The following headlines were culled from a search of articles in
publications containing the words "school" plus "pest," "pesticide,"
or "integrated pest management" from January 9, 2007 on.
For
the complete articles, visit the publication's Web site. Most
sites permit searching for recent articles free of charge, while archive searches are for a
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For articles from July 1, 2003
through May 11, 2005, visit the school
headlines archive 2 page.
For articles
from July 1, 2000 through Jun 30, 2003, visit the school headlines archive
1 page.
Baldwin Union Free School District and H2M receive 2008 Model of Sustained Excellence Award. NewsLI, NY, 14 January 2009, 234 words, (English.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Radiation and Indoor Air presented H2M’s client the Baldwin Union Free School District with the prestigious 2008 Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Model of Sustained Excellence Award.
World Cocoa Foundation announces sustainability principles and goals. PR Newswire,
14 January 2009, 571 words, (English.) The World Cocoa Foundation today announced
sustainability principles and goals to help the world's cocoa farmers, guide industry efforts and prioritize the Foundation's development projects in West Africa, Southeast Asia and the Americas.
New MSU Extension program aims at safe pest management. Montana State University,
13 January 2009, 405 words, (English.) Montana State University Extension has begun a new
integrated pest management program for professionals and homeowners alike.
Davis sixth-grader's science experiment a breakthrough for nut farmers. Sacramento Bee, CA, 9 January 2009, 546 words, (English.) University of California, Davis scientists are redirecting
their research after a professor's son discovered that a major agricultural pest prefers pistachios over other nuts.
Plan announced to improve pest control in schools by 2015. US EPA, 7 January 2009, 208 words, (English.) Pest- and pesticide-related risks to children will be reduced in all U.S. public schools by 2015 as envisioned in a new plan released by the Environmental Protection Agency
and others.
School system goes 'green'. Milan News-Leader, MI, 25 December 2008, 504 words, (English.)
Six years ago, when Milan Area Schools built the new high school, "green" was probably not the first thought that came to mind when making most decisions.
State: Pesticide use dropped in 2007. Central Valley Business Times, CA, 17 December 2008,
259 words, (English.) California growers used less pesticides in 2007 than the year before, the state Department of Pesticide Regulation says Wednesday.
New LEED standards for existing buildings. Daily Journal of Commerce, OR, 16 December 2008, 540 words, (English.) Owners of commercial buildings around the United States are increasingly recognizing the fact that the process of “greening” their buildings has many benefits,
according to Elaine Aye of Green Building Services.
Evil bats? No, saviors of crops. Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA, 12 December 2008, 545 words, (English.) She isn’t a morning critter, which may explain why the female nestled in Patricia Winters’ hand didn’t look like a voracious predator of the night.
Getting rid of ticks takes time and money. New York Times, 12 December 2008, 722 words,
(English.) By all accounts, this was a good first year for a three-year study meant to eradicate ticks on Shelter Island, one of the worst spots for tick-borne diseases in New York.
Bird and mice droppings, ants and old food found in city schools' kitchens.
Express & Echo, United Kingdom, 10 December 2008, 514 words, (English.) Union officials have sprung to the defence of busy dinner staff after health inspectors found dirty school kitchens throughout Exeter.
Local businesses helping the planet. Portsmouth Herald News, NH, 8 December 2008, 492 words, (English.) Despite the tough economy, Seacoast hospitality businesses are following a
national trend that shows businesses are continuing to spend money on sustainability-related initiatives.
School districts get top grades for indoor air in classrooms. US EPA Press Release,
4 December 2008, 319 words, (English.) Eight school districts that are leading the
way to prevent and solve indoor air quality problems in schools will be honored at the
EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium in Washington, D.C., from
Dec. 4-6, 2008. Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in schools can lead to a range of
health problems, including allergy symptoms and asthma attacks. Students and staff exposed
to poor IAQ can also suffer diminished performance and concentration.
Health board and schools to set new policies. Saugus Advertiser, MA, 3 December 2008, 247 words, (English.) The Saugus Board of Health met with Superintendent of Schools Richard Langlois this week to talk about improving communication between the Health Department and School Department.
How green can a Christmas tree be? The New York Times, 3 December 2008, 1,209 words, (English.) Locally grown, pesticide-free food is gaining sway these days because it is fresh, healthy and supports area farmers. But how many of us give the same kind of thought to the Christmas trees we bring home? Can you decorate your Fraser fir without getting pesticide residue in your lungs and on your skin?
School’s termite-infested roof collapses after downpour. The Star, Malaysia, 1 December 2008, 324 words, (English.) A downpour on Thursday night has caused the termite-infested roof of SJK (C) Han Ming in Puchong to collapse.
Pesticide notice registry open for 2009. The Capital Times, WI, 27 November 2008, 265 words,
(English.) If you'd like to be notified in advance when your neighbors hire companies to apply
pesticides to their lawns, you can sign up for the state's landscape pesticide registry, the
state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced.
Dirty dining investigation: school cafeterias. WPEC-TV, FL, 26 November 2008, 466 words,
(English.) Our school cafeterias should be held to higher standards than restaurants, but The I-Team digs up the dirty details on a local school cafeteria that failed its health inspection.
We investigate what was wrong and what's being done about it in this special edition of
"Dirty Dining."
Cockroaches' antennae let them sense static electricity. Planet Earth, United Kingdom,
24 November 2008, 929 words, (English.) Cockroaches can detect and steer clear of fields
of static electricity, according to research to be published in early December.
Decision deferred on field maintenance. Montgomery Newspapers, PA, 20 November 2008, 823 words, (English.) Following a discussion Tuesday on exposure of student athletes to pesticides and
herbicides, the Springfield Township School Board tabled a motion to approve two pilot
programs for rebuilding the school district's athletic fields.
Rat population growing fast in North Texas.
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX, 17 November 2008,
799 words, (English.) The human population isn’t the only one growing in North Texas.
Rats are also finding North Texas a hospitable place to live and proliferate.
More info needed on pesticide issue.
New Canaan News Review, CT, 14 November 2008, 893 words, (English.) New Canaan needs more scientific information before deciding on a pesticide-use policy for public school grounds and sports fields.
State records show pesticide exposure risks to children at schools.
24-7PressRelease.com,
11 November 2008, 513 words, (English.) A preliminary review of pesticide poisoning
complaint records kept at the State Department of Agriculture and Department of Human
Services reveals that children participating in school activities have been exposed to
pesticides dozens of times in the past ten years.
Pittsgrove home to pesticide-free park.
Today's Sunbeam, NJ, 30 October 2008, 529 words,
(English.) The township committee has taken steps to be the first in Salem County to accept
a policy that declares one of its parks as a Pesticide Free Zone. Deer Pen Park, which is
located at 819 Buck Road, will be pesticide free to help provide a safer environment for
everyone.
VPIRG gives state F for Act 125.
Barre Montpelier Times Argus, VT, 30 October 2008, 838 words, (English.) After going through the Envision process, school nurse Joan Fitch noticed a 33
percent drop in headaches, nausea and asthma issues at the high school.
It's easy being green: Jolly green schools.
Center For American Progress, Washington DC,
22 October 2008, 702 words, (English.) Even if you don't listen to the media,
politicians, or environmental activists, take a minute and listen to these kids.
Maryland health and elder care facilities lead way in cutting toxic chemical use.
MarketWatch.com, 21 October 2008, 416 words, (English.) A report released today by public
health groups and leading Maryland health and elder care facilities documents new practices
and policies to eliminate toxic pesticide use. The changes reflect a heightened awareness
of the need to protect particularly vulnerable populations from serious health risks
associated with toxic chemical exposure.
Governor proclaims October 'Children's Environmental Health Month.' White Mountain Independent,
AZ, 17 October 2008, 249 words, (English.) Gov. Janet Napolitano has proclaimed October as
"Children's Environmental Health Month," an action that emphasizes the importance of efforts
to protect Arizona's children from harmful pollutants, according to Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens.
'Bug bombs' causing injury. U.S. News & World Report, Washington, DC, 16 October 2008, 415 words,
(English.) Between 2001 and 2006, commercial "bug bomb" insect deterrents caused 466 cases
of acute pesticide-related illness or injury in eight states, U.S. researchers reported
Thursday.
School district fined $900 for spraying lice poison on students' coats. The Columbian, WA, 14 October 2008,
412 words, (English.) Last January, the leader of the Mount Pleasant School District decided
to neutralize the threat of a head lice outbreak by spraying students’ coats with pesticide while they were in the gymnasium on recess.
Reduce, reuse, rewards. Seattle University Magazine, WA, Fall 2008, 3329 words, (English.)
Seattle University has long been a leader in the growing national and international efforts
to reduce impacts on the environment. The university's place and prominence in the green
scene began without a grand plan—it was more a determination and need to fight bugs with,
well, bugs.
Clemson scientists help identify first occurrence of papaya mealybug in Indonesia. Clemson University, SC,
13 October 2008, 371 words, (English.) Three Clemson researchers are working to contain the
papaya mealybug, an emerging threat from India to Indonesia and the Caribbean that if
uncontained could present a serious economic threat to agriculture.
Pollution studies getting personal. Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN, 12 October 2008, 2047 words,
(English.) In south Minneapolis, 100 children are providing urine samples to be tested for
arsenic from a long-abandoned pesticide storage site. In Oakdale, Lake Elmo and Cottage
Grove, 200 adults are signing up to have blood drawn and analyzed for traces of three
former 3M chemicals found in their drinking water.
Counties fight mosquitoes with fish. Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL, 11 October 2008, 478 words,
(English.) A growing number of abandoned homes in the region means more work for mosquito
fish, the smallest members of mosquito management teams in Manatee, Charlotte and Sarasota
counties.
New professional courses on greenhouses, garden and landscape industries. University of
Wisconsin-Madison University Communications, 10 October 2008, 309 words, (English.) If your
career or career plans involve greenhouses, landscaping, garden centers and related
industries, you might want to consider a set of new continuing education classes offered
through the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Safer pest control for childcare in Latino communities. World-Wire.com, 8 October 2008, 549 words, (English.) A Penn State collaborative in Philadelphia is helping Latino childcare providers understand pest management issues in their childcare programs and implement integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. The goal of the project is to more effectively control pests
and reduce the risks of pest and pesticide exposures to young children.
Show and tell may result in rabies shots for Stevensville students. Missoulian.com, MT, 8 October 2008,
692 words, (English.) Upward of 80 Stevensville Elementary School students may have to receive rabies
vaccine shots after a parent brought an infected bat to school for show and tell.
Championing Upper Merion area school district to go green. US EPA Press Release, 3 October 2008,
555 words, (English.) Frederick Remelius is determined to make his school district buildings
operate the way they should - - clean and green. He is on a daily campaign to solve the
district's potential indoor air concerns and save energy and money.
Unisource receives honor from healthy schools campaign. What They Think, KY, 2 October 2008,
298 words, (English.) Unisource Worldwide, Inc., a leading North American distributor of paper,
packaging and facility supplies, received national recognition from the Healthy Schools
Campaign (HSC) for its support to help publish the second edition of the Quick & Easy Guide
to Green Cleaning in Schools.
Pesticide-testing program halted. Chicago Tribune, 1
October 2008, 259 words, (English.)
The Bush administration has abruptly halted a government program that tests the levels of
pesticides in fruits, vegetables and field crops, arguing that the $8 million-a-year program
is too expensive — a decision critics say could make it harder to protect consumers from
chemicals in their food.
Orkin and NSF International prep food processors for audits. Food Processing,
IL, 30 September 2008, 309 words, (English.) Orkin Commercial Services
has partnered with NSF International
to provide free educational resources to the food processing industry. Each online tool equips business owners and operators in
the fight against pests, while preparing them for audits.
New studies to assess human exposures to pesticides. Environmental Protection
Magazine, TX, 25 September 2008, 402 words, (English.) Pesticide exposure, particularly in children, is
a serious health problem in many parts of the world, including the United States.
Lebanon school grounds sprayed: Administrators OK pesticide after horse nearby dies from
Triple E. Foster's Daily Democrat, NH, 24 September 2008, 708
words, (English.) After the reported death of a horse in Lebanon due to Eastern Equine Encephalitis (Triple E), Hanson School officials
scheduled a spraying of the playground perimeter Tuesday afternoon.
Pesticide drift in Florida: School children still at risk. Pesticide Action Network,
CA, 23
September 2008, 260 words, (English.) For the second year in row, toxic pesticides have
been found in the air near a Florida elementary school.
Invasive mosquito target of new Northeast project. E-Wire, TX, 18 September 2008, 503 words,
(English.) A new project funded by the Northeastern IPM Center is targeting Asian tiger
mosquitoes, one of the most invasive pests in the country and a potential health risk.
Pest free housing initiative making a difference in Boston. E-Wire, TX, 15 September 2008,
930 words, (English.) Over 23,000 people reside in Boston public housing where pest
infestations are a major concern. Not only do pests frustrate residents, they affect their
quality of life. A project funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the EPA is helping the
Boston Housing Authority address challenges facing pest control by launching, with other
partners, the Healthy Pest Free Housing Initiative Project (HPFHI).
Pear scent offers new tool against codling moth. Capital Press, OR, 12 September 2008, 720 words,
(English.) A chemical discovered in pears is providing scientists with a new tool in
fighting the codling moth, which damages pears and apples.
UB receives $1.5 Million to assess human exposures to
pesticides and associated adverse effects. University of Buffalo News Center, NY, 11 September 2008, 654 words, (English.) Pesticide exposure,
particularly in children, is a serious health problem in many parts of the world, including
the U.S.
Seven pesticides found in ground or stream water. Statesman Journal, OR, 6 September 2008,
747 words, (English.) State experts have identified seven pesticides in Oregon groundwater
or streams that could pose a risk to human or environmental health.
Citrus growers hear latest pest control methods. The Ledger, FL, 4 September 2008, 245 words,
(English.) Successful control of Asian citrus psyllids, the primary carrier of the citrus
greening bacteria, rests on developing an integrated pest management system that combines
chemicals, natural predators and other ways of keeping populations down.
Helping grain growers fight an army of pests. The Land, Australia, 1 September 2008, 263 words,
(English.) Research into how to reduce the impact of insect-attack on young crops will be a major focus of a National Invertebrate Pest Initiative (NIPI) workshop held in Melbourne
this week.
Benziger Winery wins environment award. Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA, 29 August 2008, 401 words,
(English.) Benziger Family Winery is receiving the first ever Endangered Species Coalition
Champion Award for Land Stewardship. The winery is being recognized for its commitment to
farming practices that promote sustainability and protect local wildlife.
President Bush honors Knutson for volunteer service. Texas A&M AgNews, 29 August 2008, 393 words,
(English.) Dr. Allen Knutson, professor and entomologist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service, has won a Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and
Civic Participation.
Pesticide discussion highlights opposing views. Enterprise-Record, CA, 28 Aug 2008, 491 words,
(English.) Mosquito fogging — spraying pesticides to kill adult insects — gets opposing
reactions from Paul Schramski and Matt Ball.
Scientists take research about codling moth to the streets. Central Valley Business Times,
CA, 21 August 2008, 1058 words, (English.) Although sex is a strong attractant, food can
sometimes be a bigger draw. Such is the case with a chemical that scientists have discovered
in pears that has just the right scent to attract codling moths to traps. This discovery is
part of a larger University of California program to control codling moth pests in homeowners'
backyard trees.
USDA funds Southern pest control projects. Southeast Farm Press, 21 August 2008, 699 words,
(English.) People throughout the Southern region will reap the benefits of research and training
efforts from eight new projects funded by the US Department of Agriculture Southern Regional
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) grants program.
Royer promoted by Oklahoma State University. Chronicle Times, IA, 21 August 2008, 377 words,
(English.) Tom Royer is always a bit "bugged," and Oklahoma State University has rewarded the
son of Cherokee residents Don and Dorothy Royer by promoting him to the rank of professor
in the department of entomology and plant pathology.
Playing without pesticides. Register News, NJ, 20 August 2008, 577 words, (English.)
Some lessons are best learned outside of the classroom — preferably near flora and
fauna that isn’t tainted with toxic chemicals.
Good bug battles a bad weed. Central Valley Business Times, CA, 20 August 2008, 369 words, (English.) A researcher at the University of California, Davis, may have recruited a new
ally in the fight against an invasive weed – a beetle.
Lawsuit seeks EPA pesticide data. San Francisco Chronicle, 19 August 2008, 1114 words,
(English.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is refusing to disclose records about a new class
of pesticides that could be playing a role in the disappearance of millions of honeybees
in the United States, a lawsuit filed Monday charges.
Maintain a nice yard naturally. The Olympian, WA, 18 August 2008, 486 words, (English.)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines Integrated Pest Management as "an
effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a
combination of common-sense practices." Here in Thurston County, IPM is regarded as a
collection of techniques that seeks to keep pest and vegetation problems low enough to
reduce or eliminate the reliance on chemical control.
Longwood Gardens Hosts Workshop On Invasive Mile-A-Minute Weed. Town Talk News, PA, 12 August 2008,
247 words, (English.) Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, will be the site of a workshop on
biological control of mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross), an invasive
plant from Asia on Aug. 25.
Debate buzzes on mosquito spraying. Milford Daily News, MA, 9 August 2008, 1084 words, (English.)
To Devra Robins of Holliston, the benefits of neighborhood mosquito spraying outweigh the
risks. So with West Nile virus making an early MetroWest appearance this summer, the day
care operator welcomes the service.
Pesticide settlement may tighten rules. Capital Press, OR, 8 August 2008, 494 words,
(English.) New restrictions may be placed on dozens of pesticides commonly used in Oregon, Washington
and California as the result of a legal settlement between an environmental group and the
federal government.
Feds agree to review pesticide harm to ESA-listed salmon. Bay Area Indymedia, CA, 4
August 2008, 524 words, (English.) Today, a coalition of fishing and environmental groups settled a lawsuit with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the federal agency charged with
protecting threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead.
Oregon publishes its first report on pesticide use. The Oregonian, 31 July 2008, 757 words,
(English.) After a nine-year political scrum, Oregon released its first accounting of
pesticide use Wednesday, cataloging more than 40 million pounds of 551 fumigants, herbicides
and insecticides applied to the state's lands and waters in 2007.
Christmas tree pests target of new project. Media Newswire, NY, 30 July 2008, 586 words,
(English.) A new Penn State research project is helping six Pennsylvania Christmas tree
growers keep invasive pests at bay while reducing pesticide use.
Soybean rust alert system may be victim of budget cuts. American Farm, MD, 29 July 2008, 575 words,
(English.) Federal belt-tightening threatens to silence the three-year-old nationwide Asian soybean rust
alert system.
IPM Workshops Planned for Grape Growers. Wisconsin Ag Connection,
28 July 2008, 218 words, (English.) Grape growing has become widespread throughout Wisconsin
with more than 400 acres under cultivation. As grape acreages expand, pest complexes also
intensify. That's why the University of Wisconsin-Extension is hosting three one-day
sessions about Integrated Pest Management, which offers an effective alternative to relying
solely on pesticides.
As bedbugs spread, lawmakers push to make sure landlords pay for spray. The Jersey Journal,
28 July 2008, 765 words, (English.) When Robert High began getting lines of swollen red
lumps on his arms and legs several months ago, it didn't take him long to realize his
apartment had bedbugs.
Grape pest under scrutiny. Capital Press, OR, 25 July 2008, 550 words, (English.) Keeping
populations of vine mealybug in check can take a whole arsenal of products, but choosing
the right ones and timing applications correctly can be tricky for this relatively new pest.
Cucumber beetles are real pests. Mail Tribune, OR, 25 July 2008, 693 words, (English.)
Not all visitors to the garden are equally welcome. Among the least welcome of all is the
cucumber beetle, a potentially devastating pest to the cucurbit family, including cucumbers,
cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba melon, winter squash, pumpkins, summer squash and watermelon.
Coincidentally, that is the order of preference shown by these insects in their feeding
habits.
EPA moves to ban pesticide carbofuran from food. Associated Press, 24 July 2008, 299 words,
(English.) The Environmental Protection Agency moved Thursday to stop the use of the pesticide
carbofuran on all food crops, including those that are imported.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Announces New Waste Pesticide Collection Program. The Farmer, MN, 24 July 2008, 261 words, (English.) The Minnesota Department of Agriculture
is offering a new program called "Clean Sweep" to help farmers and homeowners safely dispose of unwanted and unusable pesticides.
Mosquito spraying put on hold until testing completed. Sacramento Bee, 22 July 2008, 507 words,
(English.) After three evenings of spraying pesticide over the skies of south Sacramento
and Elk Grove, West Nile warriors will have to wait until next week to learn if the
treatment cut down on infected mosquitoes.
Grounds Services brings sustainable practices to campus. Arizona State University, 21 July 2008,
503 words, (English.) Fish emulsion and compost tea used for fertilizer. Lawn mowers with
mulching decks. Organic pest control. Three-wheeled bicycles for staff to ride across campus.
Europe ready to tighten screws on pesticide list. Capital Press, Salem, OR, 18 July 2008,
801 words, (English.) As the European Union draws closer to banning a number of pesticides,
opponents and supporters of the policy overhaul are debating the potential impacts on farmers, food prices and imports.
County removes pesticide guide. Seattle Post Intelligencer, 18 July 2008, 905 words, (English.)
At the insistence of agricultural industry-sponsored groups, a wallet-sized consumer guide
to which fruits and vegetables contain the most and least pesticides has been pulled from a
King County Web site, where it had been a popular draw.
Pest Control Crews Target Nettle Caterpillars. KHON2-TV, HI, 18 July 2008, 268 words, (English.)
Thursday, pest control crews went door to door in Mililani to inform residents of stinging
Nettle Caterpillars. Officials say there have been no reports of anyone getting stung, and
they want to keep it that way.
The Buzz in Summer '08: Eluding Wasps. MarketWatch.com, 17 July 2008, 348 words, (English.)
Summer brings warmer temperatures that beckon people outdoors. However, a major summer
pest that can pose significant threats to outdoor revelers is the wasp. Known for their
unprovoked aggression, wasps nest in protected areas including voids in walls and ceilings
in homes. Living in colonies ranging between 1,500 and 15,000, wasps typically sting humans
near nesting sites or if swatted away from a food source.
OSU Extension announces free pesticide drop-off day. The East Oregonian, 17 July 2008, 175 words,
(English.) Farmers, orchardists and other agricultural operations near Milton-Freewater can safely
and anonymously dispose of old or unusable pesticides during a collection event on
July 24, the Oregon State University extension office announced Tuesday.
Pest
controllers called out 2,200 times. Peterborough Today,
(UK,) 15 July 2008, 431 words, (English.) A
plague of furry, feathered, slimy and smelly bugs have caused more
than 2,200 problems for the city's pest control team in a year.
Pesticide
controls 'unacceptable.'
BBC
News, 15 July 2008, 212 words, (English.) Georgina
Downs claims the government's method of assessing the health risk
of chemicals sprayed on crops does not address long-term rural
residents.
Council
expected to decide on pesticides today.
Calgary Herald, (CAN,) 15
July 2008, 264 words, (English.) City council began debate
Monday night on whether to phase out cosmetic pesticide use, but a
decision won't be made until this afternoon.
Bats
in our belfries. Houston
Community Newspapers, 14 July 2008, 948 words, (English.) Holy
guano! Bats have emerged from their caves, trees or manmade
structures for the summer months, minus a Joker or Two-Face to
contend with – only human annoyance.
New
greenhouse will concentrate on more environmentally friendly
insect controls. Texas A&M AgNews, 14 July 2008, 538 words, (English.) A
new greenhouse largely funded by the Texas nursery plant industry
will research ways to reduce chemical use and increase biological
control of insects and other pests, said Texas AgriLife Extension
Service experts.
Feds
tough new pesticide rules mirror California policy.
San Jose Mercury News, 12
July 2008, 446 words, (English.) Stiff new federal pesticide rules
won't have much impact on California agriculture, farming
advocates said Friday.
EPA
strengthens controls on 5 common pesticides. Associated Press,
10 July 2008, 438 words, (English.)
The federal Environmental Protection Agency strengthened
regulations Thursday on five common pesticides and for the first
time required farmers to set up sizable buffer zones around fields
treated with the chemicals.
A
scrubbable feast: Albemarle to decide if green is clean.
The Hook, 9 July 2008, 892 words, (English.) If
your name is Lysol or Clorox, you’re no longer welcome in
Albemarle County buildings, and you may soon be banned from county
schools as well. On June 4, the Board of Supervisors did away with
synthetic chemical cleaning agents in county buildings, ending
routine disinfecting of high-touch areas— bathrooms and
kitchens– unless there’s a viral outbreak or other health
emergency. In place of disinfecting, the new policy calls for
sanitizing— cleaning with plain old soap and water or green
cleaners. On Thursday, July 10, the Albemarle County School Board
will begin considering whether schools should also go green when
it’s time to clean.
Mating
race with light brown apple moth questioned.
San Jose Mercury News, 8 July 2008, 620 words, (English.) The plan to substitute sterile moths for
aerial spraying as a way to combat the light brown apple moth has
mollified many anti-spraying activists, but some pest-control
experts have cast fresh doubt on how effective the program can be,
based on the moth's mating habits.
You
can beat those bedbugs.
Associated Press, 5
July 2008, 234 words, (English.)
Late
at night when you're sleeping, the bedbugs come creeping. And it
seems the little bloodsuckers have made their way throughout the
United States, spreading from the major cities where the
infestations started a few years ago.
IPM certification awarded to Wells-Ogunquit CSD.
Portsmouth Herald News, 3 July, 2008, 220 words,
(English.) Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Star Certification was awarded to the Wells-Ogunquit C.S.D. at the
school committee meeting June 18. Although it is now state law
that all schools in Maine adhere to IPM practices, the district
becomes just the second in the state and the 26th in the nation to
receive this certification.
Pesticide
approved for 'crazy' ants in SE Texas.
Associated Press, 1 July 2008, 288 words, (English.) The
Environmental Protection Agency has given approval for some
southeast Texas homeowners to use a pesticide to deal with a
species of ant that has ruined sewage pumps, fouled computers and
caused fire alarms to malfunction.
Bugged
by mosquitoes? Here's how to zap them.
Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, 25 June 2008, 773 words, (English.) They're
resilient little suckers. Mosquitoes. At least 63 species call
Georgia home, with nearly 20 causing itchy irritation in the
Atlanta area, experts say.
Calif.
aerial spray program suspended.
Associated Press, 21 June 2008, 238 words, (English.) Officials have abruptly canceled a state program to spray
chemicals to combat crop-eating moth in urban areas after months
of public uproar over its unclear effects on the environment and
human health.
Centralia
schools control pests. KOMU-TV, MO,
19 June 2008, 246 words, (English.) The Environmental Protection
Agency is recognizing a mid-Missouri school district for its
efforts to keep pests out of its walls.
Student
finds career in pest management.
Mississippi State University, 19 June 2008, 622 words, (English.) James
“Wes” McPherson had his mind set on veterinary school three
years ago when he began his freshman year at Mississippi State
University, but his heart refused to listen.
Pesticides,
heat pose risks for elderly.
Arizona Republic, 30 April 2008,
444 words, (English.)
I recently received information in the mail that might be of
interest if you're caring for an older person. These fact sheets
are provided free by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) as part of its new aging initiatives (www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/).
The information has been translated into 15 different languages.
EPA
orders retailers to pull Miracle-Gro pesticides. Arizona
Republic, 25 April 2008, 157 words, (English.) Home Depot,
Wal-Mart and several other retailers must stop selling mislabeled
pesticides from Scotts Miracle-Gro, regulators said Friday.
Some
labels more truthful than others.
Consumer
Reports, 22 March 2008, 613 words, (English.) Organic
Oreos? These days, supermarket shelves are stocked with organic
Ragu pasta sauce and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. According to
ShopSmart, the shopping magazine published by Consumer Reports,
organic foods, including fruits, meats and dairy, may not be on
everyone's shopping list, but more people are reaching for them
anyway.
47,000
pounds of pesticides collected in three-day effort. Arkansas
Democrat Gazette, 27 November 2007, (English.) More than 47,000
pounds of unwanted agricultural pesticides were collected earlier
this month in Cross, Lee and St. Francis counties.
There
are plenty of insect assassins. Anchorage Daily News, 24
May 2007, 979 words, (English.) Ladybugs
aren't the only ones skilled in bad-bug annihilation. All kinds of
insects are equipped to conduct search-and-destroy missions in
your garden, taking out riff-raff in all kinds of ways, including
one especially creepy modus operandi reminiscent of the ill-fated
dinner scene in "Alien."
State
board adopts proposal to restrict 2,4-D, weedkiller.
Arkansas Democrat
Gazette, 1 February 2007, (English.) The State Plant Board on
Wednesday adopted a pesticide committee recommendation to restrict
the agricultural use of 2,4-D and glyphosate and will hold public
hearings on the proposals.
Proposed
pesticide limits miss state's threshold. Anchorage Daily News, 9
January 2007, 281 words, (English.) An
initiative to restrict the use of pesticides in and around schools
failed to reach voters because the sponsors didn't collect enough
signatures, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell announced Monday. The
initiative, pushed by Alaska Community Action on Toxics, would
have required schools to only use pesticides as a last resort, and
even then, to use the least dangerous products available.
