Don’t pour it on. Use care. Use less.
As Contra Costa residents, we live in an environment surrounded by beautiful creeks, river, the Delta and the Bay –each important to our everyday life. It’s up to us to make sure that we keep our water clean and healthy today and in the future.
Over use of pesticide products is not healthy for your garden or the environment. Please use these products sparingly, follow the instructions on the label, and avoid applying these products on rainy or windy days. Better yet, use less toxic alternatives. This will help prevent run-off into storm drains and our waterways.
When the pesticide container you’re using is almost empty, rinse it and your application equipment at least three times and pour that diluted mix on your lawn. If an accidental spill happens, cover the area with sawdust or kitty litter, sweep it into a plastic garbage bag and take it to a household hazardous waste facility.
Did you know:
- Up to 80% of all stormwater pollution is the result of improper residential practices.
- Many home gardeners use pesticides at 20 times the rate farmers do.
- About 90% of the insects on your lawn are not harmful.
- Pesticides can be harmful to your children or pets.
- One ladybug may eat as many as five thousand aphids in a lifetime.
- 100% of stormwater that runs off into creeks, the Delta and the Bay is untreated.