Many people have to deal with pest control on a regular basis. There are numerous different culprits that must be targeted like weeds, disease, rodents, and insects and all can be very disquieting for agricultural entities and non-agricultural entities alike. However, there are some specific landscape management skills that can be used to help reduce pests without resorting to chemical solutions. A few illustrations would be to schedule planting at a time that does not coincide with insect population explosions, using mulch and crop residues to lower the chances of getting weeds, and watering plants at a time other than when disease is most likely to occur.
However, there are times when insect problems are out of control, and using chemical insecticides might prove to be the best option and can be the most beneficial. Due to EPA reviews and resulting laws, there are a number of pesticides that were popular that have been made illegal. We always want to make sure that we remain knowledgeable about the latest set of mandates so that we can make the proper prescriptions for what tactics should be used to battle pest control issues. Here is a list of some of the top chemicals that have been phased out as well as others that are now available for use: Businesses have been instructed to halt sales of the chemical cholorphyrifos, otherwise known as dursban.
Since it's been awhile since formulators stopped being able to sell dursban for homeowners to use, there probably isn't much of it available anymore. Be aware, though, even after the sale of it was stopped, any gardener who still has some on hand may use it legally. One of the major concerns everyone has, with this chemical being outlawed, is being able to control borers. This chemical has been used prominently for tree borers, which has become a huge landscape issue in the southwest part of the state.
However, the permethrin esfenvalerate chemical could help things out. Entomology professors from Colorado State University have found that products which use permethrin esfenvalerate may even be more effective than organophosphates when it comes to controlling borers and other soil control concerns. In addition to working extremely well, they are not as dangerous as is diazinon and dursban, so they should be acceptable products to use in their place.
In EPA records, it is stated that diazinon will be pretty much completely phased out for almost all existent uses. By 2003, the making of and selling of diazinon was to have been entirely halted. Although using such products in accordance to the instructions did not pose any immediate threat. The most effective spider mite control chemical, kelthane, was also on the list of the forbidden chemicals. The sale of this product for residential use has been banned and the labeling has been removed. Kelthane has been the top solution for spider mites as used on vegetables and ornamental plants for many years. As a replacement horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps are a good bet.
The EPA looked into the risk factors of Lindane. There is no information on the EPA's website about whether or not it is legal to use it now or not. On the other hand, this product has not been sold in retail outlets for a while. It is likely that it has already been prohibited for homeowner use. Lindane is another chemical which was commonly used around the home to control borer insects. For the most part, chemicals might work for controlling pests, but you should only use them if you have tried everything else. You also need to consider how much harm the pests are causing or will cause in the future.
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