edition of the Home and Garden Pest Newsletter]
/h2>/h2>/h2>- Posted by: Gale Perez
WESTMINSTER, Colorado – April 4, 2023
To comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), EPA will evaluate the potential effects of pesticides on federally threatened or endangered species and their critical habitats and then recommend mitigation strategies developed in partnership with other federal agencies.
Examples include requirements for vegetative filter strips, field borders and grassed waterways, terracing, contour farming, cover cropping, mulching, the adoption of no tillage or reduced tillage strategies, and the safe disposal of excess seed that has been treated with pesticides. Once finalized, such protections will become part of the formal registration review process for various geographic regions and for various groups of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.
“The EPA's recent reregistration of the Enlist One and Enlist Duo herbicides provides a preview of what's in store,” says Bill Chism, Ph.D., WSSA's ESA committee chair. “The updated product labels include new application timing requirements designed to reduce runoff, leaching, spray drift and other off-target impacts on threatened and endangered species and their critical habitats. In addition, the products can no longer be used in certain counties.”
The WSSA and it five affiliates – the Aquatic Plant Management Society, North Central Weed Science Society, Northeastern Weed Science Society, Southern Weed Science Society and Western Society of Weed Science – have submitted a joint response to the EPA's call for public comments on the ESA workplan update. Selected highlights from that response are below:
- The organizations suggest that broader adoption of new agricultural technologies could support the EPA's objectives and reduce total herbicide use. Examples include steam weeding, electrical weeding, unmanned drones, vision-guided systems for targeted precision spraying, and harvesters that can destroy weed seeds. In addition, hooded sprayers can reduce the risk of spray drift.
- The EPA plans to post detailed application instructions online, rather than relying solely on the printed product label. A 2021 USDA survey, though, shows only 67% of farms own or use computers and only 77% own or use a smartphone. “It is clear one size doesn't fit all,” Chism says. “Multiple outreach channels and carefully tailored strategies will be needed to ensure the new requirements are successful at the local level.”
- The organizations recommend that EPA use greater granularity when it comes to defining areas where certain pesticides are prohibited. One example: Enlist Duo was banned in 11 counties in southern Georgia to protect two species of endangered salamander that prefer moist woodland habitats.
“After an in-depth evaluation at the field level, we are finding little overlap of agricultural fields and the salamander or its critical habitat,” says Stanley Culpepper, Ph.D., of the University of Georgia and current WSSA past-president.
Culpepper says these findings point to the importance of working closely with regulatory partners to improve the process. “Removing critical tools from farmers on a county-level basis or inserting infield buffer restrictions can threaten the sustainability of family farms – highlighting the importance of making sure sound science is available when making ESA regulatory decisions,” he says.
Bill Chism urges growers and land managers to become familiar with the EPA's updated workplan and with how to access important application instructions online through EPA's Bulletins Live! Two. “Most importantly, be prepared to incorporate any mitigation strategies required by EPA,” he says.
From the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) website: https://wssa.net/2023/04/wssa-encourages-growers-to-act-now-to-understand-the-impact-of-epas-endangered-species-act-compliance-initiatives/
- Author: Belinda J. Messenger-Sikes
- Author: Lisa A. Blecker
[From Pests in the Urban Landscape blog]
Insecticide foggers, also known as total release foggers or “bug bombs” (Figure 1), are popular products widely available in many retail nurseries and garden centers as well as drug stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores. These easy-to-use products may seem to provide an easy way to kill a lot of bugs fast and may be viewed as more convenient and cheaper than hiring a pest management professional. But do they work?
Are Foggers Effective?
Foggers can be used effectively to kill pests that are flying around or resting on surfaces, like flies, but there are better long-term and more effective ways to manage these pests. Unfortunately, foggers are rarely effective for control of crawling insects like cockroaches, fleas, and bed bugs that can easily hide in crevices or beneath household items, escaping direct exposure. For best results, the active ingredients in these products must make contact with the pests. Insects that spend most of their time hiding will not be significantly affected by insect foggers. Even a small piece of fabric may be enough to protect bed bugs from the pesticide fog created by these products.
Since foggers leave a toxic residue on treated surfaces, users might see a few dead roaches after application, but many active ingredients in foggers are known to be repellent and may even drive pests deeper into wall voids and other hard-to-reach locations, sometimes even spreading them to other rooms. Pesticide resistance is another reason that insect foggers may not work. Many insect foggers contain pyrethrin or pyrethroid insecticides and some populations of household pests are known to be resistant to these pesticides.
Improper Use Can Cause Injuries
Foggers can also make people sick if they're exposed. In studies by the CDC, the most commonly reported symptoms after exposure were cough, upper respiratory pain or irritation, difficulty breathing, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain or cramping. Most of the time, the symptoms were mild and didn't require medical treatment, but there are reports of more serious injuries and people have even died from injuries related to foggers. According to these studies, injuries frequently happen when users don't read the instructions on the label. People can be also be exposed to the insecticide if they don't leave the premises after releasing the trigger on the product or return to their homes too early.
The labels of these products also instruct users to clean all exposed surfaces after use since these products leave pesticide residues. Failure to follow these instructions can lead to health hazards. The pesticide residues can be irritating, especially to occupants with asthma or other respiratory ailments.
For Safety, Follow the Label!
If you decide to purchase foggers, it is important to read and strictly following the instructions on the product label. You need to know the size of the room you're treating before going to the store, so you know how many foggers to buy. Otherwise, be sure to measure the size of the area you are treating before you begin fogging. More pesticide is not better; more can be dangerous.
For more information and safety precautions, see the US EPA website.
The National Pesticide Information Center also lists considerations and limitations when using foggers, along with several other resources for more useful information.
There are many effective ways to manage insect pests in the home. You can learn more on the UC IPM website. There you'll find practical, effective methods for controlling common household pests, without exposing yourself or other occupants of your home to pesticides.
[Original article published in the Winter 2020 issue of the UC IPM Retail Newsletter.]
/h2>/h2>/h2>- Author: Anne E Schellman
In Part I, we discussed why mosquitoes bite, and which mosquito species can spread West Nile and Zika virus. Now, let's talk about what mosquitoes need to reproduce, how to prevent them from breeding around your home, and best methods to protect yourself and your family while outdoors.
What do Mosquitoes Need to Breed?
The mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus and Zika need water to lay their eggs. Female mosquitoes can lay their eggs in even the smallest amount of water. Places in your yard that appeal to them include standing water found in ponds, garden pots, children's toys, or even pet water bowls. Eliminating these possible breeding spaces is key to mosquito control.
Watch the video “Don't Let Mosquitoes Breed in your Yard” from UC IPM for helpful tips.
Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
There's a plethora of mosquito control and prevention items for sale, but many are ineffective.
When outdoors, protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts, long socks, and a hat. Be aware that mosquitoes can bite through a thin layer of clothing. Also, choose and apply an effective EPA-registered mosquito repellent that contains DEET, picardin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin.
You may be tempted to use outdoor sprays to battle mosquitoes. However, this method is only temporary and doesn't help control the source of the problem. The best way to avoid bites are prevention and protection.
Resources: UC IPM Pests in the Urban Landscape. Zika, Mosquitoes, and Repellents. https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=21923
When you hear the term “pesticide,” what comes to mind? Do you understand what pesticides are and, more importantly, how to use them correctly?
A pesticide is any material (natural or synthetic) used to control, prevent, kill, suppress, or repel pests. “Pesticide” is a broad term that includes insecticides, herbicides (weed or plant killers), algaecides (algae and moss), fungicides (plant diseases), rodenticides, miticides (mite control), and molluscicides (snails and slugs). Even antimicrobial products (such as bleach and sanitary wipes) that kill bacteria on surfaces and chlorine added to pools are pesticides. If a product has a U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) Registration Number on its label, it is a pesticide. To make it more confusing, there are some pesticide products that are exempt from registration and won't have an EPA Registration Number.
Home-made mixtures that you make yourself to kill or repel pests are also technically considered pesticides. These include dish soap and water, garlic juice spray, hot pepper spray, vinegar and water, and many other such concoctions.
In future issues of the Retail IPM newsletter and this blog, we will discuss several pesticide topics, including the difference between organic, less toxic, and more conventional pesticides, what are “exempt” pesticides, using pesticides safely, pesticide storage and disposal, and reading and understanding labels.
For more information about pesticides, see the UC IPM Pest Notes: Pesticides: Safe and Effective Use in the Home and Landscape. To sign up for the newsletter, visit https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=11686.