The Dirty Details: The Dirty Details: Understanding the New Law & Understanding the New Law & Guidance for Managing School Guidance for Managing School

FieldsFields

Jennifer Grant, NYS IPM ProgramJennifer Grant, NYS IPM Programatat

Cornell UniversityCornell University

An SFMI webinar, April 13, 2011An SFMI webinar, April 13, 2011

Thank You Sponsor!Thank You Sponsor!

Pesticide BanPesticide Ban ““Child Safe Playing Fields Act”Child Safe Playing Fields Act” Goes into effect May 18, 2011 Goes into effect May 18, 2011

for schoolsfor schools Already in effect for day care Already in effect for day care

centerscenters Targets “playgrounds, turf, Targets “playgrounds, turf,

athletic or playing fields” athletic or playing fields”

Pesticide BanPesticide Ban Ornamentals not mentioned, but Ornamentals not mentioned, but

SED considers them included in SED considers them included in the spirit of the lawthe spirit of the law

Similarly, it is unclear whether Similarly, it is unclear whether fence lines and building edges fence lines and building edges are included—but SED wants to are included—but SED wants to minimize children’s exposure to minimize children’s exposure to pesticidespesticides

Pesticide BanPesticide Ban DEC, in consultation with SED DEC, in consultation with SED

& OCFS, has provided guidance & OCFS, has provided guidance on alternatives on alternatives

www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/41822.html41822.html

Pesticide BanPesticide Ban ““No school shall apply pesticide to any No school shall apply pesticide to any

playgrounds, turf, athletic or playing fields, playgrounds, turf, athletic or playing fields, except that an emergency application of a except that an emergency application of a pesticide may be made pesticide may be made as determined by the as determined by the county health department or for a county not county health department or for a county not having a health department such authority as the having a health department such authority as the county legislature shall designate, the county legislature shall designate, the commissioner of health or his or her designee, commissioner of health or his or her designee, the commissioner of environmental conservation the commissioner of environmental conservation or his or her designee, or, in the case of a or his or her designee, or, in the case of a public school, the school board.”public school, the school board.”

ExceptionsExceptions

AntimicrobialsAntimicrobials Aerosol products to protect from stinging Aerosol products to protect from stinging

& biting insects& biting insects Non-volatile insect or rodent baitsNon-volatile insect or rodent baits EPA “exempt” products, OMRI approvedEPA “exempt” products, OMRI approved Boric acid & disodium octaborate Boric acid & disodium octaborate

tetrahydratetetrahydrate Horticultural soaps & oilsHorticultural soaps & oils

Emergency ApplicationsEmergency Applications

For public schools, the school board For public schools, the school board may grant permission to make may grant permission to make emergency applicationsemergency applications

For private schools and day care For private schools and day care centers, the DOH or DEC may grant centers, the DOH or DEC may grant permissionpermission

Emergency ApplicationsEmergency Applications

No guidance in the law on what an No guidance in the law on what an “emergency” is“emergency” is

The Guidance document says these The Guidance document says these are NOT emergencies:are NOT emergencies: If manageable with allowed products and If manageable with allowed products and

practicespractices If routine or repetitive pest problemIf routine or repetitive pest problem If purely for aesthetic reasonsIf purely for aesthetic reasons

Potential “Emergencies”Potential “Emergencies”

Poison IvyPoison Ivy Grub infestation in athletic fieldsGrub infestation in athletic fields Crane Flies in athletic fieldsCrane Flies in athletic fields Invasive species anywhereInvasive species anywhere

Weeds in athletic fields??Weeds in athletic fields??

PreparePrepare

Examine past pest history & Examine past pest history & pesticide usepesticide useWhat pests &/or damage have you What pests &/or damage have you

observed in the past?observed in the past?What has been used previously?What has been used previously?What are your alternatives now?What are your alternatives now?

Anticipate potential emergenciesAnticipate potential emergencies

Communicate with School Communicate with School BoardBoard

In advanceIn advance Potential pests and management Potential pests and management

plansplans Potential and expected emergenciesPotential and expected emergencies

What are acceptable criteria (history, What are acceptable criteria (history, threshold)?threshold)?

What actions might be allowed?What actions might be allowed? What will request and approval process What will request and approval process

be?be?

Questions about Questions about the law?the law?

Growing Grass without Growing Grass without PesticidesPesticides

It’s all about culture (grass It’s all about culture (grass selection, seeding, mowing, selection, seeding, mowing, watering)watering)

Turf density, bare spots, weeds, are Turf density, bare spots, weeds, are the main problemsthe main problems

Turf diseases rareTurf diseases rare Turf Insects: Grubs primary issueTurf Insects: Grubs primary issue Substitute allowable products are Substitute allowable products are

rarerare

Growing Grass without Growing Grass without PesticidesPesticides

Right Grass/Right PlaceRight Grass/Right PlaceSeed!Seed!Mow RightMow RightFeed Smart w/ N FocusFeed Smart w/ N FocusSeed!Seed!WaterWater

Cultural Weed Cultural Weed ManagementManagement

Do not allow bare Do not allow bare spotsspots

Grow dense turfGrow dense turf Raise mowing heightRaise mowing height Relieve compactionRelieve compaction Optimize fertilityOptimize fertility Overseed! Overseed!

Broadleaf Weed Broadleaf Weed ManagementManagement

HerbicidesHerbicidesYou may want to clean up any heavily You may want to clean up any heavily

infested areas between now and May 17infested areas between now and May 17thth with a three way broadleaf herbicidewith a three way broadleaf herbicide

Look at FORECAST for timing of Look at FORECAST for timing of dandelion control, dandelion control, www.nrcc.cornell.edu/grass/

Crabgrass ManagementCrabgrass Management HerbicidesHerbicides

You may want to treat areas with a heavy You may want to treat areas with a heavy crabgrass history with a preemergent crabgrass history with a preemergent herbicide before May 17herbicide before May 17thth

Alternative Alternative Products and Products and Practices for Practices for

Weed Weed ManagementManagement

Selective: useable in turf areasSelective: useable in turf areas Corn gluten mealCorn gluten meal

Non-Selective (Round-up alternatives)Non-Selective (Round-up alternatives) Propane flamePropane flame Hot water treatmentsHot water treatments Alternative productsAlternative products

Acetic acid products (less than 8% only)Acetic acid products (less than 8% only)Eugenol, clove oilEugenol, clove oilHerbicidal soapHerbicidal soap

Weed ManagementWeed Management

* All are exempt from pre-notification & pesticide ban *

Alternative ChemicalsAlternative Chemicals

Corn glutenCorn gluten

W O WTM

Alternative ChemicalsAlternative Chemicals

Corn glutenCorn gluten

* Works NO Better than Nitrogen * Works NO Better than Nitrogen alone.alone.

* An expensive way to apply N! * An expensive way to apply N!

Non-selectives

Weed Flamer

Propane flamingPropane flaming Get minimum of 10,000 Get minimum of 10,000

BTUBTU 10 gal tank backpack or 10 gal tank backpack or

20 gal on a cart20 gal on a cart Great for parking lots, Great for parking lots,

fencelines and drivewaysfencelines and driveways

http://www.flameengineering.com/Weed_Dragon.htmlThe Weed Dragon, approx. $300

Hot Water TreatmentHot Water Treatment• • Aquacide (from Smithco)Aquacide (from Smithco)

Hot Water Treatment w/ foamWaipuna

Steam

Green Steam Weed Killer*by Rittenhouse

4 hours

15 days

Hot water, steam, flameHot water, steam, flame Burns off vegetation, mainly on surface, but can affect Burns off vegetation, mainly on surface, but can affect

roots. Fast action.roots. Fast action. Works best on annuals, seedlings or surface rooted plantsWorks best on annuals, seedlings or surface rooted plants Works better on broadleafs Works better on broadleafs Regrowth likely, especially on older plants.Regrowth likely, especially on older plants. Typical control, good for 3-5 weeks.Typical control, good for 3-5 weeks. Use with caution (burn potential)Use with caution (burn potential)

Alternative non-Alternative non-selective herbicidesselective herbicides

Elizabeth Lamb, Brian Elizabeth Lamb, Brian Eshenaur, Debra Marvin, Eshenaur, Debra Marvin,

Jennifer GrantJennifer Grant

Alternative productsAlternative products Acetic acid (8% or less)Acetic acid (8% or less) Eugenol, clove oilEugenol, clove oil Herbicidal soapHerbicidal soap

Weed ManagementWeed Management

* All are exempt from pre-notification & pesticide ban ** All are exempt from pre-notification & pesticide ban *

Immediate effect

Hand weeded on left

Clove oil on right

Cell membrane disruptersCell membrane disrupters Quick foliar burnQuick foliar burn Best on young weedsBest on young weeds Better on broadleavesBetter on broadleaves Require good coverageRequire good coverage Require repeated applications to Require repeated applications to

perennialsperennials Typical control, good for 3-5 Typical control, good for 3-5

weeks.weeks. Some have a noticeable odor, Some have a noticeable odor,

though not necessarily unpleasantthough not necessarily unpleasant

Product ExamplesProduct Examples

Herbicidal SoapHerbicidal Soap Burnout (Acetic acid, clove oil & more)Burnout (Acetic acid, clove oil & more) C-cide (citric & ascorbic acid)C-cide (citric & ascorbic acid)

Tough WeedsTough Weeds

Several products are not effective Several products are not effective against:against: BindweedBindweedNutsedgeNutsedgeDandelion Dandelion Queen Anne’s Lace Queen Anne’s Lace Clover also somewhat Clover also somewhat

persistentpersistent

Usage ConsiderationsUsage Considerations Products are more expensive than Roundup or hand Products are more expensive than Roundup or hand

weeding, but take less labor than hand weeding or weeding, but take less labor than hand weeding or weed trimmingweed trimming

For tougher perennials, it may be smart to consider an For tougher perennials, it may be smart to consider an initial hand weed or standard chemical pesticide, with initial hand weed or standard chemical pesticide, with alternative product for maintenancealternative product for maintenance

Follow personal protective equipment instructions, Follow personal protective equipment instructions, some products are very caustic!some products are very caustic!

Best if used in combination with good cultural Best if used in combination with good cultural practices such as gravel along bldg. edge and under practices such as gravel along bldg. edge and under fence lines and growing healthy desirable plantsfence lines and growing healthy desirable plants

Must be certified to apply pesticidesMust be certified to apply pesticides

Sampling time is mid-late August

Curative Treatment Time (Trichlorfon or Nematodes) -Late August - October -Earlier is better

Preventive Treatment Time (Imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole) -June or July -June if other insect problems, if grubs only, July

Entomopathogenic Entomopathogenic NematodesNematodes

Biological, non-chemicalBiological, non-chemicalNo EPA registration requiredNo EPA registration requiredApply like a pesticideApply like a pesticideQuick killQuick killPersistence & recycling potentialPersistence & recycling potential

www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/nematodes/

• 1 billion nematodes per acre (23,000,000/1,000 ft2)(250,000/m2)

• H. bacteriophora for grubs and black vine weevils

• S. carpocapsae for caterpillars

Nematode Recommendations

NYS IPM Program

www.nysipm.cornell.edu

Thank you!

Tall FescueThe future of natural sports turf in NY

• Drought tolerant• Rapid establishment• Deep Roots • Tolerates more grubs• Surface feeding insect resistance• Wear tolerant

• Drought tolerant• Rapid establishment• Deep Roots • Tolerates more grubs• Surface feeding insect resistance• Wear tolerant

Tall FescueTall Fescue

Heavy OverseedingHeavy Overseeding

>4 lbs./1,000 >4 lbs./1,000 ftft22

Perennial Perennial RyegrassRyegrass

BroadcastBroadcast Weekly during Weekly during

playing seasonplaying season

Economics of Frequent Economics of Frequent OverseedingOverseeding

Assume seed rate 2 lbs per 1000Assume seed rate 2 lbs per 1000Assume cost $1.25/ lb.Assume cost $1.25/ lb.Weekly cost $2.50/1000Weekly cost $2.50/1000Assume 16,000 sq ft = $40/weekAssume 16,000 sq ft = $40/weekAssume 26 weeks = $1040Assume 26 weeks = $1040

Where is the traffic?Where is the traffic?

Traffic Issues begin and end with Use DisciplineTraffic Issues begin and end with Use DisciplineMove/rotate field markings when possibleMove/rotate field markings when possibleIncrease number of fieldsIncrease number of fieldsKeep players off A fields during wet conditions Keep players off A fields during wet conditions

Thank You Sponsor!Thank You Sponsor!

Our goal: Help green industry professionals run their business more Our goal: Help green industry professionals run their business more efficiently and productively by providing everything they need.efficiently and productively by providing everything they need.

• Irrigation Supplies

• Landscape Lighting

• Pumps

• Pipe and Fittings

• Pavers

• Tools

• Landscape Materials

• Seed

• Sod

• Fertilizer

• Soil Amendments

• Direct Sales

• Nursery Stock

• Ponds and Fountains

• Business Solutions

• And much more

John Deere Landscapes NY John Deere Landscapes NY locationslocations

BR Reg Branch Manager Br Phone Br Fax Mailing Address City ST Zip

149 2 Potter Mark 845-226-8250 845-226-5143 1374 Route 82 Hopewell Junction NY 12533

162 2 Zubkow Michael 631-369-7703 631-369-7348 188 Kroemer Avenue Riverhead NY 11901

266 11 Trzeciak Kenneth 518-371-4012 518-371-4210 1653 Route 9, Suite 2 Clifton Park NY 12065

429 2 Paparelli Ronald 631-582-8547 631-582-8578 100 Patco Ct Ste 7 CENTRAL ISLIP NY 11749

444 11 Rumsey Jason 585-427-2070 585-427-2075 51 Goodway Dr Rochester NY 14623-3055

455 2 Artusa Michael 516-822-2870 516-932-8040 110 New South Road Hicksville NY 11801

479 2 Cherry Douglas 845-627-0607 845-623-5348 210 W Nyack Rd West Nyack NY 10994

485 2 Acevedo Edward 914-736-9056 914-736-0104 2 John Walsh Blvd Peekskill NY 10566-5332

490 2 Ritacco Robert 914-948-1619 914-948-1540 75 Virginia Road North White Plains NY 10603

497 11 Brewer Randy 716-568-1440 716-568-1438 385 Crosspoint Pkwy Getzville NY 14068-1612

505 11 Sagendotf Eric M. 518-456-2334 518-456-3748 12 Walker Way Albany NY 12205-4946

559 2 Sikora Michael 631-727-3134 631-369-2494 1129 Cross River Dr Riverhead NY 11901

574 11 Abel William 315-437-3423 315-437-3669 6030 Drott Dr East Syracuse NY 13057-2943

582 11 Rhodes Jeffrey 716-662-1818 716-662-2819 4140 S Taylor Rd Orchard Park NY 14127-2246

600 2 Branca Rocco 914-834-2987 914-834-3573 5 5th Ave Larchmont NY 10538-1915

738 11 Harrington John 607-763-1745 607-763-1747 101 Lester Ave Johnson City NY 13790-2261

752 2 Hegarty Kevin 631-287-1029 631-287-4092 15 Mariners Dr Southampton NY 11968

799 11 Piasecki Rodney 585-247-8160 585-247-8179 700 Mile Crossing Blvd Ste 1 Rochester NY 14624-6290

Save the Date!Save the Date!

October 2-5, 2011October 2-5, 2011School Facilities Conference & ExpoSchool Facilities Conference & Expo

Managing ChangeManaging Change

Saratoga Springs, NYSaratoga Springs, NY

December 6-7, 2011December 6-7, 2011School Facility Managers’ Academy SeriesSchool Facility Managers’ Academy Series

New York State School Boards Association, Latham, New York State School Boards Association, Latham, NYNY