- Author: Lauren Fordyce
You bought a pesticide product that needs to be mixed with water before applying. Did you accidentally mix up too much and now have leftover pesticide? What should you do with it?
Before mixing or applying a pesticide, always read the pesticide label to see where the product can be used (i.e., what plants it can be applied to) and apply any excess mixed pesticide in these sites. For example, if you applied an insecticide to control aphids on your roses and you have leftover product, check the label to see if you can apply the remaining product to your tomato plants that also have aphids.
Leftover pesticides should never be poured down the drain, including indoor drains, outdoor drains, or gutters/storm drains. Pesticides should also never be burned, buried, or dumped on the ground as a means of disposal.
Never store leftover mixed pesticides in sprayers or other application equipment. Always store pesticides in their original container with the product label intact, so you know the safety precautions associated with that product.
If you have pesticide containers that are full or partially full and you need to dispose of them, take them to your local Household Hazardous Waste Disposal (HHW) site. To find a HHW site nearest you, contact your solid waste service provider or 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) or visit www.earth911.com.
To avoid mixing up more pesticide than you need, measure precisely following the rate listed on the label. It's better to make a second batch if you need more than have leftovers! You can also purchase ready-to-use (RTU) pesticides that are sold pre-mixed, usually in spray bottles.
Visit Pesticides: Safe and Effective Use in the Home and Landscape to learn more.
- Author: Saoimanu Sope
Ahmed El-Moghazy joined UC Agriculture and Natural Resources as a UC Cooperative Extension food safety specialist in February and is based at UC Riverside. Food safety, according to El-Moghazy, are measures that ensure food is free from harmful contaminants, prevent foodborne illnesses and is safe to eat. El-Moghazy is responsible for assisting California farmers and food processing facilities to enhance food safety practices by training appropriate personnel and addressing food-safety issues on their farms.
As the principal investigator for the 2-SAFE Lab at UC Riverside, El-Moghazy is investigating the accuracy and applicability of point-of-use biosensor technology. The small, lightweight and easy-to-use sensor can be used while out in the field or in a packing house to test contamination of liquids such as irrigation and washing water or solids like food samples.
Testing for foodborne pathogens traditionally takes two to three days and the process can be costly. The biosensor technology that El-Moghazy is using is inexpensive and can provide results within one work shift, which allows businesses that grow fresh produce to confirm the safety of their products before sending them to the market.
The alternative, selling contaminated food to consumers, is not only detrimental to human health, but can ruin the reputation of businesses, making way for unanticipated costs associated with recalling contaminated products and regulatory consequences including fines and sanctions.
El-Moghazy is also developing the next generation of antimicrobial surface coatings and materials that can rapidly control the foodborne pathogens and hinder the transfer of harmful bacteria from contaminated food to non-contaminated food.
El-Moghazy is optimistic that his research can safeguard public health, reduce the burden of foodborne illness and protect the integrity of businesses. Although El-Moghazy serves the entire state, he is dedicating a large part of his needs assessment and efforts in Southern California where high-value specialty crops such as avocados and citrus are grown.
"Did you know that one in every six Americans get sick from eating food contaminated with a foodborne pathogen?" asked El-Moghazy. Understanding the fatality of foodborne illnesses, El-Moghazy believes that increasing awareness through education is an essential aspect of his role. "It's true, but not many people realize this, or that 40% of foodborne illnesses stem from fresh produce."
To protect consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires farms with a certain level of annual sales (adjusted for inflation) of fruits and vegetables typically consumed raw to have one employee who has completed an FDA-approved Produce Safety Rule Grower Training.
In addition to certified trainings, El-Moghazy offers technical assistance to ensure growers comply before and after inspections, as well as resources for several topics including produce safety, agriculture water, flooding, soil amendments, worker health, hygiene and training and postharvest handling and sanitation. He can also assist in developing food-safety plans and other general farm food-safety protocols. His technical expertise covers all aspects of food production and supply including irrigation water quality, hygiene of harvesting tools and transportation.
Before joining ANR, El-Moghazy completed two years as a visiting scholar in the UC Davis Biological and Agricultural Engineering department before continuing as a postdoctoral fellow in the UC Davis Food Science and Technology department for 5 years. Much of his work was rooted in the development of biosensors and antimicrobial materials for food safety. While in Davis, he collaborated with local farms and food processing companies on food safety research and extension.
El-Moghazy earned a Ph.D. studying developmental biosensors for food safety applications to detect pesticides residues from a joint program offered by University of Perpignan in France and Alexandria University in Egypt. He also earned a master's degree in developmental biobased fungicides and a bachelor's in agriculture science from Alexandria University. Finally, he completed a fellowship at the Institute of Plant Protection, Szent Istvan University in Hungary, where he studied how to extend shelf-life of fresh produce using biomaterials.
El-Moghazy is based at UC Riverside in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology. He can be reached at aelmogha@ucr.edu or (951) 827-0257.
- Author: Birgitte Elbeck, UCCE Master Gardener
If your garden is on the coast, you might easily choose to bypass this article.
Please read the closing paragraph on Coastal wildfire concerns before moving on to another topic, you may find it useful.
Introduction:
To the extent that the Humboldt and Del Norte Master Gardeners have a slogan, it is ‘Right Plant Right Place.' Four little words to encompass all the considerations for predicting whether a plant will do well in a specific spot in your garden. Typically, these considerations center around your particular location's climate and microclimate, soil, water, amount of sun, and the maintenance that you will be able to give the plant. These considerations are fundamental for creating a healthy and enjoyable garden. However, with the advent of increased wildfire activity in California and around the world, additional constraints are needed in your garden landscape in order to increase the odds that your home will remain safe from wildfire. Satisfying all the constraints in a single season may feel too overwhelming, so you may want to initially pick some items to fix that you feel will make your specific situation safer. Home hardening efforts should always be considered alongside the Fire-wise enhancements to your garden, but this article will not cover those aspects.
Basic principles for creating a Fire-wise & sustainable landscape:
- Adhere to the evolving Defensible Space guidelines.
- Keep your garden's unique aspects in mind.
- Select all plants carefully and place them in locations that will give them adequate room to grow.
- Design for ease of maintenance.
- Communicate and cooperate with your neighbors.
- Do what is required by law. Scientific research on the new reality of wildfire is ongoing; use science to inform your decisions.
Defensible Space and placement of plants:
The premise for fire-wise landscaping is quite simple: change the garden and landscape around the home in order to protect the structure. However, the implementation can sometimes be tricky, often involving cooperation with neighbors, and it always requires maintenance and vigilance over time to remain effective. Talking to neighbors and coordinating within the immediate neighborhood should be an essential part of your efforts. Remember, by working together, you can create a safer environment for everyone in your community.
The concept of ‘defensible space' is a cornerstone of fire-wise landscaping, as promoted by CalFire and other fire-related agencies. It involves managing zones of varying levels of fuel reduction, with the most stringent reduction near the home, and considering the relative placement of landscape components. This approach outlines prudent spatial landscaping constraints, particularly in rural settings with ample space and trees. Its primary focus is on halting the path of fire toward your house and ensuring the safety of firefighters operating in your vicinity during a fire. In your garden design, it is advisable to think in terms of ‘islands' of plantings rather than continuous hedges or other plantings.
There are three zones to take into consideration.
- Zone 0 is the first 5 feet out from the house, focusing on intense fuel reduction to protect against ember attacks. Zone 0 is a recent addition, and you may still find websites, etc., that do not reference it. It was implemented after it became clear that an exceptionally large percentage of structure fires start from flying embers that get caught immediately next to a building. Such flying embers can come from a blaze that is a mile or more away, making it difficult to predict when and where embers will land.
- Zone 1 covers from 5 feet to 30 feet. The goal is to reduce fuel sources and includes removing all dead plants, leaves, and grass, pruning overhanging branches and flammable plants and shrubs near windows, allowing 10 feet between trees,
- Zone 2 from 30 feet to 100 feet. The goal of Zone 2 is to reduce fuel sources.
The illustration below shows the bands of zones. The defensible space rules are still evolving, and your best bet is to get updated information at Defensible Space | CAL FIRE.
For more information about defensible space https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/defensible-space/
Plant spacing of grasses, shrubs, and trees is key in slowing the spread of wildfires. Spacing varies depending on the slope of the land, plant and tree type, and size.
Wildfires travel at different speeds based on many factors, but it is generally true that fire moves up-slope at a fast pace. If your home has a slope down from it, then you will need to pay attention to the spacing of trees and other plants. The steeper the slope, the more generous the spacing needs to be. Note in the sketches below that if there are bushy ‘ladder fuels' under the trees, then the distance is not from one tree trunk to another, but instead from one ‘island' to another.
SLOPE & DISTANCE Between Plantings
Vertical spacing
- Trim branches at least 6 feet from the ground.
- Increase vertical space between shrubs and trees to prevent the fire from climbing. For example, a 5-foot shrub near a tree will need 15 feet of clearance to the tree's lowest limbs.
Horizontal spacing
- Is determined by the slope of the land.
- The steeper the slope, the greater the distance between plants/trees. See the illustration on the right.
Plant placement and maintenance are more important than plant attributes, and plant attributes are more important than specific plant species:
As you have seen, Defensible Space is focused on spatial considerations. The specific plants for your Fire-wise garden should be chosen based on their physical characteristics and on the amount of care that you plan to give them. Keeping up with irrigation, pruning, and leaf litter cleanup is essential, even with plants that are less fire prone. All plants can burn, regardless of how they are marketed!
Plant attributes: |
Comments: |
Does the plant contain a lot of waxes, oils, and resins? |
A plant with more waxes, oils, and resins will likely be more flammable and release more energy when it burns. (Conifers are generally high in resins.) |
What is the leaf moisture content? |
Leaves with higher moisture content are less flammable than drier leaves. (See more on succulents below.) |
Does the plant have an open-growth structure? |
A densely structured plant can capture embers and may be more likely to ignite. It will also be more likely to be easily ignited by a surface fire. (See the Crape Myrtle example below.) |
How fast does the plant grow? How tall will the plant grow? |
A plant that grows quickly may exceed growth expectations and require greater maintenance. Pruning, maintenance, and cleanup can have a greater impact on whether a plant ignites than does the type of plant it is. |
Does the plant shed bark, leaves, or needles?
|
A plant that sheds bark or branches is likely to need more regular maintenance-related cleanup to reduce fuel accumulations on the ground. (Example: Eucalypts) A plant that has a big leaf or needle drop will result in the need for more maintenance-related cleanup on the property, on the roof, and in rain gutters. |
Is the plant native to the area? |
Native plants, pollinator-friendly, or drought-tolerant plants can be good choices for those labeled qualities, but these features do not directly translate to fire resistance. |
Fire resistant plants.
Labeling any plant as fire-resistant is an oversimplification of a complex problem. There can also be confusion as to whether a plant is resistant (does not easily catch fire) or resilient (has the ability to survive or has seeds that will survive). So, relying on lists of fire-safe plants is not the best thing to do. Below are just a couple of examples of plants that you may find on such lists, with some corresponding comments.
Crape myrtle (Lagerstromia indica)
These beautiful small trees (or bushes) tend to develop suckers that, if not removed, can form a dense cluster. The crowns can become dense, so they require ongoing pruning and thinning. Also, some gardeners like them positioned as hedges, which could cause a fire to travel quickly along the length of the hedge.
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp)
These native plants range from low, spreading plants to large bushes. They have a lot of appeal both because of their flowers and their striking bark. In a garden they are sometimes planted under larger trees, thereby creating a ‘ladder' for a fire to reach the crown of a tree above it. If a manzanita burns, it burns hot, but in the wild they have an amazing ability to re-sprout from the root, making them resilient.
Succulents (numerous genera)
In zone 0, succulents may be a choice for those of us who are not excited about switching to hardscape around the house. There are many varieties of succulents that hug the ground and contain a lot of water in their fleshy leaves. It has been suggested, though the jury is still out on this, that such plants, when well maintained, may actually help keep swirling embers from reaching the base of your house. Sonoma County's Master Gardeners have a great page on succulents: https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Recommended_Plants_for_Sonoma_County/Succulents
Coastal wildfire concerns:
The counties of Humboldt and Del Norte are blessed with a long, beautiful coastline with a cool and moist climate, and most of our population lives near the ocean. It is the hotter, forested inland areas that have seen the bulk of the wildfires. However, the coastal communities should not be complacent, as indicated by this snippet (Chapter 14 Wildfire Hum Co-LHMP (ca.gov)):
Despite the generally damp climate prevailing in these forests, studies have suggested a historical fire return interval of 50 to 100 years in the northern part of [Humboldt County] and 12 to 50 years in the south. Several of the more destructive historical fires occurred on the coast around the Trinidad area, including the 7,432-acre Luffenholz Fire of 1908, the 17,527-acre A-Line Fire of 1936, and a 15,000-acre unnamed fire near Patrick's Point in 1945.
Resources:
Much of this article is based on a document from Humboldt/Del Norte's own Yana Valachovic, Forest Advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension and Humboldt – Del Norte County Advisor and colleagues: Reducing the Vulnerability of Buildings to Wildfire: Vegetation and Landscaping Guidance _UC ANR publication 8695.
CalFire
Defensible Space https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace and https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/defensible-space/
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
The University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM) has an exciting, newly updated resource to help you better understand pesticide active ingredients and the risks different active ingredients pose to people and the environment.
The Pesticide Active Ingredient Database is designed for urban audiences including the general public, Master Gardeners, nursery and garden center staff, pest control operators, landscapers, and more. The active ingredients included in this database can be found in many commonly available pesticide products in California. The database contains a variety of pesticide types, including insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, antimicrobial products, and more.
Each active ingredient in the database has its own page where you can learn what it is, how it works, and what pests it can control. You can also view example products available to the general public or licensed professionals, and a table displaying the potential hazards of the active ingredient. The potential hazards table includes toxicity information for water quality or aquatic wildlife, natural enemies, honey bees, and people or other mammals. A glossary of pesticide terms is available as well to help you understand pesticide terminology.
You can use this database to compare toxicity ratings of pesticides by clicking the “Compare Risks” link or button found on UC IPM's Pest Notes fact sheets. This will help you find the least-toxic pesticide active ingredients to control a specific pest.
We hope you find this newly updated resource helpful and share with others who may be interested.
[Featured in the Summer 2024 edition of the Home and Garden Pest Newsletter]
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
If you've used disinfecting wipes to clean surfaces in your home, an herbicide to control weeds in your garden, or insect repellents while on a hike, then you have used a pesticide. A pesticide is any material (natural, organic, synthetic, or even homemade remedies) that is used to control, prevent, kill, or repel a pest. Pesticides are designed to be toxic against certain pests like weeds, insects, or bacteria. But when they are not used properly, pesticides can also be toxic to people and pets, and harm the environment including water quality, pollinators, and natural enemies.
February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month, a time to raise awareness about pesticide safety. Keeping yourself, your family, and the environment safe from pesticides starts with reading and understanding the pesticide label. Below are some key things to look for and follow on the label.
- Where can you use it? Some pesticides can be used on both edible and ornamental plants, indoors and outside. But other pesticides may explicitly state that they should not be used indoors, on edible plants, etc. Always be sure the label states that it can be used where you intend to use it.
- Signal words. The signal words Danger, Warning, or Caution on a pesticide label indicate the immediate (acute) toxicity of a single exposure of the pesticide to humans. Pesticides with the signal word Danger are the most toxic. Look for products with the signal word Caution, as these pose less risk of toxicity.
- What should you wear to protect yourself? When handling most pesticides, you should usually wear a long-sleeve shirt, pants, closed-toe shoes, eye protection, and chemical resistant gloves (not gardening gloves). This prevents you from being exposed to the pesticide through your skin, eyes, lungs, or mouth. For some other pesticides, like insect repellents you apply to your skin, read and follow the label for specific instructions.
- How long after applying can you enter the treated area? For many home-use pesticides, you can enter the treated area when the pesticide has dried. Entering an area where the pesticide is still wet can expose you to those chemicals. Some pesticide products may state that you must wait a certain number of hours before reentering the area.
- When can you harvest treated produce? If you applied a pesticide to your edible plants it's important to know when it is safe to harvest and consume them. Many pesticides can be applied to edible crops up until the day of harvest, but some pesticides may require days or weeks to pass before it is safe to do so.
- How should you store the pesticide? Pesticides should always be stored in their original container with the lid tightly sealed, in a locked storage cabinet where children cannot access them. Improper pesticide storage can lead to exposure incidents, such as a child drinking a pesticide or spilling it on yourself.
Following the pesticide label can prevent unintentional pesticide exposure to people and pets. To prevent harm to the environment, you should also follow these general guidelines:
- Don't apply pesticides in rainy or windy weather. If it is actively raining and windy, or rain is expected, hold off on applying the pesticide. Applying during rainy or windy weather can cause the pesticide to be washed away, polluting stormwater and waterways. It can also cause drift, which is when pesticide droplets or dust move through the air. Drift can harm nearby plants, bodies of water, or people.
- Don't spray plants in bloom. Protect pollinators and natural enemies (good bugs) that feed on pollen and nectar by not spraying flowering plants.
- Dispose of pesticides at your local household hazardous waste (HHW) site. Pesticide containers that are partially or entirely filled should be taken to a HHW site to prevent environmental contamination. Empty, rinsed pesticide containers can be disposed of in the garbage or recycled if accepted in your area.
Happy National Pesticide Safety Education Month. Visit Pest Notes: Pesticides: Safe and Effective Use in the Home and Landscape to learn more about pesticide use and safety.