Safe Substitutes For Controlling Pests | If You Must Use Pesticides
How Safe Is Your Pesticide? | Pesticide Disposal | About Pests
Tips for maintaining healthy plants | Cleaning up spills if they do happen

Clean up all spills when they happen. If building materials or other wastes get into a gutter, storm drain, or creek call the Plans & Public Works Department immediately. Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. call 831.646.3920 for other hours call the 24-hour emergency service at 831.646.3914.

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

1. Physical controls: Caulking holes, barriers, hand picking, traps
2. Biological Controls: Predatory insects; bacterial insecticides;
3. Chemical Controls - Your Last Resort Use these least-toxic products:
   • Dehydrating dusts (silica gel), Insecticidal soaps, Boric acid powder, Horticultural oils, Pyrethin-based insecticides, Insect Growth Regulators

Safe Substitutes For Pest Control

• For garden aphids and mites - Mix 1 Tablespoon of liquid soap and 1 cup of vegetable oil. Add 1 teaspoon of this mixture a cup of water and spray. (Oil may harm vegetable plants in the cabbage family.)
• For caterpillars - When caterpillars are eating, apply products containing Bacillus thuringiensis to leaves.
• For ants - Place boric acid powder or hydramethylnon baits in problem areas, cracks, and insect walkways. It is a mild poison, so be sure it is inaccessible to children and pets.
• For roaches - Apply boric acid powder 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 that farmers do.

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How Safe Is Your Pesticide?

Pesticide Safety Contacts
Poison Control Center	Prevention, Education 1.800.582.3387 24-hour hotline 1.800.876.4766; 1.800.972.3323 TDD (for hearing impaired)
National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, EPA-funded	24-hour Hotline: 1-800-858-7378
Citizen’s Guide to Pesticides, EPA	Consumer Information Center P.O. Box 100 Pueblo, CO 81002. ($0.50) Request #426X.
National Capital Poison Center	Web site

Pesticide Disposal

• Household toxics - such as pesticides, cleansers, and motor oil - can pollute the ocean and poison groundwater if disposed of in storm drains or gutters.
• Rinse empty pesticide containers and use rinse water as you would the product. Dispose of empty rinsed containers in the trash.
• Always dispose of unused household toxics at a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event. To find out dates and locations, call 831.646.3920 or email us.
• Dumping toxics into the street, gutter, or storm drain is illegal!