Creeks Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Division
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| What We Can Do About
Pesticides & Fertilizers
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Studies show that the most commonly used pesticides are the ones most likely to cause water quality problems. More than half of the pesticides causing water quality problems are used in urban areas by residents, home gardeners, and pest control professionals in and around homes, schools, and businesses. Even small amounts of pesticides can be lethal to marine life, birds, and other life forms. Fertilizer can get washed into storm drains, when it rains or from over-irrigation, and flow directly into creeks and the ocean. This causes algae to grow, which uses up oxygen that fish needs to survive.
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Plan Ahead |
ü Plant native vegetation wherever possible, natives require less water and are less likely to require chemical fertilization. |
ü When planting a new lawn, choose a pest –and disease– resistant variety (ask your nursery). Or better yet, choose a grass alternative.
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Use Pesticides as a Last Resort |
ü Realize that it is not realistic to have a completely weed-free lawn. |
ü Instead of relying on conventional pesticides as our first line of defense against pests, consider them a last resort. |
ü Remember that baits and traps are available and offer a safer method of pest control |
ü First try spot treating, digging up the weeds and sprinkling grass seed on any bare spots so weeds are crowded out and can’t fill in. |
ü Don’t mow grass too short; taller blades can shade the soil enough to prevent some weed seeds from germinating. |
ü Use corn gluten to prevent certain broadleaf weeds from germinating |
ü Use non-toxic alternatives to pesticides and organic gardening techniques whenever possible. Click here for a list of local stores that offer safer alternatives to pesticides, fungicides and herbicides as part of the Our Water Our World program.
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Know What We Are Buying |
ü If you must use a pesticide, identify the pest and afflicted plant, and then choose a product labeled for use on the pest or plant (not all pesticides are effective against all pests). |
ü Buy ready-to-use products instead of concentrates. This avoids mixing and measuring that could result in spills. |
ü Aerosols may be the worst option you can choose for pest problems, they disperse chemicals in a way that significantly increases the risk of exposure to unintentional targets, including beneficial insects, birds, pets, and your family. |
ü Just because a product is purchased over-the-counter doesn’t mean that it has been tested for its ability to cause long term health or environmental damage.
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Use Sparingly and Follow Directions |
ü Always read the label and use only the recommended amount. |
§ If the label suggests the use of protective gear, heed the advice. The use of gloves, for example, offers protection against having chemicals enter your blood stream through the skin. |
ü Never apply pesticides or fertilizers right before rainfall.
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Store and Dispose of Pesticides Properly |
ü Pesticides should be stored in their original containers, well out of the reach of children or pets. |
ü All equipment used for mixing or application of a pesticide should be clearly marked and never used for any other purpose. |
ü It is only legal to dispose of pesticide containers in the trash if the container is less than five gallons in capacity and is completely empty (no free flowing liquid). |
ü Any water used to rinse application equipment should be applied like the pesticide. |
ü All excess hazardous waste and used containers should be disposed of at your local collection center.
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Buy Less |
ü Remember that more is not better and that any surplus will have to be stored or disposed of. |
ü If you know that you only need a small amount of something, first check to see if it’s available at your local hazardous waste collection center.
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To Learn More About Pesticides and How to Dispose of Them:
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National Pesticide Information Center
www.npic.orst.edu
800.858.PEST – 24 Hour Hotline
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Clean-Up
800.clean-up
www.1800CLEANUP.org
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Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center 805-882-3602 |
© Copyright 2003, City of Santa Barbara. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Send messages and inquiries to LSmith@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
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