- Author: Belinda J. Messenger-Sikes
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
New label changes will alter how fipronil is applied by pest management professionals (PMPs) in urban environments, particularly between November and February, during California's typical rainy season.
Concerns over continued detections in urban watersheds of fipronil, a broad-spectrum insecticide commonly used against ants and other pests, led to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) asking certain pesticide manufacturers to modify the labels of liquid formulations of fipronil to reduce negative impacts of this pesticide on the environment. These use restrictions apply to surface applications along foundation perimeters of structures.
Two nationwide changes to labels of liquid fipronil products were approved by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2017, with the goal of keeping this active ingredient out of watersheds. These new restrictions are:
- Do not allow application to enter or runoff into storm drains, drainage ditches, gutters, or surface waters.
- Do not apply directly to sewers or drains, or to any area like a gutter where drainage to sewers, storm drains, water bodies, or aquatic habitats can occur, except as directed by this label.
Pre- or post-construction subsurface termite treatments and bait formulations are exempt from the new limitations.
California-specific label changes
In addition to these nationwide label amendments, there are some California-specific label changes. These came about through discussions among DPR, the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC), the registrants of Termidor SC and Taurus SC, and the University of California, Riverside. The California-specific amended label was accepted by DPR in November 2017.
In California, surface applications of liquid fipronil products along foundation perimeters of structures will be further restricted as noted in Figure 2 and Table 1.
Research
UC Riverside considered these application restrictions in an applied research project and concluded that there were no significant effects on pest control efficacy for Argentine ants and that the runoff potential was low. During field efficacy trials conducted by PCOC using these new restrictions, there were no noticeable changes in callbacks observed.
Can I use products with the old label?
Containers with the revised label have been available in California since December 2017. According to California law, registrants can continue selling product with the old label until October 2019, which is 18 months after the US EPA's acceptance of the new label. Enforcement of product labels is based on the actual product label in hand. If an applicator legally obtained a product with the old label, then they can continue to use it under those label directions.
The new label restrictions for structural perimeter applications of liquid formulations are hoped to reduce the amount of fipronil detected in urban surface water systems.
- Author: Ben Faber
As summer continues to heat up, keep in mind that regulations remain in effect to reduce the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be emitted into the atmosphere by pesticides and other harmful chemicals and contribute to the amount of ozone or smog in the environment.
Calculators from the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) that determine the VOC emissions from fumigant and non-fumigant pesticides before application are available to help growers, pest control advisers, and pesticide applicators comply with the regulations. The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program provides a link to these calculators from each of the treatment tables in the UC Pest Management Guidelines. Click on the Air Quality – Calculate emissions button.
Take steps to reduce VOCs. Avoid emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations as they release the highest VOC emissions. Pesticide control advisers and growers can also reduce VOC emissions by employing IPM practices such as using resistant varieties, traps, exclusion, and biological control. When using pesticides, spot-treat and seek low-emission materials. Solid formulations, such as granules or powders, are best.
Check the fact sheet on the DPR web site for the most up-to-date-information on VOC restrictions and regulations.
- Author: Lennis Arriaga
MONTEREY COUNTY 4-H COUNCIL FOOD BOOTH DONATIONS
Let's start planning for the Monterey County Food Booth at Monterey County Fair to raise the maximum amount of money for our county's 4-H events. NOW is the time to start soliciting for donations! All donors names will be listed on a recognition banner. Click here to download the letter for financial donation requests. Please have check made payable to Monterey County 4-H Council and mail them to the 4-H Office, 1432 Abbott St., Salinas, CA 93901 - ATTENTION: FOOD BOOTH CHAIRMAN, by Wednesday, August 24, 2012. Meeting this deadline will ensure all names are listed on the banner for sponsor recognition. Please call JoAnn at 831-320-5507 if you have any questions.
Food Booth Meetings:
June 19 - 6:30pm mandatory meeting for schedules
July 17 - 6:30pm at the 4-H Office
August 21 - 6:30 cash register training
Monterey County 4-H:
Attention 4-H High School Seniors!
Each year Monterey County 4-H Leaders Council Awards up to $4,000 in scholarships of up to $1,000 each. You must be a Monterey County 4-H member graduating senior or not yet 19 years of age as of January 1. Scholarship applications are available on the county website. The website has a detailed list of qualifications for the scholarships. The scholarship applications are due Wednesday, August 1, 2012. There will be a mandatory in person interview on Friday, August 3, 2012. The interviews will be approximately 15 minutes and will be held at the county office. More specific times will be announced when the number of applicants is known.
Record Book Judging
This is the busiest part of the year… Fairs, Camps, Parties and of course your RECORD BOOK! Now is the time to get ahead of the game and start fi lling out your record books. The 4-H member’s County record book deadline this year will be August 8th, 2012. All members that would like to compete in the County Record Book competition must have their Record books turned into the County Office BY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8th, 2012. All record books that are turned in by the deadline will be judged on Saturday, August 18th, 2012. Record Book Judging will be held at the County Office on August 20th, 2011, @ 9:00 am. Reminder to all Club Leaders, you must provide 1 adult judge for every 5 books submitted (ex. 1-5 books submitted= 1 judge, 5-10 books submitted= 2 judges, 10-15 books submitted= 3 judges etc.) Please DO NOT send books without adequate number of judges. Clubs that do not meet the judging quota WILL NOT be judged. Judges are required to stay on the judging day until their assignment is complete. Here are a few more reminders of what is required in a County ready Record Book: Record Books must receive a Gold Seal at the Club level in order to
be entered in the County competition. Please DO NOT send books that have not met that requirement. 1st year members only are allowed to use pencil.
Record Books may be typed or written in ink. (1st year exception, pencil)
All Record Book forms must have ALL required signatures or the book will be disqualified. All books must have the required forms. Any missing forms will result in a disqualification. County Awards application (with all required signatures) Personal Development Report (with all required signatures) Missing Forms (any missing forms will result in a disqualification) Do Not include your ribbons, awards, or check stubs but write about them in your 4-H story & project report.
All record book forms can be found on the County website. If you have any questions, problems or concerns regarding record books, please feel free to contact Staci Wilkins at (831) 385-4917 home, cell (831) 596-1542 or via email staci_wilkins@hotmail.com your calls to the 4-H office will be directed to Staci. Thank you.