| Media Contacts: Veda Federighi, 916/445-3974 Glenn Brank, 916/445-3970 |
April 11, 2001 (01-09) |
(NOTE TO EDITORS: Attached are a fact sheet of consumer tips, and two graphics: a "Pest Control Around Your Home" drawing, and a "couch potato bug" with the suggested caption, "Don't make pests feel at home.")
SACRAMENTO -- They buzz and bite. Sprout to choke and blight. From mosquitoes and weeds to ants and fleas, pesky invaders are turning California homes, lawns, and garden into battlefields this spring. How will you fight back?
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation urges Californians to avoid "chemical warfare" with pesticides whenever possible. Instead, DPR recommends integrated pest management (IPM) that works with nature to make it difficult for pests to survive, while encouraging beneficial plants, insects, and animals to flourish.
"Californians who want to protect our environment can start in their own backyard," said DPR Director Paul E. Helliker. "Our research shows that good pest management decisions at home can preserve the environment many miles away. For example, suburban Sacramento residents who minimize pesticide use and apply a few simple IPM techniques are protecting sources of water that flow into San Francisco Bay."
DPR recently released new fact sheets to help consumers manage pest problems with IPM. Basic IPM tips include:
- Pull the welcome mat. Install screens on windows and doors, seal cracks and crevices around your residence to keep pests out.
- Don't feed and water them. Fix leaky plumbing, eliminate standing water inside and out. Store food in tightly sealed containers, and keep your kitchen clean.
- Lighten up on the lawn. Mowing high helps grass, keeps weeds down. Spread organic mulches around shrubbery and hand-weed the lawn instead of using herbicides. If lawn and garden pesticides must be applied, make spot treatments and delay watering to prevent runoff.
- Set realistic goals. Pests have been around longer than humans. Learn to live with a few weeds and bugs with the objective of limiting their damage to acceptable levels. California consumers have more IPM resources than ever to help them fight "green and clean" this spring. Consumers and community organizations have free online access to the "H20 Home to Ocean Workbook." DPR created this online guide to educate the public on pesticide use and disposal issues. Flyers, brochures, and other resource materials in both English and Spanish are available free at http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/specproj/h2o/index.htm.
More sources for IPM information:
- For DPR advice about least-toxic controls for Argentine ants, fleas, and lawn grubs, see http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/managing_pests/74_antgrub.pdf.
- The University of California's IPM Online site (www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/) offers extensive information on specific pests and pest management.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment" booklet and other information may be found at www.epa.gov/pesticides.
- UC Cooperative Extension offices and County Agricultural Commissioners are knowledgeable on local pest management strategies. They are listed in the local government pages of the telephone directory. Phone listings are also available online from DPR at www.cdpr.ca.gov/dprpestlnk.htm.
FLEX YOUR POWER! The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut energy costs, see our Web site at http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/.