Think Green this Spring

The groundhog may be eking out every moment of his six more weeks of winter, but spring is coming, and along with it…gardening and lawn care. As you undertake your beautification projects this spring, I encourage you to consider our water quality, wildlife, pets and children (particularly those with asthma), and please limit your use of pesticides.

Pesticides are defined as substances to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate the effects of any pest ranging from insects, animals and weeds to microorganisms such as fungi, molds, bacteria and viruses. Pesticides are regulated at the federal, state and local level, and they are considered hazardous waste.

Our Department of Environmental Protection has an excellent brochure, Pesticides: Selection, Safe Use and Alternatives, which has some great advice. Among the alternatives:

• Remove sources of food and water in your home.
• Eliminate places where pests may hide inside and outside your home.
• Block pest entry into your home.
• Remove pest breeding sides in your lawn and garden.
• Make sure you take proper care of the plants around your home, lawn and garden.

DEP can also help you create an Integrated Pest Management program using a wide variety of the best available pest management strategies, which are both economical and pose the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.