PEP-Talk, July, 2002

Pesticide Education Program
Ohio State University Extension
Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator
Cindy Folck, Communications
Vol. 6, Issue 7

In This Issue

Drift Labeling Hearings this Summer

EPA has extended their review of the proposed drift labeling. Currently, EPA has proposed a 10 mph wind restriction for all pesticides to reduce drift occurrence. The proposal resulted in a huge public response with one of the largest number of comments submitted to EPA on a specific item. The proposed drift labeling is available on the web.

The draft PR notice drew 5,249 public comments. Of these, 1,771 individual or unique comments were received and about 3,500 comments were the result of campaign or "repeat" comments. Only 21 comments provided a response with data to support submitted views or opinions. The comments received were from the following groups: 56 percent from growers (farmers), 17 percent from agri-retail, 4 percent from associations, 1.4 percent from special interests, 1 percent from commercial applicators and 0.3 percent from registrants. In response to the outpouring of public comments EPA is planning to host hearings this summer to gain input for the drift language changes. (Source: The Label, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Vol. 14, No. 6)

Sprayer Boom Available for Field Days

Looking for something to demonstrate at upcoming field days? How about a hands-on activity with calibration, drift or nozzle selection with a boom sprayer? We've got the sprayer!

The Pesticide Education Program has a boom sprayer available for agents to use for teaching the sprayer has three closed-pump systems so multiple people can work on the sprayer. Currently, the sprayer is housed in Homes County but is available to any county. For more information, contact Dean Slates, OSU Extension, Holmes Co., at (330) 674-3015.

Mosquito Season is Here

The mosquitoes are here! This cry takes on more significance this year with the general worry about West Nile Virus. As the season goes into full buzz, you may be receiving calls from homeowners for information on controlling mosquitoes.

According to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the best mosquito control is to eliminate breeding grounds around a house and farm. This is done by reducing the amount of standing water, especially in bird baths, trash in the yard, clogged gutters and discarded tires. People are encouraged to avoid being outside at dusk if possible. Otherwise, they should wear light-colored clothing with long-sleeved shirts and long slacks.

ODH also recommends using mosquito repellent that contains 30 percent or less DEET. Children should use products with 15 percent or less DEET. Aerosol bombs, smoke pots and citronella candles have limited use in outdoor areas, according to ODH. They also tell homeowners that mosquito "Wands" contain moth balls and electrocution devises actually attract mosquitoes into the yard. ODH has a series of fact sheets regarding West Nile Virus available on-line. (Source: ODH website)

EPA Indiciates Remaining Organophosphates are Safe

EPA says the comprehensive review of the cumulative risks of organophosphorus pesticides indicates all but two of the 30 compounds studied are safe. Throughout the process, EPA has taken a variety of regulatory actions on organophosphates including lowering application rates and cancellation of specific uses to meet the requirements of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

The two organophosphate chemicals deemed as more harmful could face new restrictions: dichlorvos (DDVP) used in fly paper and other pest strips; and dimethoate which is an agricultural pesticide sprayed on a variety of produce. (Source: Environmental News Service, June 13, 2002)

Methyl Bromide Update

EPA is asking methyl bromide users to submit exemption applications for the chemical. EPA will consider these exemptions while continuing with the planned phase-out of methyl bromide. The broad-spectrum fumigant is used in agriculture primarily for soil fumigation. It's also used for commodity and quarantine treatment and structural fumigation.

In an unrelated story, a researcher with the University of Florida claims that methyl bromide may be the most effective weapon against anthrax. EPA officials used an aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide to fumigate the Senate Hart building after an anthrax-tainted letter was discovered. Rudolf Scheffrahn, an entomology professor, has been testing the effectiveness of methyl bromide to kill spores which simulate anthrax. He claims using methyl bromide would be more effective, less corrosive and cheaper than current anthrax treatments such as chlorine dioxide. (Sources: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 30, No. 29 and Vol. 30, No. 32)

Lawsuit to be Filed over Herbicide Application in New England

A Boston-based environmental group is planning to file suit over a herbicide application on Lake Boon, according to the Boston Globe. The herbicide was used to control non-native, aquatic weeds milfoil and combamba in the lake. The suit is similar to a case in Oregon over a herbicide applied to an irrigation canal. The suit is being filed under the federal Clean Water Act and seeks to require the state to obtain an EPA pollution permit before applying herbicides to surface water. (Source: Boston Globe, June 12, 2002)

Borate Use Increases in Homes

Borate use is increasing, according to a recent survey. Bora-Care, active ingredient borate, is being used as an alternative to Dursban. Because of a phase-out, Dursban will no longer be available as a termiticide in 2004. These findings were from a telephone survey conducted by the Alabama-based research firm All Cylinders at the request of Bora-Care's manufacturer, Nisus Corp. The surveyed companies are using Bora-Care for termite ground treatements. The chemical has been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for treating termites in homes financed through them. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 30, No. 26)

Canada Creates Initiative for Minor-Use Pesticides

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is introducing a program to make reduced-risk products, including minor use products, available for essential uses. The program recognizes that these pesticides are used in such small quantities that manufacturers see the sales potential as insufficient to seek a registration in Canada. The PMRA hopes this initiative will ensure that Canadian producers have access to environmentally sound technologies for pest control. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 30, No. 32)

Man Fined for Baiting Coyotes

A Florida man was fined $23,000 for trying to bait and kill coyotes by lacing deer carcasses with a pesticide. The fine was a settlement with EPA's Region 4 office. Gary Seymour was charged with using the insecticide Temik 7, a restricted-use aldicarb pesticide, to kill the coyotes. EPA says he violated the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) by using the product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Seymour was also not a certified applicator and was not under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. (Source: Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News, Vol. 30, No. 33)

Save the Children with DDT

Recently, EPA circulated an article released by a news service arguing the need for DDT to fight malaria in third world countries and thus save millions of children's lives. This piece was written by Angela Logomasini, director of risk and environmental policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free market public policy group in Washington, D.C. and is available on-line.

Pesticide Crop Watch

Insecticides

Avaunt (indoxacarb) - DuPont added to their label usage on Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, Chinese mustard, cabbage, eggplant, kohlrabi and potatoes.

Nemacur (fenamiphos) - Bayer has submitted a request to EPA to cancel all uses of this product over the next 3-5 years. The company plans to manufacture and distribute the product until the phase out is complete.

Regent (fipronil) - Aventis has a new label that reduces the usage on corn to control wireworms and seed corn maggot. Effective in Ohio.

Steward (indoxacarb) - DuPont has added to their label the usage on alfalfa and soybeans.

Success (indoxacarb) - Dow AgroSciences has added to their label the use on root and tuber vegetables.

Herbicides

Goal 2XL (oxyfluorfen) - Dow AgroSciences has added to their label the removal of chemigation restrictions and added the usage on garbanzo beans, garlic and non-crop areas.

Prism (clethodim) - Valent has added to their label the usage on canola, flax, mustard seed, leaf lettuce, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.

Fungicides

Gem (trifloxystrobin) - Bayer has received EPA registration to use on potatoes and sugarbeets to control early blight, powdery mildew and leaf spot.

Omega (fluazinam) - Syngenta received EPA registration to use on potatoes to control white mold and late blight.

Penncozeb (mancozeb) - Cerexagri added to their label the control of wheat scab.

Plant Shield (Trichoderma harzianum rif AL strain KRL-AG2) - BioWorks added to their label for this biofungicide the usage on flowers, bedding plants, ornamentals, berries, small fruits, citrus, pome fruit, stone fruit, nuts and hydroponic crops.

Misc.

A widely-used reference book for urban landscape/garden problems, "The Ortho Problem Solver," is now available on-line. Look it up at Ortho's website.

(Sources for Pesticide Crop Watch: Agricultural Chemical News, Vol. 273)

Upcoming Events

Agent Inservice
January 8 & 9, 2003, Fawcett Center, Columbus

Commercial Recertification Conference
General Conference (turf, ornamental, industrial vegetation, general pest, termite) November 26, 2002 - Cleveland, Holiday Inn Independence
December 17, 2002 - Dayton Columbus Center
January 15, 2003 - Perrysburg, Holiday Day Inn French Quarters
February 6, 2003 - Columbus Convention Center

Commercial Recertification Conference
Field Crop Conference (agricultural pest, agronomic weed)
January 29, 2003 - Columbus, OSU Fawcett Center
February 12, 2003 - Lima Holiday Inn

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