Pesticides & Water Quality

A recent study on "The Quality of Our Nation's Waters" found that insecticides are detected more often, and usually in higher concentrations, in urban streams as opposed to agricultural streams. Most commonly found are diazinon, carbaryl (sevin), and malathion. All three are commonly used by homeowners across the country. Even though malathion and carbaryl are less toxic than diazinon, they are more water soluble -- meaning they wash off lawns and streets a lot more easily so more of it gets into our waterways. It doesn't take much of some pesticides to affect wildlife and water quality.

Consider this: Bifenthrin - another common ingredient in some over-the-counter pesticides - is toxic to aquatic life at 4 parts per trillion. That's like 4 square feet of tile on a kitchen floor the size of Indiana!

http://ourwaterourworld.org/pub/ow/PesticidesWQ.pdf

At NWA - LAndscape Architecture & Construction (http://www.nwalandscape.com/), we implement Integrated Pest Management. It means fewer pesticide applications. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest control that utilizes regular monitoring to determine if and when treatments are needed and employs physical, mechanical, cultural, biological and educational tactics to keep pest numbers low enough to prevent intolerable damage or annoyance. Least-toxic chemical controls are used as a last resort. Call for a consultation 805-684-1718.