Pesticides and herbicides are used to control unwanted bugs and plants (“pests”) such as insects (ants, wasps), rodents (mice, rats), weeds, or other unwanted organisms. Although efficient, even when used correctly, these chemicals can cause harm to human health or have negative consequences within the environment. It is important to consider less toxic or other alternatives and always follow label instructions when pesticide applications are needed.

TAKE ACTION! Read the label of the pesticide you are thinking about purchasing and select the pesticide carefully. Ensure that it is appropriate for the pest and determine where you will use it. Click here to learn more about how to read a pesticide label or here for what to look for or here for common questions and answers about pesticide labels.

In California, pesticides are regulated by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) as well as by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). To learn more about why pesticides can be harmful and how they are regulated, visit the following websites:

• United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)

Although there are many different types of pesticides, one group of pesticides called pyrethroids is of particular concern because they are being found in our local waterways. Pyrethroid pesticides are primarily used for ants, cockroaches, and other insects. However, it takes them a long time to break down into less harmful components once they’re in the environment, which means that they can cause unintended harm to many other types of beneficial insects (e.g., bees, ladybugs) and aquatic life.

TAKE ACTION! Products that contain pyrethroids typically have active ingredients that end with the letters “-thrin.” When reading the pesticide label, look to see if any of the active ingredients include the following:

• Permethrin
• Bifenthrin
• Cyfluthrin
• Beta-cyfluthrin
• Cypermethrin
• Deltamethrin
• Lambda-cyhalothrin
• Tralomethrin
• Esfenvalerate (an exception to the “-thrin” rule)

If a pyrethroid is an active ingredient, consider other ways that you might address the pest, such as other less toxic pesticides or controls that do not require the use of a pesticide.

To learn more, visit Our Water – Our World: Pesticides and Water Quality.

“Point-of-purchase” or “point-of-sale” campaigns are focused efforts to educate and raise awareness among both retailers and consumers so that they can make informed decisions about what types of products are available for sale (retailers) and what products are most effective, least harmful, and ultimately purchased (consumers). Point-of-purchase displays often include materials such as shelf edging or tags and display stands with fact sheets, banners, and other educational materials Our Water – Our World (OWOW) is an example of an established point-of-purchase program that is implemented in retail stores that sell pest control products in northern California.

TAKE ACTION! Next time you visit your local gardening and home supply retailer, look for displays and educational materials about pesticides and which controls are best for each type of pest that you may encounter. You can also click here to find stores near you that participate in the OWOW program.

MHCSD is collaborating with the City of Tracy and other agencies to introduce new stores that will participate in the OWOW program close to Mountain House neighborhoods.