Honey Bees are dying at an alarming rate, and this winter marked the worst losses by far. Last week, the European Union took a major step to protect our bee population, placing a two year ban on the pesticides thought to be responsible – but the U.S. is still finding excuses for inaction. Sign this petition urging the EPA to take action now:
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Save the Bees
Dogs Absorb Lawn Chemicals
Dogs are ingesting, inhaling and otherwise being exposed to garden and lawn chemicals that have been associated with bladder cancer, according to a new study.
The paper, which will appear in the July issue of Science of the Total Environment, also found that wind could carry the chemicals to untreated properties. The researchers also found that dogs, once contaminated by the chemicals, can transfer them to their owners.
The chemicals are common herbicides containing the following: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chloro-2- methylphenoxypropionic acid (MCPP) and/or dicamba.
“The routes of exposure that have been documented in experimental settings include ingestion, inhalation and transdermal exposures,” lead author Deborah Knapp of Purdue University’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, told Discovery News.
“In the case of dogs,” she added, “they could directly ingest the chemicals from the plant, or they could lick their paws or fur and ingest chemicals that have been picked up on their feet, legs or body.”
Scottish terriers, West Highland white terriers, Shetland sheepdogs, beagles and wire hair fox terriers are all at particular risk, the researchers suggest, because these breeds have a high genetic propensity for bladder cancer. Read more here…
Persistent Herbicides Causing Major Problems in Compost
Recently Green Mountain Compost, owned and operated by Chittenden County Solid Waste District, Williston, Vermont, suffered a devastating discovery—something in their compost was causing garden plants to distort and wither! The culprit? A couple of pernicious, persistent herbicides called clopyralid and picloram. This after investing $2.3 million in a state-of-the-art facility designed to recover food waste, yard debris and agricultural wastes from Burlington and the surrounding area. How did these herbicides, which have negligible recorded licensed use in Vermont, get there? They were probably used on a hay field somewhere to control weeds, the hay was fed to horses, the horses’ manure was sent for composting along with other materials, and the finished compost had traces of the herbicides in sufficient strength and amount to cause damage. It takes VERY little to kill many garden plants, as little as 10 parts per billion. That is like 1 drop diluted in an Olympic sized swimming pool.
Pediatricians Give Stern Warning Against Pesticides
The American Academy of Pediatrics has come out against the use of pesticides where children can come in contact. Also available is a list of symptoms associated with exposure to various classes of pesticides can give light to what these poisons can potentially do to our children.
Children should have as little exposure to pesticides as possible, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged.
A policy statement and technical report from the organization outlined steps for pediatricians to identify pesticide poisoning, evaluate for pesticide-related illness, provide appropriate treatment, and help prevent unnecessary exposure and poisoning.
“Children encounter pesticides daily and have unique susceptibilities to their potential toxicity,” James Roberts, MD, MPH, and colleagues wrote in the December issue of Pediatrics.
Household insecticides, pet flea and tick chemicals, and agricultural pesticide residues are all hazards but may not constitute the biggest impact. Read More Here
Do you really know what’s outside your door?
Check out this chart of chemicals from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Pesticide Survey (1990), Farm Chemicals Handbook (1989), The National Home and Garden Pesticide
There is a better way.
Call Harrington’s Organic Land Care to find out how to make your green lawn “green” today!
860-243-8733
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/30enviro.pdf
Spring Organic Lawn and Tree Care
We’re gearing up for your landscape’s first spring treatment. Soon you’ll see Steve and his truck in Glastonbury spraying compost tea! Or maybe Jay around South Windsor applying your first Organic Crabgrass Preventive. Whichever Connecticut town you live in be on the lookout for Harrington’s Organic Land Care.
If you don’t already practice organic land care call us at 860-243-8733 to schedule a consultation and soil test.
Become a part of the Pesticide-Free Lawn Initiative and reduce your carbon footprint today!
Towns we service:Farmington, Unionville, West Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Enfield, Suffield, Granby, East Granby, Tarrifville, Bloomfield, Coventry, Tolland, Bolton, Burlington, Bristol, Plainville, Avon, East Hartford, Manchester, East Windsor, Broadbrook, South Windsor, Ellington, Vernon, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Wethersfield, Newington, East Berlin, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, West Simsbury, Canton, New Hartford
Deer are Hungry!
Now is the time to protect your trees and shrubs from the deer munching away and leaving your landscape bare this spring’
Our environmentally friendly, non-toxic, deer repellent spray has been the preferred product for large scale forestry operations (including the USDA Forestry service) since 1993. The non-toxic, environmentally friendly, EPA exempted ingredients deter deer before they bite– not after! Our product emits an odor that animals associate with predator activity. It is also proven effective against elk, moose, rabbits, voles, moles, opossums and other small critters such as chipmunks and squirrels. We also have a new granular product that is very beneficial to your landscape. Some of you may have had problems in the past with animals that feed on your annuals in the summer and perennials throughout the season including the winter time. The granular product is the same product as our liquid repellant but can be applied year round! Another bonus to the granular product, the active ingredient is Bloodmeal, an organic fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. The product has a long lasting effect, 100% natural, environmentally friendly and is safe to use around children and pets. There are no unpleasant odors to applicators, and it is not harmful to animals or the environment when used as directed. Applications can be made year round on any vegetative growth that animals prefer (except food crops). The liquid repellent is rain fast after 24 hours and the granular can be applied anytime.
Don’t let your landscape look like this in the spring! Call us today (860) 243-8733
Winter Burn – Don’t let it happen to your valuable shrubs!
Winter damage can be a serious problem for evergreen plants in windy, or south/southwest facing locations. It can manifest itself in several different ways. Damage will usually appear as wilting, browning or bleaching on the leaves.
The most common form of winter damage is “winter burn” which results from warm sun and wind causing excessive transpiration or loss of water in foliage. When the roots are in frozen soil they are not able to replace the lost water and browning of the leaves will result.
Our anti-desiccant spray can help protect your exposed ornamental evergreens by reducing transpiration up to 80%. When plants are relying on stored moisture all winter, it is important to help them retain as much as possible for healthy growth next spring. Multiple applications may be needed depending on location and conditions.
Call us to schedule an application - 860-243-8733
Pesticide-Free Lawn Initiative
Inspired by Connecticut Towns such as Plainville, Cheshire, and Granby using organic gardening practices on town properties, Farmington River Watershed Association has launched a pesticide-free lawn initiative. Their efforts are two-fold; to educate homeowners and businesses about the dangers of synthetic pesticide and herbicide uses and to maintain a growing list of home and business owner properties that refuse to use these dangerous and lethal chemicals.
If you are interested in learning about the dangers of synthetic lawn chemicals and how to make your lawn “green” naturally, please call us at 860-243-8733 for a consultation and soil test!
We service the following towns:
Farmington, Unionville, West Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Enfield, Suffield, Granby, East Granby, Tarrifville, Bloomfield, Coventry, Tolland, Bolton, Burlington, Bristol, Plainville, Avon, East Hartford, Manchester, East Windsor, Broadbrook, South Windsor, Ellington, Vernon, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Wethersfield, Newington, East Berlin, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, West Simsbury, Canton, New Hartford
