Tweet for Pesticide-Free

Help spread the word on twitter about ways people can be pesticide-free with these messages.

-Have you heard? Pesticides aren’t needed for a beautiful lawn. Be pesticide-free! VIDEO: http://short.cc/18r  #BePesticideFree #Sask

-Is the grass greener on the other side? Follow these 10 easy steps to a naturally beautiful lawn. INFO: http://bit.ly/13riCMH #BePesticideFree

-The ants go marching one by one… Have a problem with ants in your yard? Helpful tips here: http://bit.ly/VQPRVl  #BePesticideFree

-What did one dandelion say to another? Take me to your weeder! Weeding dandelions can be easy. INFO: http://bit.ly/Y2QDeo #BePesticideFree 

-Feeling hot hot hot? Cayenne pepper can be used as an alternative to pesticides. VIDEO: http://short.cc/198 #BePesticideFree 

-Don’t forget about Fido!  And we don’t mean your cell phone.  Info: http://bit.ly/WkjaSs #BePesticideFree

-What’s all the BUZZ about? Getting rid of wasps naturally is easy. INFO: http://bit.ly/YKOk3L  #BePesticideFree

-You can create a healthy and vibrant lawn & garden by following this calendar. We really DIG that! INFO: http://bit.ly/WuoFJb #BePesticideFree

-Be Pesticide-Free! Want to learn about more natural ways to dealing with pests in your lawn and garden? INFO: http://bit.ly/ZMIMIM #BePesticideFree

 

Check out this story on a pesticide study taking place at the University of Regina with the help of students at Miller High School in Regina. For the original story visit here

U of R begins pesticide research study

By Terrence McEachern, The Starphoenix June 16, 2014

 

A group of university professors, high school students and teachers are hoping that a new research project will lead to the reduction, and ideally elimination, of pesticide use on the University of Regina campus.

"I would like to eliminate them because any pesticides that we have on our landscape here at U of R, they're tracked into the university and then they're circulated," said Tanya Dahms, a professor of biochemistry at the university.

On Saturday, students from Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School and university staff began collecting data - such as plant species diversity, insect counts and soil composition - from two plots of grass measuring 100 cm by 50 cm in the academic green area behind the Kinesiology Building.
One of the plots will be treated with pesticides whereas the test plot will be treated naturally through a plant health care model.

That alternative model involves spraying the plot with compose tea and reintroducing bacteria into the soil. Pesticides reduce bacteria in the soil, which is vital for healthy soil structure and decomposing plants so nutrients can be released into the soil.

The test plot will also be mowed less and not as short as the rest of the lawn. Cutting grass short contributes to weed development, Dahms explained.

In the fall, data will be collected again from the plots and compared to Saturday's baseline results in order to form a comparison.

Dahms wants to see the research expanded into more plots for study so eventually
researchers will be in a position to recommend the natural care model to university administrators as the normal practice for lawn care. One of the drawbacks is that the plant care model can be more costly than pesticide use because additional labour is required to pull weeds.

For Heather Haynes, the research project is a great opportunity for 14 of her science students to get handson experience in the field and in the lab.

"This is inquiry learning at its finest. We have a hypothesis, we have the tools and we have our brains. Let's put them all together and let's see if we can find out some answers," said Haynes, a teacher at Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School.

"Nobody who is working on this research team - whether you're a professor or a teacher or student - knows what the outcome is going to be," she said.

"It's science. We're all acting as scientists all together. So, clearly, what more does a science teacher
want for her kids?"

-Brett

Be Pesticide-Free: Managing Dandelions Naturally

What did one dandelion say to the other dandelion? Take me to your weeder! Have a problem with dandelions? Weeding them can be easy. 

 

Preventative Controls

Sometimes you just have to give it some elbow grease. Digging is key since dandelions have a simple yet deep tap root system.

1. Weed early in the spring. Pull dandelions when they first pop up. The roots will not be very extensive and you can get them before they spread. Remember to extract the whole root.

2. Be consistent. Don’t let the roots take over.  You will have to dig throughout the season.

3. Regularly mow, rake or pick the heads off your dandelions (before they go to seed) throughout the season to prevent maturation and distribution of dandelion seeds.

4. Discard the roots in a bucket and throw them into the garbage. Dandelions can take root everywhere. Composting dandelions isn’t recommended because some seeds may not fully compost, and could re-grow in your lawn or garden.

5. Use Digging tools to access the roots that don’t require too much bending.  

Organic Controls

There are many pesticide-free alternatives that can be used on dandelions. 

1. Maintain a healthy, enriched soil.

2. Pour boiling water over the affected areas to kill the plant, and then remove the dead plant so that it does not re-bloom.

3. Spot treat with a 5-10% solution of vinegar.  

4. Sheet mulching: If dandelions are covering a large area in your yard, you can cover the plants to prevent the photosynthetic process needed to sustain the plant. 

5. Corn Gluten Meal (CGM) can be used as a preventative measure.  CGM is a protein produced from the by-product from the corn milling process that can be found at most garden centres. When spread over a lawn or garden area, CGM will suppress germination.  Remember, it will also prevent grass seed growth; do not spread CGM directly after over-seeding your lawn or your grass seeds will not germinate. 

To learn more about managing your dandelions naturally, please visit: http://www.environmentalsociety.ca/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Fact_dandelion_2011.pdf   

-Brett

Be Pesticide-Free: Pesticides and Human Health

What is a Pesticide?

A pesticide is a chemical or microbiological substance that is designed to kill pests.
Pesticides by definition are toxic because they poison the pest. Pesticides include
insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides. Common examples are
RoundUp, Killex, and 2,4-D. Lawn pesticides do not prevent pest problems; they only try
to control them once they are present.

Exposure

Pesticides are all around us. They can be found in our soil, air, food, and even mother’s
breast milk1. According to Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan residents have the highest
percent use of lawn and garden pesticides in Canada. In 1994, 37% of Saskatchewan
residents used lawn and garden pesticides, which has increased to 46% in 2007.2
Comparing this to the national average of 31% in 1994 and 25% in 2007, the use of lawn
and garden pesticides in Saskatchewan has not followed the national trend.3 As a
result, residents of Saskatchewan have a higher risk of exposure to lawn and garden
pesticides.

1 Natural Resources Defense Council (March 2005). Health Milk, Health Baby; Chemical Pollution and Mother’s Milk.
[www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/] Retrieved on January 30, 2013 2 Statistics Canada (February 2008) Households and the Environment Survey 2006. Catalogue No. 11-526-X.
[http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-526-x/11-526-x2007001-eng.pdf] Revisited on February 26, 2013
3 Statistics Canada (July 2009) Households and the Environment Survey 2007. Catalogue No. 11-526-X.
[http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-526-x/11-526-x2009001-eng.pdf] Revisited on February 26, 2013

Human Health

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has identified acute health
effects in humans from the use of pesticides that include nausea, eye, skin, respiratory
and throat irritation, muscle spasms, and even death4. In 2012, the Ontario College of
Family Physicians released its finding on pesticides and the adverse risks they pose to
human health. Their review of current scientific data shows consistent links to serious
illnesses such as cancer, reproductive problems and neurological diseases5. Children
are most at risk as they typically play in grass and dirt, and put toys and hands in their
mouths, activities that significantly increase their exposure to pesticides.
Pesticides are used more often then you may realize. You and your family can come
into contact with pesticides in many ways, including:

· Pesticides used in and around our homes and gardens · Pesticides used on our pets · Pesticides used in our communities and in our environment · Pesticides used on our food · When we work with pesticides
Health risks associated with pesticides depend on the toxicity of the active pesticide
ingredients and the amount of exposure to those pesticides. In addition, pregnant
women are more sensitive to the effects of pesticides. During pregnancy, the baby’s
brain, nervous system, and organs are developing rapidly and can be more sensitive to
the toxic effects of pesticides.6

4 Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (November 18, 2010). What kinds of health effects are associated with pesticides? [http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/pesticides/health_effects.html]. Revisited on January 31, 2013 
5 Ontario College of Family Physicians (2012). 2012 Systematic Review of Pesticide Health Effects.
[www.ocfp.on.ca/docs/pesticides-paper/2012-systematic-review-of-pesticide.pdf] Retrieved on January 30, 2013.
6 National Pesticide Information Center (October 2012) Pesticides and Human Health.
[npic.orst.edu/health/humhealth.html]. Revisited on February 12, 2013

How to Protect You and Your Family

· Pesticides are toxic. Be aware of when they are sprayed in your community, school
yards, sports fields, parks, golf courses, and public green spaces.
· Do not use pesticides on your own lawn and garden. · Ensure items such as children’s toys, pet’s bowls, clothing, and food are put away
before pesticides are applied by you, your neighbour, or a lawn care specialist.
· Keep kids and their toys indoors when pesticides are being applied and afterward. · Reduce your exposure to pesticides. Ask questions and be informed regarding
precautions, warnings, and wait times.
· Read the label first!If you are using pesticides on your lawn or garden, make sure to
select the appropriate product for your problem and follow proper health and safety
procedures.
· Do not spray your pets. · Get involved!Work with community organizations to reduce pesticide use in your community.
· Check if your lawn care company offers alternatives to pesticide management
approaches that are pesticide-free.

Remember

“Chemical pesticides are not a cure-all. Insects and weeds will never be eradicated.
One no-cost, no-effort substitute to pesticides is to develop a certain level of tolerance
for some weeds and other pests”.7

To learn more about alternatives to using pesticides, please visit the
Saaskatchwan Environmental Society website or pesticidefreeforlife.ca

-Brett

Manitoba Cosmetic Pesticides Legislation Introduced

Some good news came out of Manitoba this week. The province has introduce legislation that will ban the use of cosmetic pesticides on the following:

• lawns;
• adjoining sidewalks and patios;
• school grounds, playgrounds and playing fields; and
• health-care institutions and child-care centre grounds. 

Use of pesticides would still be allowed on farms and for forestry purposes. As well, things like gardens, golf courses, or usage on dangerous weeds with no alternatives will be allowed.

For more information on the new legislation visit this link:

http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=&item=30526

Brett

Spring is Coming!

After a long and very cold winter it seems like Spring is finally here!

This means it won't be long before people need to start looking after their lawns and gardens and getting them ready for the upcoming year. To help you in this process we are going to be posting a series of helpful documents and links that will get your lawn and garden ready for the year so it can look beautiful, all while avoiding the use of harmful cosmetic pesticides.

Today, start by reviewing ways you can keep you lawn looking great by viewing these tips from the Saskatchewan Environmental Society here.

And for more information on pesticides visit the Canadian Cancer Society website here.

-Brett

Federal Government Investigations

It may be the middle of Winter and spring can still seem far off, but the Federal Government has made an important announcment saying that it will investigate a number of pesticides to see what type of impact they have on our environment and our health.

The pesticides being reviewed include:

• Bromoxynil, often used cereal crops and vegetables.
• Carbaryl, often used in flea collars and ant powder.
• Chlorthal-dimethyl, often used on weeds in gardens, also a possible carcinogen
• Trifluralin, herbicide that is toxic to fish and used widely on the Prairies
• Trichlorfon, an insecticide approved for woodlots, Christmas tree plantations and cattle, which has been linked to human nerve damage.
• 2,4-D, which has been banned in Norway over health and environmental concerns. 

 To learn more visit this link

Brett