08/30/2000 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Qepa rl a 9ncu tut a u /r� esot o f Gonseryatron service ,an the Dakota County So(1 and V7ater�Conservation R[stnct are offered of, a nondiscrumnatory basis without, i 4 . ;regard tio,race, color, national. origin:• religion, sex, age marital status, orhandica Trying to decide whether to use a pesticide, or how much to use? The following protocol can help you make these decisions. Do I really need a pesticide? Pesticides can provide relief from many pests, but they're not the answer to every pest problem. Although pesticides provide benefits, they can harm people, pets, and plants: If used incorrectly, they can also pollute air, soil, and water. Finding the cause of the problemis the first step in correcting it Many problems, despite appearing to be pest problems, are caused by other factors. Identification of the pest is key to controlling it. You can get help at the Dakota County Master Gardeners Plant Health Clinic every - Tuesday at 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Clinics are held June through August at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington. Contact the Extension office at 651 -480 -7700 for more information. How do I control the pest? Before applying pesticides, consider the alternatives for managing home and garden pests. Through your choice and care of plants, home mainte- nance practices, general housekeeping and pet care, many pest problems can be controlled. For instance, pest- resistant plant varieties can reduce pesticide use. Integrated Pest Management or IPM uses the best combina- tion of pest controlling methods and can reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides. Contact the University of Minnesota Extension in Dakota County at 651 -480 -7700 and ask for the Master Gardener program. How do I protect my health? Pesticide labels contain a lot of information, often in very small punt. Don't let that keep you from reading them — the information is important. Read the label before you buy, apply, store, or dispose of any pesticide. Follow safety precautions and never apply more than is needed. Keep pets, children and people away from the treated area as directed by the label. How do I protect the environment? Certain pesticides are toxic to animals, including pets, insects, fish, and birds. Does the area you are working in slope to a storm drain connected to a pond or wetland? Do birds commonly feed in the garden where you want to use a pesticide? Read label warnings and check weather conditions before any applications. Additionally, the label may prohibit use of the pesticide in certain areas to avoid ground or surface water contamination. How much do I buy and when do I apply? Making a decision about how much pesticide to buy is not always easy. For some products, you must know the size of the area to be treated. In any case, only buy as much as you need at the time to eliminate storage and disposal problems. You can always buy more later. The conditions needed for the pesticide to be effective may vary. Some pesticides affect only a certain stage in the life cycle of a pest, making timing for the application very important. The label may also give instructions on what you should do after application, such as avoiding mowing or watering. • How do I safely dispose of pesticides? Disposal of pesticides and other household chemicals can lead to enviro mental contamination. Many pesticide disposal problems can be avoid by buying pesticides only when you truly need them. Dispose according to the label and never pour them down a storm drain, home drain, or toilet. The Dakota County Eco -Site accepts household hazardous wastes such as pesticides. Disposal is free. Contact the County Environmental Management Department at 952 -891 -7020 for more information.