SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Apply Responsibly national stewardship program today announced the launch of its summer educational campaign to raise awareness about how to better protect bees, butterflies and other pollinators around the home and garden.
For more than 12 years, the program has focused primarily on the responsible use of pesticides to prevent runoff into local rivers and waterways.
"This year we feel it is important to use our national platform to not only remind homeowners to prevent runoff, but to also make sure they take steps to ensure the safety of bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects," said Julie Schlekau, spokesperson for the program.
"Millions of Americans choose to use pesticides to protect their families and plants against harmful pests," she said. "But it is just as important to use proper application practices to minimize risks to our environment, beneficial insects, and pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
With the promotion of a nationwide video and media campaign, Apply Responsibly is offering concrete tips for homeowners and gardeners to put into practice this summer:
- Create habitat areas with milkweed and flowering native plants that will attract pollinators and keep them away from garden beds that may require pesticide treatments.
- Only spray at dusk or dawn when pollinators are not typically in the garden
- Avoid spraying areas where native pollinators live such as hedge rows and natural areas.
Additionally, it is always smart to follow the basics of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is a way to limit pesticide use around the home and garden:
- Always read the label first. This will help you determine if the pesticide should or should not be used on pre-bloom or blooming plants (which attract pollinators)
- When you notice pest activity, take the time to figure out the cause and consider the best-suited control measures. Low levels of damage may not warrant the use of a pesticide.
- Remove items that attract unwanted pests – standing water, rotting fruit or vegetables, pet waste, etc.
- Learn what type of insect is eating your plants before you decide to apply a pesticide.
- Only apply pesticides labeled for the identified pest; use only when necessary and follow the recommended use rates and proper timing outlined on the label to ensure you are using the right product for the pest.
- Always pay attention to make sure your water use does not result in pesticides running off of hard surfaces into drains or sidewalk gutters.
Inspired by naturally occurring chemicals found in chrysanthemums, pyrethroids are one of the most common and effective pesticides used for controlling nuisance pests that can damage plants and spread such fatal or dangerous diseases as West Nile, Zika and Lyme Disease.
"The reality is that pesticides are often critical," said Schlekau. "And pollinators are essential, which is why we are urging homeowners to practice IPM in and around their homes, which includes the smart use of pesticides when needed. It's important people observe best practices as a way to strike a positive balance."
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About Apply Responsibly
Apply Responsibly is a public awareness program funded by the Pyrethroid Working Group (PWG). Through http://www.applyresponsibly.org and other educational programs, the industry alliance promotes the responsible use, storage and disposal of pesticides commonly used in the garden and outside the home as a way to help protect waterways and the environment. The PWG is comprised of the following companies: AMVAC Chemical; BASF Corporation; Bayer CropScience; FMC Corporation; Syngenta Crop Protection; and Valent U.S.A. LLC.
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SOURCE Apply Responsibly
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