For a scare, read label on pesticide
I have been reading the letters about gypsy moths and the damage they have created. The major damage has occurred in areas not sprayed with the state authorized treatment BT.
The areas that were sprayed had about a 50 to 70 percent success ratio each time they were sprayed. After the two recommended sprayings, this yielded about an 85 percent kill rate.
We now hear the cries for Dimilin, a restricted use pesticide. I will now quote from the Specimen Label for Dimilin.
I could give you the entire label but I won't. It does not get better.I am not a tree hugger, but I can read a label and I believe everyone should read this one.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Precautionary Statement
- Avoid contact with skin
- Applicators and other handlers must wear: A long sleeved shirt and long pants, shoes plus socks — wash hands before eating, drinking, and chewing gum, using tobacco or using the toilet. Remove clothing immediately if pesticide gets inside. Then wash thoroughly and put on clean clothing.
- Environmental hazards: This pesticide is extremely toxic to crabs, shrimp and other aquatic invertebrates.
- Do not apply directly to water, or areas where surface water is present or to inter-tidal areas, drift or runoff from the treated areas may be hazardous to aquatic organisms in neighboring areas. Do not contaminate water when disposing of equipment wash waters. ... Do not apply this product in a way that will contact workers or other persons either directly or through drift.
Click here for full label There is a reason why the state banned this product and refused to authorize its use last year due to the extensive water in the Pinelands.
I am not happy with the cost of BT — I am not happy that it is only 50 to 70 percent effective. I would not be happy with the township spraying Dimilin as school buses make their rounds next gypsy moth season.
It is going to be your choice. Safety or cost? Please read the label.
Mike Hogan
TabernacleBurlington County Times
July 19, 2007