Colorado Commercial Pesticide Turf Pest Control (206) Study Guide

When Diagnosing Turfgrass Problems:

- Determine the kind of grass(es) involved

- Find out why, if possible, the problem occurred

- Determine if the problem is best corrected by management practices, soil modification, or pesticides

- Check to see if a chemical is labeled for both the turfgrass species and the problem

- Recommend good cultural practices that will assist in turfgrass recovery

Why Is The Goal Of Turfgrass Management To Product Healthy Turf?

Healthy turf can better tolerate environmental stresses, compete with weeds, and better recover from insect and disease damage. Ideal method is to practice integrated pest management (IPM)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Approach to pest management that relies on a combination of practices. Combines all available pest management practices to produce the healthiest turf possible by the most economical means with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Goal is not necessarily to eliminate pests totally, but to maintain pest populations at tolerable levels. Pesticides are often part of an IPM program, but are selected and applied responsibly to minimize or reduce health risks to other living organisms than those targeted

5 Steps Of IPM

1. Education - correctly ID and learn about pests habits, habitats, and life cycles

2. Monitoring - monitor pests and establish thresholds to observe if control is needed or not

3. Prevention - prevent pests from becoming a threat by managing healthy turfgrass (cultural methods, site selection, water and nutrient management, selecting pest-free turf, etc)

4. Intervention/Control - once control is established to be required and preventative methods are no longer effective or available, one can intervene with pest controls. Low toxicity controls are chosen first ideally

5. Evaluation and planning - Evaluate your IPM program and results from intervention/control efforts to determine if your control was successful or not and how it can be improved

Pest Management Methods

Soil management, turfgrass selection for a site, prevention and sanitation, cultural practices, physical or mechanical removal, and pesticides

Pesticide Tolerance vs Reistance

Resistance is defined as the acquired ability of a pest to survive and reproduce following exposure to a dose of pesticide normally lethal to the species.

Tolerance is defined as the inherent ability of a species to survive and reproduce after pesticide application. There has been no selection acting on the tolerant species

Single Pesticide Resistance

Resistance to only one site of action / mode of action

Cross Pesticide Resistance

Resistance to 2 or more pesticide families with the same SOA/MOA

Multiple Pesticide Resistance

Reistance to 2 or more pesticides with different SOAs/MOAs. Very difficult to overcome so it is best to prevent it from happening in the first place

Insects

defined by having their body divided into three regions - the head, thorax, and abdomen. Adult insects havethree pairs of legs and usually have developed wings attached to the thorax

Simple Metamorphosis

Eggs -> immature stages called nymphs -> adults. Nymphs of insects with simple metamorphosis feed in the same manner as the adult stage and are generally similar in form, although smaller and lack wings. Nymphs typically go through 3-5 sstages (instars), progressing to the adult form in the last stage

Complete Metamorphosis

Eggs -> larvae -> pupae -> adults. Larve are normally the most damaging to turf because they are trying to feed, grow, and become adults. When full grown, larvae transform to the pupal stage, later followed by becoming an adult

Arachnids

Most easilyl distringuished from insects by having four pairs of legs. Body is also seperated into only two body regions - the cephalothorx (region where head and area of the body containing the legs) and the abdomen on the hind end that contains most of the organs needed to digest food and to reproduce. Arachnids go through a similar type of metamorphosis to insects

Macrodecomposers

Help break down dead plant matter that accumulates in lawns and accelerate the recycling and return of the nutrients contained in organic matter. The diggins and tunneling of these animals also can be helpful in mixing organic matter wtih soil and improving drainage and aeration of soils

Endophytic Fungi

Fungi that grow within the plant, beginning at the seedling stage, and can help protect plants from insects that feed on the leaves. Can be found in many types of of turfgrasses

Major Classes Of Insecticides In Turf

Pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and anthranilic diamides

Contact Insecticide

Penetrate through the exoskeleton of the insect. Most common

Stomach Insecticide

Must be eaten by the insect to be effective

Systemic Insecticide

Systemic insecticides are capable of moving through the plant after they are picked up through applications to leaves and/or roots of turf and moved within the plant

Solubility In Insecticides

One of the most important performance characteristics of insecticides applied to turfgrass. Some insecticides, such as neonicotinoids, are fairly water soluble and do not adhere to organic matter such as thatch. This allows them to move in adequate amounts to kill root feeding insects. Other insecticides, such as pyrethroids, are not water soluble and bind to grass blades and thatch making them more appropriate for control of surface active insects and mites

pH At Which Some Insecticide's Lose Effectiveness

pH's above 7 can rapidly break down or hydrolize some insecticides. Consider an acidifier or buffer if spray tank is alkaline to boost effectiveness

How To Protect Pollinators From Insecticides

- Read label for bee hazard statements

- Never applying insecticide to turf with blooming weeds

- Mow blooming weeds prior to an application

White Grubs

White grubs are the immature or larval stage of insects belonging to scarab beetles. Larvae cause significant plant damage because their principal function is to feed, grow, and become adults. Important species found damaging turf include masked chafers, japanese beetles, and May and June beetles.

Diagnosis:

- lawn appears drought stressed or dying, usually late summer/early fall

- roots are clipped by larval feeding and turf may easily roll-up, like a carpet or newly laid sod

- soil under damaged turfgrass has been loosened

- skunks or other vertebrate predators are digging up the turf

- distinctive C-shaped larvae may be found when examing the root zone of the grass

Control consideration for white grubs:

- if possible, irrigate prior to treatment, to move grubs closer to the surface to improve control

- young larvae are much more susceptible to control than are older leaves

- applications must reach root zone

- immediately water the treated area after applicatiion of an insecticde to reduce surface residues and to initiate movement of the product into the soils where it can be more effective

- choose products that more readily penetrate the root zone, i.e., are water soluble and not readily bound to OM

- grow a healthy lawn to better tolerate damage that does occur

Masked Chafers (Annual White Grubs)

Adults are shiny, light-brown scarab beetles about 1/2 inch long with a dark band (mask) across the head and a spot on each side of the thorax. Larve are creamy white with 3 pairs of legs and typically curve their bodies into a distinctive C-shapre and are approximately 1 inch long when grown

Life cycle: start to emerge in June and continue for about 1.5 months. By early September, many of the grubs reach maximum size and can consume large quantities of roots.

Damage: caused by the larval stage that feeds under the turf cover, clipping roots

IPM Methods: Larger root massses better tolerate damage and greater root mass can be achieved by increasing mowing height. Best success with insecticides achieved when grubs are small (usually August) and feeding close to the surface

May And June Beetles

Largest white grub species found in lawns, reaching 1-1.5 inches long. The grubs turn into large scarab beetles

Life cycle: most May / June beetles are long-lived insects that have a life cycle that may last almost 3 years in the soil. Populations are somewhat synchronized, so every 3rd year produces more damage by these grubs when the period when most of the population is in year 2 of development

Damage: larval or grub stage feeds on grass roots, resulting in wilting and often death of infected areas. Treatment threshold suggested is 4 or more grubs per square foot

IPM Methods: extremely difficult to control with insecticides, particularly older and larger grubs. Similar management to chafers

Japanese Beetle

White grubs with C shaped larvea that have a creamy white body with a dark head. The adult japanese beetle is metallic green with coppery-brown wing tips. 5 small patches of short white hairs along each side of the abdomen that are not present on the false japanese beetle

Life cycle: one year life cycle. During their 4-8 week life span, female beetles lay about 40-60 eggs in moist soil, about 2-3 inches down in the turfgrass. Larvae feed on plant roots and are sensitive to soil drying. Late stage larvae are less sensitive and become full sized by early September. After remaining deeper in the soil during winter, the larvae resume activity in the spring and pupate. Adults emerge in early June typically and are most abundant from late June through August

Damage: food on roots of grass, similar to other turf damaging white grubs, causing plant death by drought. Adult stage can also be very damaging as it feeds on leaves, buds, and flowers often 'skeletonizing' leaves - primary concern in CO

IPM Methods: Limiting water during periods when eggs are being laid and early stage larvae are present (late June-July) can be useful. Several insecticides are presently available that can provide excellent control of Japanese beetle grubs in lawns, especially when applied during the egg-laying period in late June-July. Imidacloprid and clothianidin are common products. Chlorantraniprole is also a good reduced risk option. Biological controls as well

Bluegrass Billbugs

Snouth beetles about 1/3-1/2 inches in length. Larvae are white, legless grubs with brown heads. When fully grown, might superficially resemble small white grub larvae, but can be differentiated by the lack of legs. Common symptoms of billbug injury are areas of turf that appear droughty and do not respond to water. Heavy infestation can kill turf, usually in small patches. Characteristic sawdust-like frass is produced by the larvae. Damaged grass will break easily at the crown when pulled.

Life cycle: overwinters as an adult in protected areas, such as under debris near building foundations or the interface of turf and sidewalk. Eggs are produced and laid in late May, June, and early July. Larvae develop over several months and peak larval injury occurs in late June and July. When fully grown, larvae pupate a few inches deep in the soil and adults emerge in 2-3 weeks, feed briefly, and seek overwintering shelter. One generation per year

Damage: minor damage when cutting small holes in stems to insert their eggs but young "grubs" are primary damaging stage. Young grubs feed within the crown areas of the plant and kill it. Stems of infested plants are easily detatched at the soil surface. Older larvae feed in the lower crown and plant root zone.

IPM Methods: larval control not usually recommended. Treatments coinciding with adult abundance periods and prior to most egg laying can be effective approach. Insecticides most effective should be materials that are persistent and retained in the thatch layer, such as pyrethroids. Endophytic fungi lawns can reduce numers

Rocky Mountain Billbug

Simlar to bluegrass billbug but far more common in Colorado. Adult is considerably larger and darker than the bluegrass billbug and is differentiated by having a series of light colored, bi-lobed depressed markings on the back wing covers.

Life cycle is more complicated than bluegrass bilbug. Some insects overwinter as adults but most remain in the larval stage and feed throughout spring. Egg laying occurs through most of the growing season, peaking in June and July

Larger Sod Webworm

Light brown to greenish-gray in color with pronounced dark spotting

Life cycle: larger sod webworms overwinter in the soil as partially grown caterpillars. They become full grown in mid-spring when they often cause the most visible damage to lawn areas. Sod webworms produce a silken tunnel in the that and live within this webbing, moving out during the night to feed on grass blades. They can change to pupal stage within the tube. In approximately 1 week, sod webworm adult moths emerge from the pupa to mate and lay eggs. Eggs are laid at random, singly over the turfgrass. Flights are most commonl shortly after dark and the female moths scatter the eggs as they fly over lawns. Larger sod webworms have a second generation with peak larval feeding and damage in July. Moths have attractive markings often including silvery striping

Damage: damaging stage is the caterpillar or larval stage. Cause damage when they chew off grass blades near the soil surface and expose the crown to the sun. Adults do not damage turfgrass. In many cases sod webworms are controlled by natural enemies such as blackbirds and starlings feeding in the spring. Soapy water or other irritants can be used to sample sod webworms

IPM Methods: insecticides that adhere in surface residues, such as pyrethroids, are very effective against sod webworms. A selective insecticide that can be used is spinosad, a microbial insecticide that is effective against most caterpillars. Watering and light fertilizing (especially using higher P to stimulate root growth) usually allows damaged areas to outgrow daamge

Cranberry Girdler

A type of sod webworm that's caterpillars have an orange head with indistinct body markings. Adut moths are small, about 1/2 inch long, with pale straw-colored forewings and silvery gray hind wings.

Life cycle: active in late summer rather than spring like other species of sod webworm. Peak damage usuallly noticed in September. Adults are present in midsummer and there is one generation per year

Damage: caterpillars feed on grass roots rather than blades

IPM Methods: products need to be able to move into the root zone. Insect parasitic nematodes can be useful to control cranberry girdler larvae, as long as soil temps remain above 50F. Damage can be helped with extra cultural care to promote new growth

Bronzed Cutworm

Usually a minor pest in CO. Bronze is most common cutworm associated with CO turfgrass. Larvae generally are bronze with light yellow and orange striping. Full-grown larvae may reach almost 2 inches in length and are heavy bodies and greasy looking.

Life cycle: overwinter as eggs that hatch in late winter. Cutworm caterpillar stage feeds on the leaves or roots of the grass in spring. In May, bronzed cutworms become full growth, stop feeding, and pupate. Several months later, the adults emerge and lay eggs in August and September

Damage: can cause considerable damage during heavy infestations. Infestations result in a general thinning or failure to green up in early to midsring. Clipped leaves, piles of green-pelleted droppings, or larvae in the thatch are indications of cutworm activity. Peak feeding occurs at same time as early spring sod webworm feeding

IPM Methods: natural control organisms usually keep them in check. Consider insecticide treatments for cutworms only when caterpillar populations are sufficiantly abundant and threaten serious injury to turfgrass. Insecticides that can easily control cutworms, including spinosad and various pyrethroid insectices are effective as well as insect parasitic nematodes

Armyworm

Type of cutworm closely resembling the bronzed cutworms. The caterpillars range in color from green to brown, or even black, and have pale stripes

Life cycle: lay eggs at night. Eggs are laid in clusters of up to 100, with oviposition concentrated in wet areas with dense grass. The eggs hatch in about 1 week and the larvae feed on the leaves and crown area. Armyworms feed at night and move deeply into the thatch for cover during the day. Full grown larvae pupate with a cell constructed in the upper soil. Because the armyworm does not overwinter in CO, infestations depend on flights of the adult moths into the state during the summer

Damage: rarely damage turfgrasses

IPM Methods: similar to bronzed cutworms

Clover Mite

Smaller than the head of a pin, ofteh with a dark green color with red/orange legs. During some periods, especially when found indoors they are a brick-red color. Distinguishing characteristic of aduts in is the long pair of legs

Life cycle: overwinter in adult and egg stages, remaining inactive when temperatures remain cold. However, during warm periods in late fall or early winter adults become active and egg hatch may begin. After this period, feeding can continue as long as temps allow, slowing during low temperatures and snow cover

Damage: feeding on grass blades with their rasping-sucking moutparts. Areas immediately around the feeding site dry out and die, giving grass blades a speckled (stippled) appearance with meandering silvery lines on the surface of damaged plants. Clover mite injury is usually limited to areas adjacent to the South and West (i.e. sun exposed) sides of buildlings, trees, and shrubs. Clover mite injury to turf also occurs early in the season. Peak damage typically occurs in March and April, sometimes even earlier

IPM Methods: treatments for clover mite control should involve spot treatment of miticides to sites used by clover mites for feeding and egg laying. Adequate water can suppress clover mite populations as well as help susceptible lawn areas better tolerate injury

Banks Grass Mite

Smaller and lighter in color than clover mites. During most of the season it is green, while the younger stages are paler in color. When mites run out of food or environmental conditions are unfavorable they might turn bright red. Banks mites lack the elongated front pair of legs of the clover mite

Life cycle: overwinters as adult females. During cold months they are dormant, bright salmon colored, and rest at the base of the plants. When weather warms to allow activity, in late winter or early spring, the mites resume feeding and lay eggs. With favorable conditions, the life cycle can be completed in 8-25 days. Continuous, overlapping generations are produced during the growing season, but peak populations in turfgrass are present in spring

Damage: stippling similar to that of clover mites in early stages of feeding. Slight purpling of the injured grass blade may be observed. Under favorable conditions, drought stress, sever injury can progress rapidly

IPM Methods: Most difficult species of mite to control in turfgrass. Spends much of its time feeding and resting at the base of the grass plant, making them somewhat difficult to detect and inhibits effective control. Base all control programs on providing adequate water to the site

Systemic Disease

Spreads internally throughout the plant. Infection may take place in roots, leaves, or other plant parts and the pathogen or a toxin produced by the pathogen moves in the plant and produces symptoms in various plant parts

Localized Disease

Lesions at point of infection. Can increase in size, but will not give rise to new lesions. Each lesion is the result of an individual infection

Symptoms

Visible expressions or reactions of a plant because of disease. Symptoms include leaf spots, blights, stunting, and wilting

Signs

Visible structures of the pathogen. Mushrooms and ooze are two signs of plant disease

Abiotic Problems

Compaction, soil type, fertility, water, heat stress. Most common type of issue in Colorado

Biotic Diseases And Problems

Fungal diseases, thatch, algae, moss, dog urine. True biotic diseases of turfgrass does not occur frequenly in Colorado because of the lack of moisture. If they do occur, it is almost exclusively fungi or bacteria. Fungal diseases of turfgrass are seperated into groups based on their reaction to N status of the turf - high or low

Symptoms Vs Signs Of Fungal Diseases

Symptoms: leaf spots, distortions, stunting, wilting, damping-off, blights, necrosis, rots, rusts

Signs: mushrooms, mycelium, sclerotia

Fungi reproduce from spores or mycelium

Nematodes

Microscopic round worms (not true worms) that can cause injury to plants by feeding on roots and sever damage may include the yellowing of grass foliage

Macronutrients

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur

Micronutrients

Iron, boron, manganesem zinc, copper, and molybdenum

Herbicide Injury

Also known as phytotoxicity, is perhaps the most important and widespread abiotic factore affecting plants. This can result from misapplication, off-site movement, carry over, and contamination of equipment

Disease Triangle

Susceptible host, a pathogen, and the correct environmental conditions. All three are necessary for disease to occur

Stages Of Disease Cycle

Inoculation - the coming together of the pathogen and host

Penetration - invasion of the host by the pathogen

Infection - colonization of the host by the pathogen characterized by growth and reproduction of the pathogen and development of symptoms in the host

Dissemination - spread of the pathogen by active or passive means

Overwintering/summering - survival of the pathogen during unfavorable periods

Monocyclic Pathogen Life Cycle

Long reproductive cycles that often take an entire year to complete. No secondary inoculum is produced and there is no secondary infection. Inoculum is slow to build up and epidemics are slow to develop. An example is necrotic ring spot caused by a soilborne pathogen

Polycyclic Pathogen Life Cycle

Short reproductive cycles and can produce many generations in a season. They produce secondary inoculum that leads to secondary infection. Examples include mildews, leaf spots, and blights

Protectant Fungicides

Form a barrier between the plant and the pathogen to prevent infection and the disease process. They may also work on contact if applied after a pathogen is in place. Complete coverage of the plant tissue is important for protectant fungicides to be effective

Systemic Fungicides

Transported across membranes into the plant and are translocated within the plant. Complete coverage of the plant material is not as critical because the plant absorbs and then translocates or redistributes the pesticide within the plant. Systemic fungicides may protect or cure the plant at any point in the disease cycle. Not all systemic fungicides work the same, so check the label to find out how each work in the plant

To Manage Resistance:

Rotate classes or modes of action of fungicides, alternate a systemic with a protectant, mix a systemic with a protectant, reduce number of applications

Study Common Turfgrass Diseases

Monocots

Plants that have 1 seed leaf (cotyledon). Grasses and sedges are monocots

Dicots

Plants that have 2 seed leaves (cotyledons). Broadleaf plants are dicots

Best Way To Reduce Occurence Of Weeds

Growing and maintaining a dense, healthy stand of grass

Annual Weeds

Weeds that mature in one season and are propagated by seeds. Normally annuals are the easiest to control. Continued problem because of the abundance of dormant seed, fast growth, and high seed production. They may cost more to control than perennial weeds due to high numbers of different species. Long term control requires stopping seed production. Two types: summer and winter

Summer Annual

Grows from seeds that sprout in the spring or summer. Grow, flower, set seed, and die before winter. Seeds lie dormant in the soil until the next spring or several springs later, when the cycle repeats itself. Examples are: crabgrass, foxtail, goosegrass, purslane, spruge, and lambsquarters

Winter Annual

Germinates in the fall or winter. They overwinter in a vegetative stage. In the spring or early summer, they flower, set seed, mature, and die, living for less than 1 full year. Seeds lie dormant in soil during the summer months. Examples include common chickweed and henbit

Biennial Weeds

Require 2 years to develop and complete their life cycles. In the first year, the plant forms basal leaves (rosette) and large root system (taproot). Second year the plant flowers, matures, and dies. There are no biennial grasses or sedges. Mallow is an example

Perennial Weeds

Live more than 2 years. Some may live almost indefinitely, resprouting from vegetative plant parts. Because of these presistant, resprouting rhizomes, stolons, tubers, and plant fragments, perennials spread rapidly and are difficult to control. Perennial grass weeds are more difficult to control than perennial broadleaf weeds. Most perennial weeds die back to the ground during winter, then resume growth from buds on the rootstock the following spring. To avoid these problem weeds, do not let perennial seedlings become established. Most reproduce by seed, and many spread vegetatively as well. Examples include bindweed, Canada thistle, plantain, curly dock, and dandelion

Indicator Weeds For Moist Or Poorly Drained Soils

Annual bluegrass, roughstalk bluegrass, barnyardgrass, bentgrasses, common chickweed, violets, yellow nutsedge

Indicator Weeds For Moist And Fertile Soils

Annual bluegrass, curled dock, henbit, yellow woodsorrel

Indicator Weeds For Moist And Infertile Soils

Black medic, plantains, white clover

Inorganic Herbicides

Chemical compounds which do not contain carbon. These include salt, copper sulfate, sulfuric acid, and sodium chlorate. These herbicides are extremely persistent and have caused serious soil pollution problems in some areas. Many are restricted materials

Organic Herbicides

2 major groups - the petroleum oils and synthetic organic herbicides.

Petroleum oils, refined from crude oil, are applied without dilution. They are now rarely used for weed control in turf

Synthetic organic herbicides are made of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and other elements. Many herbicides used presently are synthetic organic herbicides, including 2, 4-D and glyphosate

Selective Herbicides

Those that control target weeds without damaging desirable turfgrass species

Nonselective Herbicides

Broad spectrum and kill all vegetation

Contact Herbicides

Kill primarily by contact with plant tissue. They are applied directly to growing plants and do not move throughout the plant. Will kill any contacted green areas on the plant. Uniform coverage and proper application rate are required for success with contact materials

Translocated Herbicides

Also called systemic and are absorbed through the foliage or shoots and accumulate at the active growth centers of the weed. Because they can move within the plant, some translocated herbicides effectively control perennial weeds and do not have to be applied uniformly over the whole plant to produce good results

Stages Of Growth Of A Weed

1 - seedling

2 - vegetative

3 - bud and flowering

4- maturity

FIFRA

Protects consumers from fraudulent pesticide products as manufacturers were required to register their pesticide and provide label information about the contents, directions for use, and antidotes if the chemical was ingested by humans

Endangered Species Bulletin

If there is an active bulletin, applicators MUST print a copy and keep it as part of the application record. However, it does NOT need to be in possession during the application

Title 35, Article 10

Includes the licensing and regulation of any individual or business which applies pesticides or uses certain pest control devices, on property other than their own, and for hire, or any form of compensation in Colorado

Verifiable Technician Training (Rules And Regs Part 5 Subpart C

Each applicator technician working for a commercial applicator, registered limited commercial applicator, or registered public applicator licensed or registed in the turf category shall have a minimum of 36 hours of training. Annual requirement is reduced if the technician is experienced. A licensed QS can supervise up to 15 technicians, but no more than 8 technicians can be unlicensed in CO. The QS must be available while any technician under their training is using a pesticide. Each commercial applicator, registered limited commercial applicator, or registered public applicator must maintain the technician training records using a form provided by CDA

Pesticide Application Records (Rules And Regs, Part 6)

Colorado Pesticide Applicators Act requires licensed commercial, limited commercial, and public applicators to keep accurate and legible office records of all pesticide applications. Records are required for each application and must be kept for three years

Possession Of The Label During Application (Rules And Regs, Part 7)

The original product container with labeling or a copy of the pesticide label and any attached labeling for each product used must be in possession of the applicator at the site of application whenever a pesticide application is performed

Identifying Service Vehicles And Equipment (Rules And Regs, Part 7)

For commercial and registered public applicatinos, all motor vehicles, trailers, and mobile application equipment used by or on behalf of any licensee for applying or carrying pesticides must be identified

Registry Of Pesticide Sensitive Persons (Rules And Regs, Part 12)

Pesticide Applicators Act requires a registry of pesticide-sensitive persons to be maintained by the CDA. To register, a person must submit an application for registration of pesticide sensitive persons. This form includes sections for the name, address, and telephone numbers of the pesticide-sensitive individual; a list of abutting properties; and the certification of sensitivity to pesticides from a physician licensed to practice medicine in the state of Colorado

Notification Of Pesticide Applications (Rules And Regs, Part 13)

At the time of any pesticide application, the applicator must leave a written statement at the treated residential property containing the following information: statement disclosing the fact that a pesticide has been applied, the pesticides applied, the date of application, such precautionary statements appearing on the pesticide label as are necessary or appropriate to avoid endangering the health of people of animals or to avoid an unreasonable risk of harm to property.

When the owner of the site or agent of the owner of the site is not present at the site, the applicator must furnish the customer with a written statement that states: the pesticides applied, the date of application, such precautionary statements appearing on the pesticide label as are necessary or appropriate to avoid endangering the health of people of animals or to avoid an unreasonable risk of harm to property

Posting signs: at time of application, applicators must post at least one sign notifying the public of the application. The bottom of each sign must be at least 18" above ground and the top of the sign no higher than 48" above ground At single residences, must be posted on lawn or yard at the property boundary between 2-5 feet from the road or property boundary - on a golf course, at the clubhouse and first and tenth tee to notify the public

Adjuvants

Added ingredients which can be mixed with pesticide spray mixtures to reduce the number of fine droplets and thereby decrease drift, increase effectiveness of a.i., and/or make application easier. Many times, the performance of a pesticide is greatly improved by the addition of an adjuvant which corrects certain application problems

Information Need To Perform Calibration

1. What is the area you will be treating

2. Decide what equipment you should use

3. Determine the application rate of your application equipment. You need the following generally: nozzle flow rate, traveling speed, operating pressure

4. What is the total amount of solution your spray tank can hold and how much area can you treat?

5. How much of the pesticide/carrier can you add to your tank?

Ck book for calibration methods

Ck book for calibration methods

Volatilization Is Generally A Concern When Using:

Esters. Ester formulations should never be used when temperatures are above 80-85F and the relative humidity is low

To Reduce Changes Of Drift:

- Use the lowest practical pressure

- Leave an untreated edge

- Keep nozzles low ot the ground if possible

- Angle nozzles towards the ground, slightly forward in the direciton of travel

- Use nozzles with the largest practical openings

- Use low-volatile formulations of chemicals

- Avoid broadcast spraying

- Spray when wind speed is 3-10 mph

- Do NOT spray during a temperature inverison

- Spray when sensitive vegetation is not actively growing

Hydrolosis

Process that begins when a product is mixed with water and is an important fate process. Ions in the water, such as calcium and magnesium, can sometimes tie up the active ingredient. The pH of water can also affect hydrolysis and pesticide performance so the addition of a buffering agent may be necessary with some products

Degradation

Action of microorganisms found in soil and thatch using the pesticide as a food source, resulting in pesticide degradation. Microorganisms may alter the structure of the pesticide, usually resulting in detoxification and ultimately in further degradation. Environmental conditions significantly affect the activity of soil micobiological population. Warm, moist soil that is well aerated and has a pH range of 6.5-7 encourages high microbial activity

Persistence

Measure of how long a pesticide remains in an active form at the site of application or in the environment

3 C's Of Pesticide Spills

1. Control the spill - stop the spill at the source

2. Contain the spill - use clumping kitty litter or absorbant pads/pillows to contain the material for example

3. Clean the spill- use a shovel and a heavy duty plastic bag and properly dispose for example

Organophosphates And Carbamates

The most significant health hazard pesticides. Most pesticide poisoning cases involve either of these two families. Both chemical groups affect humans by inhibiting cholinesterase, an enzyme essential to proper functioning of the nervous system. Onsect of symptoms can be very quick. Difference between this type of poisoning and heat exhaustion is dry symptoms with heat exhaustion and wet symptoms with poisoning

What To Do When Pesticide Poisoning Occurs

Call the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center whenever a pesticide poisoning is suspected. They will call 911 as necessary. They are staffed on a 24 hour basis, every day of the year