This past summer, some creek friendly rules were enacted by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). DPR oversees the registration of all pesticides in California, giving the OK for their use. This new regulation limits the use of the most common pesticides on the market, pyrethroids, in a way that will likely have a significant effects on water and sediment quality in our creeks. These pesticides are used to kill ants, termites, fleas…. To say the least, they are used to eliminate bugs of all sorts.
What the new rules say:
- Spraying around the house for ants must be limited to 2 feet up the wall of a house and 3 feet out from the house.
- Spraying of pesticides can’t occur within 25 feet of a waterbody of any type
- Spraying cannot be done within 2 feet of an impervious surface (driveway, etc.)
- Pesticides cannot be applied at all when:
- It rains
- Where there is standing water
- In the gutter, near a sewer storm drain, and at other similar locations.
All the details can be found at: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pressrls/2012/120718.htm
Estimates made by engineers at UC Davis suggest that this regulation should result in a 80% or greater reduction in pesticides in our local creeks. This is a statewide regulation so Laguna Creek will see the benefits as well as 100s of other creeks throughout California!!!
If you use a structural pest control company to control pests at your house, check with them to be sure they are following the new rules. Perhaps consider alternatives to pesticides such as ant bait stations as well. They are quite effective for most common ants that we see. Information about the ant baits stations that really work can be found at: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7411.html#MANAGEMENT