Landscaping, Gardening & Pest Control
Safe Environment Practices and Procedures for:
Homeowners
Gardeners
Landscapers

Problems  

Landscaping and garden maintenance activities can be major contributors to ocean pollution. Soils, yard wastes, overwatering and garden chemicals become part of the urban runoff mix that winds its way through streets, gutters and storm drains before entering the ocean. Poorly functioning sprinklers and overwatering, for example, will increase the amount of pollutants flowing into storm drains. Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are chemicals that not only kill garden invaders, they also harm useful insects, poison fish and contaminate ground and ocean water when they are washed off lawns and landscaped areas. Leaves, grass clippings and tree trimmings that are swept or blown into the street and gutter are also ocean polluters. These wastes clog catch basins, increasing the risk of flooding on streets and carry garden chemicals into the ocean. As they decompose, they also absorb oxygen fish need to survive.

Solutions

Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as handling, storing, and disposing of materials properly can prevent pollutants from entering the storm drains.

  
Protect stockpiles and materials from wind and rain by storing them under tarps or secured plastic sheeting.
Schedule grading and excavation projects for dry weather.
Use temporary check dams or ditches to divert runoff away from storm drains.
Prevent erosion by planting fast-growing annual and perennial grasses. These will shield and bind the soil.

Garden & Lawn Maintenance

Do not overwater. Conserve water by using irrigation practices such as drip irrigation, soaker hoses or micro-spray systems.
Recycle tree clippings and pruning waste.
Do not blow or rake leaves into the street, gutter or storm drains.
Use organic or non-toxic fertilizers.
Do not overfertilize and do not fertilize near ditches, streams or other water bodies
Store pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in a covered area to prevent runoff.

Pesticide Alternatives

The "chemicals-only" approach to pest control is only a temporary fix. A more common approach is needed for a long-term solution. It's called:  Integrated Pest Management(IPM). Plan your "IPM" strategy in this order:

A) Physical Controls
Caulking Holes
Hand Picking
Barriers
Traps

B) Biological Controls

Predatory insects e.g. Green lacewings eat aphids
Bacterial insecticides e.g. bacillus thuringiensis kills Caterpillars


C) Chemical Controls - Your Last Resort Use these least-toxic products:

Dehydrating dusts (e.g. silica gel)
Insecticidal soaps
Boric acid powder
Horticultural oils
Pyrethrum-based insecticides

Safe Substitutes for Pest Control

Garden Aphids and Mites -Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and 1 cup of vegetable oil. Add 1 teaspoon of this mixture to a cup of water and spray. (Oil may harm vegetable plants in the cabbage family.)
Caterpillars - When caterpillars are eating, apply products containing Bacillus thuringiensis to leaves.
Ants- Place boric acid dust or hydramethylnon baits in problem areas, cracks and insect walkways. Be sure it is inaccessible to children and pets (it is a mild poison).
Roaches - Apply boric acid dust to cracks and entry points (see ants above). Place bay leaves on pantry shelves.

If You Must Use Pesticides

Use a pesticide that is specifically designed to control your pest. The insect should be listed on the label. Approximately 90% of the insects on your lawn and garden are not harmful.

Read labels! Use only as directed. In their zeal to control the problem, many gardeners use pesticides at over 20 times the rate farmers do.

Pesticide Disposal

House toxics - such as pesticides, cleansers and motor oil - can pollute the ocean and poison groundwater if disposed of in storm drains or gutters or if they end up in landfills.
Rinse empty pesticide containers and use rinse water as you would the product. Dispose of empty rinsed containers in the trash.
Most residents can dispose of unused household toxics at the Household Hazardous Waste Roundup instead of dumping them into the sink, street, gutter or storm drain. For more information call (800) 238-0172.
Gardeners, landscapers and residents can call the reference numbers listed above to learn where they can properly dispose of household toxics.