By Michelle Wiesbrook

To some, the idea of using herbicides in “natural” settings may seem a little ironic, but in fact herbicides are a useful and valuable tool for land owners and managers. Natural areas including woodlands, prairies, and even hedgerows in urban landscapes can be overtaken by invasive weeds – which are also “natural”. Weeds can alter ecosystems and rob sunlight, water, and nutrients from desirable plants which affects their growth and yield. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of herbicide use in these areas, alternative methods of weed control, and common application methods. Of course we typically recommend that non-chemical methods be implemented first before resorting to using herbicides.

Hand or physical removal can result in instant gratification but there may be limitations. Perhaps you have many more weeds than workers. Perhaps the weeds can’t be reached due to their location or perhaps they must be handled carefully due to possible dermal reactions, which is the case with wild parsnip and poison ivy. Others may have thorns or prickles such as multiflora rose or bull thistle, or an abundance of pollen such as ragweed. Hand digging or grubbing doesn’t always result in effective control or it may not be possible to remove all the roots. This is certainly the case with larger woody species but even with rhizomatous, perennial spreaders such as Canada thistle or quackgrass. Many of us have experienced the joy of digging up these weeds only to feel the snap of the rhizomes break off and know then that growth will soon return. We may be limited in our physical abilities and physical removal can result in sore muscles. We can use large equipment such as cutters and mowers, but certain woody species will send up shoots after cutting. Often cutting must be repeated and that’s time consuming. Large areas or infestations can require many, many manhours.

Herbicides also have pros and cons. These can be used after cutting to prevent new sprouts and provide a more complete kill. They can also provide long lasting, selective, quick control in an efficient manner. Of course this is product dependent. Some herbicides are slower acting than others and some do not provide residual control but instead affect just the weeds present at application. Residual can be good and bad and there are uses for both types. Herbicides are often less labor intensive, less time consuming, and more economical. However, they are not suitable for every situation and off-target movement can occur. This is where the herbicide moves out of the area intended for application and can cause injury.

Off-target movement can result in much damage to desirable vegetation, humans, and wildlife if we are careless or if weather conditions are not appropriate. It could happen on your property or worse yet on the neighbor’s. Drift can be extremely expensive with fines and legal counsel. Pesticides become environmental hazards when they move off-target. Ideally, a pesticide should affect only the target pests and persist no longer than necessary to control them. Problems occur when pesticides are used in a manner that differs from what’s directed on the label or when spills occur. Unfortunately, this isn’t a new problem. As long as we’ve had herbicides, we’ve had off-target movement. Pesticides can help or harm the environment so it’s important for users to be aware of the environmental risks and use practices that minimize adverse effects.

An integrated approach is recommended and referred to as Integrated Pest Management or IPM. The most efficient and successful weed-control programs will include the use of nonchemical controls. These can include cultural controls such as controlling weeds early before they set seed which prevents future weeds, covering bare soil with mulch or groundcovers, using weed free materials to avoid introducing weeds, and cleaning equipment to prevent weed spread. Other methods include controlled burning, biological controls, and mechanical controls including mowing, cutting, girdling, and grubbing. For more effective control, a herbicide may be used immediately following some of these methods.

Herbicides are registered and labeled for legal use in specific areas. The application method or methods will be specified in the label directions. Herbicides can be applied a variety of ways and at different times of year. One very common way would be to the leaves called a foliar application. Also, the bark or cut stumps can be treated and herbicide can be injected into stems or applied to the soil. The method you choose depends on many factors including your target weed, the site, the time of year, available equipment, and the herbicide. Consult with the label for guidance while planning any control effort.

Some herbicides can be applied to the leaves. This type of application should be limited to herbaceous plants, SMALL trees, and shrubs as there is increased drift potential with tall trees. Foliar treatments are most effective when applied just after full-leaf expansion when food reserves are low in late spring or early summer. Good spray coverage on the leaves is needed. For large infestations, broadcast applications to the entire area would be practical. For clumps of weeds, spray guns can be used for spot treatments using directed spray. For increased application control and to eliminate the risk of non-target injury, a foliar wick or wiping applicator can be used to paint on the herbicide. Certainly offtarget movement can occur with any type of application. However, most often injury occurs from a broadcast application. In situations where off-target drift is a concern, cut stump or basal bark applications would be a better option.

With basal-bark applications, herbicide is applied to the lower 12 to 18 inches of the trunk. This kills the tree and any basal buds that might sprout. Oil-soluble (usually ester) formulations of herbicides are applied in diesel oil or kerosene to penetrate the bark. Non-petroleum based penetrating oils are also available which are less injurious to groundcovers. This technique is for selective control of trees smaller than 4-6 inches in diameter and is less effective on rougher, thicker bark. Treatments can be made throughout the year except when the bark is very wet or covered with ice or snow. Be sure to minimize the amount that runs into the soil as excess amounts can injure or kill adjacent desirable trees and groundcovers and their roots may extend into the treatment area. To reduce possible off-target injury, dormant-season applications may be desirable. Another method of application is the “broad band” or “thin line” which uses a small band (often a pencil thin stream) of a highly concentrated herbicide. This type of application is targeted and precise with low risk to neighboring plants. Be sure to follow label directions as this method will NOT be found on every label.

Certain herbicides may be applied to cut surfaces. With girdling, a herbicide can be applied to the cut for more effective control. Also, herbicide can be sprayed into spaced, horizontal cuts that penetrate the sapwood; this is called hack n’ squirt. Alternatively, an injector such as a hypohatchet can be used to dispense herbicide when it is struck into a tree. Also, the E-Z-Ject Lance is a stem injection system that can be used to inject capsules of glyphosate or imazapyr every 4 inches around the base of the stem.

Often cut stumps will resprout but this can be prevented by treating the stump with a herbicide. The label will provide specific directions but typically the sapwood and bark are treated soon after cutting to ensure downward movement. Some labels (especially products containing 2,4-D) instruct users to apply the herbicide to the entire surface of the cut. This is often the case for smaller stems too with various products. Some product labels may call for the use of a penetrating oil. For applications in spring during sap flow and when timeliness of application is a concern, the oil-carried herbicides are recommended. Labels vary on application specifics so read and follow them carefully.

One final concern you should be aware of when controlling trees is herbicide “flashback”. This is the passive movement of herbicide from a treated tree to another nearby, nontreated tree through grafted roots, extrusion through the roots, or perhaps from movement through the soil. Unintended injury can result and imazapyr is a known offender.

Lastly, certain herbicides can be applied to the soil to provide residual control and prevent new weeds from germinating. These can be applied at planting and may be tilled or watered into the soil down to where the germinating seeds are. Some of these herbicides are used in non-crop situations such as along a fence line or driveway to prevent ALL plant growth. These must be used with extreme caution. Some are quite mobile in the soil and some can persist for several months. Label directions must be followed carefully. Off-target roots can take these up and desirable plants can be injured.

No matter the control method, each has its list of potential problems and benefits. Herbicides can be used in a variety of ways to help restore or maintain the quality of our natural areas. They are best used as part of an IPM program and should always be used safely according to label directions.

By Michelle Wiesbrook

Off-target movement occurs when a pesticide moves out of the area intended for application and can cause damage to desirable vegetation, humans, and wildlife. Any pesticide can move off-target but herbicides tend to result in the most easily visible damage. In this article, we will discuss the different types off-target movement, the factors that influence each, prevention, and why this topic is more important now than ever before. When applicators are more informed and have a better understanding of these issues, they can act accordingly to better keep their applications on target.

Pesticides can move off-target by air and by water. When they move by air, we call this drift. Each year, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) receives on average approximately 120 pesticide misuse complaints, of which 60% are pesticide drift complaints. Recently, it’s been higher with the change in use patterns of dicamba and 2,4-D that are being used more frequently and much earlier (and sometimes later) in the season. There are two types of drift. Particle drift is the movement of spray droplets and it’s influenced by nozzle size (which determines droplet size), wind speed, and wind direction. Smaller droplets provide nice coverage on a leaf but weigh less and are carried easily by the wind. Larger droplets are heavier but may roll off the leaf. It’s a balancing act for applicators. Prevent particle drift by using drift reduction nozzles that produce fewer small droplets. Operate at a lower pressure and lower your spray height so droplets have a shorter distance to travel to the target site. Do not spray in winds greater than 10 MPH. Do not spray when there is no wind as this can indicate an inversion. Check downwind for sensitive areas and use untreated buffers or return to spray later when winds are blowing away from the area. Additionally, drift reduction adjuvants can help result in larger droplets but you want to ensure you have a compatible product for your product and equipment.

Inversions are where particles can hang in the air like fog and then move once the wind picks up speed. They are complicated and fortunately are being researched. Inversions are challenging for applicators to identify but smoke that flattens out can indicate the presence of one. They are more likely to occur on clear nights with little to no cloud cover. They begin in the evening, build in intensity overnight, and generally dissipate in the morning once the temperature rises 3 degrees so we recommend applicators wait until then to spray.

Vapor drift is the movement of spray vapors or gasses. These can be produced up to several days after application and can travel a few miles. All pesticides are susceptible but some that can volatilize to a significant degree are these herbicides: dicamba, 2,4- D, and clomazone. A very small amount can injure very sensitive plants such as ornamentals, grapes, tomatoes, and soybeans. Vapor drift is influenced by formulation and temperature. Prevent vapor drift by avoiding applications during hot weather. Many labels will direct users to not apply when temperatures are above 85 degrees. Use less volatile formulations when possible. Ester formulations are more volatile than amine formulations. If given a choice and temperatures are warm, go with the amine. Save the esters for cooler weather. Check the label for warning statements. Keep in mind that the applicator is responsible for drift even if it’s not easily seen so it’s best to use practices to prevent drift.

Pesticides can also move off a treated area with water by runoff and contaminate surface water such as ponds and streams. Erosion can cause contamination if pesticides are attached to the sediments. Many factors affect this including soil and pesticide properties, vegetative cover, volume and rate of water, topography, & climate. Prevent surface water contamination by avoiding treating bare slopes, not spraying before heavy rain, using untreated vegetation filter or buffer strips, and following surface water advisory statements on labels.

Pesticides can contaminate groundwater by run-in and leaching. Run-in occurs when pesticides move directly from the soil surface to the groundwater before they are adsorbed or degraded. Run-in can occur through abandoned wells, cracks, and sinkholes. Shallow aquifers are at greater risk because the distance to travel is short. Pesticides can also move downward through the soil with percolating water. This leaching occurs mainly in sandy, permeable soils. It’s a real problem when the water table is close to the surface with shallow wells drawing from it. Leaching is influenced by several factors including pesticide properties (including solubility, adsorption, and persistence), soil properties, site conditions, and management practices including spills, improper disposal of containers and unwanted pesticides, and back siphoning while filling tanks.

Leaching is more likely to occur with sandy soils, groundwater that is close to the surface, and with lots of water moving downward through soil. Additionally, leaching is more likely with pesticides that are highly persistent, poorly adsorbed to soil, and highly water soluble. Prevent leaching by reading and following label directions and check the label for application restrictions; many include water advisory statements. Be familiar with your site conditions and choose products wisely such as those with a lower potential to move.

Of course many problems can be alleviated simply by using other control methods and saving herbicides for when they are absolutely necessary. Scouting should always be used first to determine if there is a need to use chemicals. Use the lowest labeled rate and application frequency to achieve acceptable control. However, if you are dealing with possible herbicide resistance issues, you’ll need to use a higher rate per label guidance. Never exceed the labeled rate! Use spot treatments rather than broadcast applications when possible. Lastly, plan well.

Safe herbicide applications start with good planning. To prevent off-target movement or accidental injury, herbicides MUST be used properly! This can be achieved not only by carefully reading and following all label directions but also ensuring that you understand label directions. If you aren’t sure how to interpret something, contact the manufacturer through their website or by calling the number on the label. Every product registered for use by EPA will have this statement on the label in the Directions for Use section, “It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.” The label is the law. Commercial applicators are required to demonstrate learned knowledge with a competency exam to obtain licensure with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Private land owners are required to test and obtain licensure only if purchasing or applying Restricted Use Pesticides but no license is required for General Use pesticides. General use pesticides are not likely to cause harm to the environment or to the user when used according to label directions and these can be purchased and applied by the general public. Restricted Use Pesticides will state that at the top of the front panel on the label.

When planning an application, there are several factors to consider. Buy only what you plan to use to avoid storage and unwanted product. Ensure you have equipment that works properly. Replace old worn nozzles, cracked leaky hoses or tanks. Ensure you have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) per label directions, including chemical resistant gloves. At a minimum, we recommend you wear a long sleeved shirt, long pants or coveralls, a hat, shoes, socks, and unlined, chemical resistant gloves. More PPE may be required for mixing and loading. PPE must be worn to prevent exposure and pesticide poisoning.

Care should be taken to reduce impacts to non-target species. Environmental risks should be evaluated including the proximity of sensitive plants. How close are they and what are they? Is it your neighbor’s vegetable garden? Consider leaving an unsprayed buffer especially if wind is blowing towards sensitive species. Windbreaks can help in certain situations. Consider the weather conditions as well as the proximity to surface water or groundwater. Labels will provide guidance but it’s recommended that wind speed be between 3 and 10 mph to help direct the drops to the target but not blow them away. Be prepared to stop spraying if the wind direction shifts or the speed increases. Typically, we want good soil moisture which will aid plant growth and control but we do not want rain too soon after application as it can be washed off. Here again, the label will provide specifics on a rain-free period. Watch your radar for rain, record your wind speed on site at spray boom height with a weather meter. The weather app on your phone is super handy but wind speed can be different from where you are compared to where it is officially recorded. Keeping good application records is just good insurance in case something goes wrong or plants nearby show strange growth afterwards.

To protect water quality, there will be setback requirements provided on the label for bodies of water including wells to protect water quality. For example, a label may state: “Do not apply directly to water” or “May not be mixed, loaded, or used within 50 feet of all wells and sinkholes.” For weed control in standing water, be aware that the herbicide must be labeled for aquatic areas. Consider the topography and soil texture. For soil applied products, there may be restrictions based on soil type or even as simple as the use site. Be sure that your primary weed species are listed so you have the right product for the job.

Herbicide injury to off-target plants (more specifically drift injury) is as old as herbicides themselves, but it has become a more common occurrence in recent years. Changes in use patterns of certain herbicides such as glyphosate, glufosinate, paraquat, 2,4-D, and dicamba due to herbicide resistant weeds, the development of herbicide-tolerant crops, and the switch to conservation tillage have contributed to this trend. The level of exposure to gardens and landscape plants has increased with more homes being built in rural areas where these products have been traditionally used. Additionally, bad news travels fast and social media helps accelerate the speed and awareness by prompting others to check their properties for possible damage. Across the state, there have been several reports of damage to crops (especially soybean), but also to landscape plants and most notably trees. Inconsistent temperatures and rainfall cause stress which can increase herbicide sensitivity and herbicide injury can be the breaking point for an already stressed tree. With dicamba, much has been learned over the last few years about factors that can contribute to its volatility including weather and tank-mixing partners. Further label restrictions have been added including detailed record keeping, a temperature and application date cut-off, and required certification with additional training. Applicators do not want their product to drift any more than the owner of nearby, sensitive plants wants them damaged. Off-target movement is expensive, challenging, and often emotions run high. It is best prevented in the first place. It is imperative that applicators do all they can to keep their applications on target.

For more information on preventing drift, check out the Pesticide Safety Education Program website for newsletter articles, other publications, and online trainings. Our Herbicide Tolerant Crop Stewardship online training was recently updated. This free resource was created for use by producers but is valuable to anyone interested in knowing more about drift as well as desiring to improve neighbor communications related to the issue. Additionally, another good resource is the North Central IPM Center’s “Herbicide Drift Risk Management Working Group” which has factsheets on dicamba and 2,4-D. Specialty crop growers in particular will find these of interest.

By Maria Turner

In October 2020, the USEPA renewed the registrations of the three products XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology, Engenia Herbicide and Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology. Although many of the label restrictions for all remained the same, below is a listing of changes or additions to the federally approved labels. In addition to the requirements of the federally-approved labels, all use of pesticides containing dicamba on soybeans in Illinois must now comply with the following requirements:

Temperature Restriction

Dicamba shall not be applied on soybeans if the air temperature at the field at the time of application is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit or if the National Weather Service›s forecasted high temperature for the nearest available location for the day of application exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Local National Weather Service forecasts are available at https://www.weather.gov.

Cutoff Application Deadline

Application on soybeans of dicamba shall not be made after June 20 of each year for Illinois applicators. The federal Cut-off date is June 30th for Soybeans and July 30th for cotton.

Prior to Application

The applicator shall consult the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry and comply with all associated recordkeeping and label requirements.

Wind Direction

Dicamba shall not be applied if the wind is blowing toward:

• any Illinois Nature Preserves Commission site that is adjacent to the field of application; or
• an adjacent residential area.

Buffers

In-field, the downwind buffer increased to 240’ from 110’. The following areas may be included in the buffer distance calculation when directly adjacent to the treated field edges:

1. Roads, paved or gravel surfaces, mowed grassy areas adjacent to field, and bare ground from recent plowing or grading that are contiguous with the treated field.
2. Planted agricultural fields containing dicamba-resistant plantings of cotton and soybeans.
3. Areas covered by the footprint of a building, silo, or other manmade structure with walls and/or roof.

Planted agricultural fields containing corn or crops other than dicamba-resistant plantings of cotton or soybeans are not allowed to be used in the endangered species buffer distance calculations.

Volatility Reduction Agent

A qualified VRA/pH buffering adjuvant is required for use in the spray tank for every application

Endangered Species Buffers

Downwind buffer increased to 310’ from 110’

Endangered Species Counties

This has changed since last year with currently 18 Illinois counties instead of 29. (Bureau, Effingham, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle, Livingston, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, St. Clair, Tazewell and Will.) Visit www.epa.gov/espp for details.

Cleaner Label Structure

The labels now have fewer pages. Only includes pre- and post-emergent uses for DT soybean and cotton – conventional crop and non-crop uses have been removed from the label.

Qualified Hooded Sprayer Option

This has been added to allow for a reduction in spray drift buffers.

5-year Registration Date

Registration ends in 2025.

Additional Training and Record Keeping Requirements-

All records must be generated within 72 hours after application. Sample record forms can be found on manufacturer’s website.

Should you have any more questions please check out the recently updated Illinois Department of Agriculture dicamba site or call or 217-785-2427

Compiled by Maria Turner.

Source Illinois Department of Agriculture

By Sarah Hughson

On May 11, 2021, in the Federal Register, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it had received requests, from product registrants, to voluntarily cancel 102 pesticides. This includes pesticides intended for structural pest, turf, landscape and agricultural use from companies like Syngenta, Bayer, Scott’s Company and BASF.

For a complete list of the products to be canceled, please visit the Federal Register and refer to Table 1 in the PDF.

Existing stocks of most of the products (those produced and packaged prior to the cancellation) can be sold and distributed for 12-months after the cancellation date. After that, they cannot be sold or distributed with in the US except for disposal.

Some companies requested and were approved for 18-months to sell existing stocks. These companies and products were:

One company requested and was approved to sell existing stocks until Sept. 30, 2022. That product was Veratran D by McLaughlin Gormley King Company.

Persons other than the registrants, may distribute, sell or use existing stores of these products until they are exhausted, as long as that usage is consistent with the product label.

To learn more please refer to the cancellation notice in the Federal Register:

US Environmental Protection Agency. 2021. Notice of Receipts of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations. Federal Register. Vol. 86, No. 89. pg. 25861-25865.

By Maria Turner

Pesticides are an important management tool in agricultural production. They protect yields and reduce the presence of foreign materials in some commodities. They provide many benefits when used properly. However, it seems we are hearing more and more about pesticide misuse than we have in the past. There are several reasons for this. The use pattern for the herbicide dicamba has changed greatly. We know from personal experience or news reports that pesticide misuse can have serious consequences. Due to the immediacy of today’s media, newsworthy errors are known to many people quickly. Most recently as more folks are working from home, they are more aware of sprayers out in fields. Furthermore, as urban areas expand more readily into rural areas, some spray applications are made closer to homes than in the past. In areas like this, the public’s tolerance for misapplications is very low. Herbicide injury can be easily noticed on plants yet proper identification can be challenging as symptoms will often mimic that of insects or disease. Plants can become distorted, spotted or even die when exposed to certain pesticides – especially certain herbicides. Often the wind has carried a pesticide away from its intended target and onto neighboring susceptible vegetation. When injured plants are found and a pesticide is suspected to be the cause, a person can call the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) Bureau of Environmental programs and file an official complaint. An investigation then takes place and a determination is made concerning whether or not pesticide misuse (a label violation) has occurred.

IDA reports misuse numbers yearly. The chart below takes a look at the pesticide misuse complaints filed from 2015-2021. These years are highlighted to show a picture of the trends we are seeing including what pesticide misuse looked like prior to dicamba use in soybean in 2017 and then with new stricter regulations established in 2020. As indicated in the bar chart, ag-related complaints still have a ways to go before they are back to the low numbers we saw in 2015 and 2016, but it appears the label restrictions placed on soybean applications of dicamba in 2020 are working to reduce the number of misuse cases compared to that of recent years.

IDA also received numerous informal complaints in recent years. Often people just wanted a problem to be recognized without a formal record. Fortunately, many of the concerns brought to IDA’s attention were alleviated quickly with educational information. These inquiries allow the IDA to educate consumers about pesticides and provide them with resources like those found on the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) website and the University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program website. It is IDA’s goal to resolve these types of issues quickly and separately to allow the program to dedicate more resources to complex, high-risk investigations.

With formal complaints, initial allegations often raise concerns, but it is common for many investigations to conclude that the evidence does not demonstrate pesticide misuse. These investigations still provide an opportunity to verify compliance however. Additionally, what can complicate matters a bit is vapor drift, which is capable of traveling a few miles from an application. In 2019, atmospheric conditions contributed to more instances of vapor drift. If vapor drift is suspected but the source cannot be determined, a label violation cannot be found. When violations are found, the outcomes include different administrative actions, such as sending written warning letters, notices of fines, or penalties issued.

Misuse complaints and cases can be reduced with proper pesticide use which starts before application. Take time to observe the surrounding area. Look for children, nearby farm workers, and sensitive crops. Then, read the label. If vapor drift is a concern, label statements will direct users so that it can be avoided. Some label directions specify the maximum wind speed for application. Other labels simply indicate the product should not be used when weather conditions favor drift. Strong winds blowing pesticides onto surrounding properties result in the largest number of complaints, so care should be taken to apply when winds are between 3 and 10 mph and directed away from sensitive vegetation. Other precautions include leaving a buffer strip, increasing droplet size, lowering spray pressure and using a drift control additive. Finally, keep accurate, detailed records, including wind speed and direction during application.

Should a complaint need to be filed, it must be received within 30 days of the incident or when the damage was first noticed. If a person waits to file the complaint, it will be recorded but no action will be taken. Please note that the Department’s role in pesticide misuse incidents is limited to determining whether a violation has occurred. The IDA cannot help complainants recover damages. For more information, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Environmental Programs at 1-800-641-3934 (voice and TDD) or 217-785-2427.

By Travis Cleveland

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced the single-day collection sites and dates for the 2021 Pesticide Container Recycling Program. Dates and locations are available on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website.

Year-round disposal is available at two permanent collection sites. Please call to ensure the facility will be open.

• Griggsville, IL. Logan Agri Sry, Inc., contact Josh Schaver, 217-833-2375
• Lawrenceville, IL. Klein Flying Service, contact Robert Klein, 618-884-1040
• Carmi, IL. Klein Flying Service, contact Bri Klein, 812-890-8605

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers and agrichemical facilities to save their empty agrichemical containers. Beginning in late July and continuing in August, single-day sites throughout the state will collect containers. The containers will be recycled to make shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, plastic lumber and other useful products. Over 1.6 million pounds of plastic have been collected since the program started more than 20 years ago.   

Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program. Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, #2 plastic agrichemical containers that are clean and dry.  Participants are responsible for rinsing them and removing all caps, labels, booklets and foil seals.  

Mini-Bulk and Intermediate Bulk containers can be recycled via the Department's container recycling program by making the following container preparations: Mini Bulk (cage) containers are required to be cut into separate top, bottom and sides, fittings discarded (no metal, no wood) (6 slabs of plastic). Intermediate Bulk Containers are to be cut into 1-foot square pieces, fittings discarded (no metal, no wood). In 2021, G. Phillips and Sons, LLC Began offering services to pick up Mini-Bulk and Intermediate Bulk containers throughout the year. Please feel free to contact G. Phillips and Sons, LLC at 678-232-6047 to learn more about their Mini-Bulk and Intermediate Bulk container collection service.

The program is a cooperative venture between the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Container Recycling Council, GROWMARK, Inc., Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, G. Phillips and Sons, L.L.C., Illinois Farm Bureau, and the University of Illinois Extension.

Additional information can be found on the IDOA website, click on the "Environment" tab and then "Agrichemicals". To obtain a free brochure about the program, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture toll-free at 1-800-641-3934.

Preparing pesticide containers for recycling:

Rinsing right after use is the best way to ensure a clean container. Depending on what system fits your operation, you can either triple rinse or pressure rinse your containers. Your local agricultural chemical dealer can give you more information about pressurized rinse systems.

Triple Rinsing

1. Fill the empty container about 20% full with water.
2. Replace the cap securely and shake the contents to rinse all inside surfaces.
3. Pour rinse water into the spray tank and drain for at least 30 seconds.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 twice more until the container is clean.
5. Inspect the container (inside and out) for formulation residues. Repeat as needed.

Pressure Rinsing

1. Use a special nozzle attached to a water hose.
2. Hold the container upside down over the spray tank with the cap removed. Puncture the side of the container with the pointed nozzle.
3. Pressurized water cleans the inside surfaces while the rinsate flows into the spray tank.
4. Rinse for 30 seconds or longer while rotating the nozzle to rinse all surfaces.
5. Inspect the container (inside and out) for formulation residues. Repeat as needed.

Illinois Department of Agriculture, May 11, 2021 press release, modified by Travis Cleveland

Residents of ten Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture's (IDOA) agricultural pesticide "Clean Sweep" program.

"Clean Sweep" collections have been scheduled in late summer for Clay, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne and White counties. The collection, which rotates among Illinois counties, is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide applicators, structural pest control applicators and landowners who inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property.

"There are two main reasons to take advantage of this program," said Brad Beaver, Acting Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs.  "One, the Department is able to provide the service free of charge thanks to a grant obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  If individuals were to properly dispose of agrichemicals on their own, it would be expensive.  Secondly, the state of Illinois, not the program participant, will assume liability for the proper disposal of all materials collected."

Participants must register the products they plan to dispose of by Thursday, July 22.  Registration is required to give the waste disposal contractor time to prepare for the different kinds of materials that will need to be handled.  Forms can be obtained either online or by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Hotline at 1-800-641-3934. 

Completed forms should be mailed or faxed to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  The mailing address is:  Clean Sweep Program, Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL, 62794-9281.  The fax number is (217) 524-4882.  Participants then will be sent a reservation card indicating the date, time and location of their collection. 

The "Clean Sweep" program began in 1990 in Illinois.  Since the inception of the program, the Department has held 51 collection events through the state and collected 609,619 pounds of material from 2,177 participants. Visit IDOA’s website for a complete listing of the 2021 Clean Sweep Program sponsors.

Illinois Department of Agriculture, May 25, 2021 press release, modified by Travis Cleveland

Download, save, and share the 2021 May/June issue of the newsletter. 

The development and publication of this newsletter has been supported with funding from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Michelle Wiesbrook, Extension Specialist, Pesticide Safety Education

The Illinois Pesticide Review is published six times a year. For more information about pesticide safety or for more issues of this newsletter, please visit us at www.pesticidesafety.illinois.edu. You can also reach us at 800-644-2123.

Disclaimer: Mention of trade names in this newsletter is for general information purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of one product over another, nor is discrimination intended against any product.

Copyright © 2021, Board of Trustees, University of Illinois

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim today announced the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collections for the spring of 2021. Illinois EPA HHW collections provide residents with free collection events to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous household products commonly found in homes. As with past events, all Illinois EPA HHW collections are contactless for the safety of participants. Additional safety tips are included following the schedule below.

“Our Household Hazardous Waste Program has worked to provide more opportunities for residents that rely on these events to dispose of old, unused chemicals and other hazardous products in a safe and proper manner,” said Director Kim. “Last fall, we announced five hubs that will be supplemented with other collection partners to more thoroughly cover the State. Thanks to our many co-sponsors, we now have partnerships with eight hub locations to continue offering this essential program to more communities.”

The HHW hub partners include the City of Bloomington, the City of Effingham, the City of Springfield, the City of Quincy, Champaign County, Jackson County, Peoria County, and Rock Island County. Those not included on the spring schedule are planning fall 2021 events.

Each year, Illinois EPA coordinates with local municipalities to conduct one-day collections to provide no-cost public drop-offs for the disposal of household hazardous waste. The first of these collections began in November 1989. Since then, over 401,350 households have participated in 449 events, with more than 78,100 drums of material collected.

One-day collections are open to all Illinois residents and operate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the event. Residents participating in these events are encouraged to bring chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides and pesticides, old or outdated medication, and similar hazardous household products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED include latex paint, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and business wastes.

A complete list of household hazardous wastes that are and are not accepted is available online. 

The spring 2021 one-day collections are scheduled on Saturdays as follows:

• March 27 – Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, 102 North Main Street, Hillsboro, IL, Co-sponsor: Montgomery County
• April 10 – Champaign,* Champaign County, Market Place Shopping Center, 2000 North Neil Street, Champaign, IL, Co-sponsor: Champaign County
• April 17 – Carthage, Hancock County, Hancock County Office, 550 North Madison Street, Carthage, IL, Co-sponsor: Hancock County Farm Bureau
• May 1 – Sterling, Whiteside County, 202 Wallace Street Sterling, IL, Co-sponsor: City of Sterling
• May 15 – Henry, Marshall County, Marshall Putnam County Fairgrounds, 915 University Avenue, Henry, IL, Co-sponsor: North Central Illinois Council of Governments
• May 22 – Waterloo, Monroe County, Monroe County Fairgrounds, 4177 IL-156, Waterloo, IL, Co-sponsor: City of Columbia
• May 22 – Herscher, Kankakee County, Herscher High School, 501 North Main Street, Herscher, IL, Co-sponsor: Herscher Community Unit School District #2
• June 5 – Aurora,* Kane County, 200 North River Street Aurora, IL, Co-sponsor: City of Aurora
• June 12 – Glencoe,* Cook County, 275 Park Avenue Glencoe, IL, Co-sponsor: City of Glencoe
• June 19 – Carbondale,* Jackson County, SIUC Arena Parking Lot, 1400 Arena Drive Carbondale, IL, Co-sponsor: Jackson County
• June 26 – Lake in the Hills, McHenry County, Huntley School District - Reed Road Campus, 10910 Reed Road, Lake in the Hills, IL, Co-sponsor: McHenry County

*These events require pre-registration. Please contact the event co-sponsor to preregister:

• Champaign: Sign up here. Susan Monte, 217-819-4127.
• Aurora: Kelvin Beene, 630-450-4657
• Glencoe: Megan Olson, 847-835-4111
• Carbondale: Kassidy Phoenix Stevens, 618-684-3143

For safe transport of household hazardous waste, residents are asked to:

• Pack household hazardous waste items in a disposable box to avoid spilling during transport.
• Keep like chemicals together and separate unlike chemicals.
• Secure lids and make sure containers are not leaking.
• Place box(es) of household hazardous waste in empty trunk of your vehicle, away from passengers during transport.
• Remain in vehicle at collection site. Onsite personnel will remove the household hazardous waste from your vehicle.

In addition to the one-day collections, longterm collection facilities are available for disposal of household hazardous waste throughout the year. Those locations, and additional information can be found online.

Source: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Press Release, March 18, 2020, Springfield, IL

By Maria Turner

What comes to mind when you think of absorption rates? When I think of an absorption rate, the first thing that comes to mind is a paper towel and how fast it can absorb mom’s first cup of coffee that was just knocked off the counter by two little boys in a sword fight. Of course, some brands of towels are faster than others. It isn’t often that I think about my body’s skin being like a paper towel, but it too can absorb substances. Imagine this slogan, “Your skin, the quicker picker-upper." Our skin is a vital organ to our body and can take in substances, including pesticides. A dermal exposure occurs when a pesticide contacts and enters the body through the skin. Dermal exposure can occur when mixing, applying, or otherwise handling a pesticide. It also happens to be the most frequent route of pesticide entry into the body, often going undetected.

The severity of this exposure depends on several factors:

• Dermal toxicity– the ability of a pesticide to cause injury when absorbed through the skin
• The absorption rate through the skin
• Size of the area of the skin that is contaminated
• Length of time the pesticide is in contact with the skin.

Pesticide manufacturers determine a product’s toxicity by exposing test subjects to various amounts of the pesticide. Because folks tend to shy away from volunteering to participate in these types of studies, researchers must rely on test subjects such as rats, mice, rabbits, etc. For dermal tests, the pesticide is placed on the skin of the test subject and covered with a bandage for 24 hrs. The dose of pesticide that kills 50% of the test animals is known as the LD₅₀ value. For example, if 5 out of 10 animals weighing 1 kilogram die being given 100 milligrams of pesticide, the dermal LD₅₀ is 100 mg/kg. The value can be high or low based on how toxic it is. A product with an LD₅₀ value less than 200 mg/kg is poisonous in that it takes very little of that product to be lethal compared to a product with an LD₅₀ of 2,000-20,000 mg/kg.

You will not find the LD₅₀ number on a pesticide label. Instead, manufacturers provide a signal word based on the pesticide’s acute toxicity. The signal word allows users to gauge a pesticide’s toxicity quickly. In order of degree of toxicity, the signal words are DANGER (highly toxic), WARNING (moderately toxic), and CAUTION (slightly toxic). Be aware; some pesticides that are considered very low in toxicity are no longer required to have a signal word on the label. Remember, even though a pesticide may not have an indicated signal word, that does not mean it isn’t toxic. All pesticides, even those very lowly toxic, must be handled responsibly and with care.

Rates of absorption through the skin vary for different parts of the body. Areas of the body that are warm or moist (for example, head, groin, armpits, and neck) tend to absorb pesticides to a greater degree. Absorption can be quicker if there are cuts or abrasions on the skin but can be slower if there is more hair or thicker skin like calluses.

Pesticide formulations can vary in their ability to penetrate the skin. Additionally, it is not only the active ingredients that may be dangerous; many pesticides are carried in oil-based materials. If the oil carrier gets into the bloodstream, the results can be fatal. An oil-based formula like an emulsifiable concentrate will pass through the skin much faster than a water-soluble formulation. The oil crosses the skin barrier very rapidly and can carry pesticide’s active ingredients with it.

The absorption of some pesticides through the skin in higher absorption areas is rapid enough to approximate the effect of injecting the pesticide directly into the bloodstream. At this rate, this is more dangerous than swallowing the pesticide. Absorption continues to occur through the affected skin areas as long as the pesticide remains in contact with the skin. The exposure is more severe if the contaminated area is large or if the pesticide stays on the skin for a long time. It is recommended to wash work clothes and personal protection equipment (PPE) daily so that pesticides that reach the clothing or PPE do not create a repeated pesticide exposure.

Protecting your skin is vital when protecting yourself from pesticide poisoning. To reduce or avoid the potential for a dermal exposure, be sure to carefully read, understand, and follow the product label’s instructions. Be sure to wear adequate PPE. Finally, to reduce your potential for a pesticide-related accident, take proper precautions before and observe good safety practices during the application. Otherwise, your skin could be that paper towel.

By Travis Cleveland and Michelle Wiesbrook

Although most applicators keep pesticide application records because it makes good agronomic sense to do so, there are legal reasons to keep these records as well. The purpose of this article is to sift through the gossip and guessing about the record-keeping requirements and get to the facts. As you will see, the type of information you are legally required to keep depends on your type of business and the type of pesticide you use. There is nothing wrong with keeping more detailed records than is required by law. Many folks view their pesticide records as a good “insurance policy” against false accusations. Although it is not required in Illinois, it is a good idea to record (on-site) wind direction and speed during the application should you find yourself in the middle of a drift complaint. Organic pesticides are no exception if they are registered pesticides. Additionally, under the federal rule organic certification requires application records. For more information on record requirements, contact your certifier.

Private Applicators

 According to the 1990 Farm Bill, all private applicators (those who apply pesticides to their own land) must maintain records of restricteduse pesticide (RUP) applications. See Code of Federal Regulations Title 7 Part 110. The following information must be recorded within 14 days of the RUP application (Note: WPS exception below) and maintained for 2 years.

1. The brand or product name, and the EPA registration number of the restricted use pesticide that was applied
2. The total amount of the restricted use pesticide applied
3. The location of the application (any identification system that accurately identifies the location of the application). For spot applications, simply enter “spot application” and a short description of the location. Greenhouses and nurseries must still give complete descriptions for spot applications (e.g., which bench, row, block, plant)
4. The size of area treated, and the crop, commodity, stored product, or site to which a restricted use pesticide was applied
5. The month, day, and year on which the restricted use pesticide application occurred
6. The name and certification number of the certified applicator who applied or who supervised the application of the restricted use pesticide

Commercial Applicators

According to the Illinois Pesticide Act and Illinois Administrative Code, all commercial applicators must maintain records of RUP applications they make. The following information must be recorded and retained for 2 years from the date of application. In addition, federal regulations require all commercial applicators to furnish a copy of either the state or federally required records to the customer within 30 days of the RUP application (Note: WPS exception below).

1. Name of the chemical (pesticide)
2. USEPA registration number
3. Amount of chemical concentration per unit treated (e.g., pounds or ounces per acre)
4. Date of application
5. Use site(s)

Pesticide Dealers

According to the Illinois Pesticide Act and Illinois Administrative Code, pesticide dealers must retain a record of each individual RUP sale for 2 years. The record must include the following information:

1. Purchaser’s name, address, and certification number and type of certification if appropriate
2. Quantity and kind of pesticide sold
3. Date of sale

Worker Protection Standard Requirements

The record-keeping requirements are a bit different for producers who must comply with the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The WPS requires “agricultural employers” to keep certain records for any covered use of a WPS labeled pesticide, either general-use or restricted-use. Additionally, the pesticide application records and hazard information must be displayed in a central location within 24 hours after the end of the application if workers or handlers are on the agricultural establishment. Records for all pesticide applications (including general-use pesticides) must remain available to employees for 2 years beyond the pesticide’s restricted-entry interval (REI).

WPS Pesticide Application Records:

1. Name of the pesticide applied
2. Active ingredient(s)
3. EPA registration number
4. The pesticide’s restricted-entry interval (REI)
5. Crop or site treated
6. Location and description of the treated area(s)
7. Date(s) and times application started and ended
8. Safety Data Sheet of the pesticide applied (Hazard Information)

Keep in mind, the WPS record-keeping requirements are in addition to the requirements previously listed for private and commercial applicators.

Label Specific Requirements

Some product labels require applicators to keep records that are more extensive. For example, the labels for dicamba formulations approved for over-the-top use on soybeans require 22 items to be recorded. These labels also state that the records must be generated within 72 hours after the application.

How should you keep pesticide records?

Since there are no standard forms required for any of these records, you can use any system you like, as long as the required information is included and it is legible and accessible to those who have a legal right to see it. Many pesticide companies, personal protection equipment suppliers, and other organizations offer record-keeping sheets or notebooks. In addition, there are many options for electronic record keeping, including an app by Iowa State University. Again, regardless of how you keep records, be sure you meet the requirements as outlined.

For more information about any of these laws, contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture at (217)785-2427, or the University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program.

Travis Cleveland Michelle Wiesbrook Revised March 2021 from an article written by Bruce Paulsrud, June 8, 2001

Extension's new webstore allows for easy access to publications prepared by University experts. The Pesticide Safety Education section has many updated manuals and workbooks. This material can be useful for self-study during exam preparation. Additionally, these publications are great resources for pest identification and control.

Self-paced training courses to assist applicators in preparing for certification exams. Courses are available for most common categories of licensure, including:

General Standards
Private Applicator
Aquatics
Demonstration &
Research
Field Crops
Grain Facility
Mosquito
Ornamentals
Plant Management
Rights-of-Way
Turfgrass
Vegetable

Access to each course is available for a 30 day window upon purchase. Each course provides a linear flow of content which builds upon itself. You may review the course content as many times as you'd like during your access window. Take A Closer Look.  Register now at the PSEP website.

Download, save, and share the 2021 March / April issue of the newsletter. 

The development and publication of this newsletter has been supported with funding from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Michelle Wiesbrook, Extension Specialist, Pesticide Safety Education

The Illinois Pesticide Review is published six times a year. For more information about pesticide safety or for more issues of this newsletter, please visit us at www.pesticidesafety.illinois.edu. You can also reach us at 800-644-2123.

Disclaimer: Mention of trade names in this newsletter is for general information purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of one product over another, nor is discrimination intended against any product.

Copyright © 2021, Board of Trustees, University of Illinois

We’re on Facebook!  Follow our University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education (PSEP) page for updates on programs, news, and events.

By Travis Cleveland

Illinois PSEP recently launched two online courses designed to prepare Illinois pesticide applicators for the turfgrass and ornamentals category exams. Each course is divided into sections covering Integrated Pest Management, Weed Pests, Insect Pests, Plant Diseases, and Application Equipment and Calibration. Content is delivered in short videos and immediately followed with knowledge check questions. While entirely optional, these questions will help you to determine your exam readiness and any concepts or topics you may want to reinforce in your exam preparation. Each course provides a linear flow of content that builds upon itself. However, you are free to navigate the course in any order you wish. Your progress will be automatically saved so that you can quickly pick up where you left off. Access to each course is available for a 30-day window upon purchase ($25 per course). You may review the course content as many times as you would like during your 30-day access window.

The online ornamentals training course will take approximately two hours to complete. International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has approved this course for the following CEUs: Certified Arborist = 2, Utility Specialist = 1, BCMA Science = 0.75, BCMA Practice = 1.25.

The online turfgrass training course will take approximately two and a half hours to complete. Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has approved this training for 0.35 points toward entry/renewal of Class A Membership and Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS).

To register or view a list of the additional training courses, please visit Illinois PSEP’s Training & Testing web page.

By Travis Cleveland

Do you ever have the feeling that someone is watching you? Well, your intuitions may be correct, especially if you happen to be taking a pesticide certification exam. This should not come as too big of a surprise; Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) staff have always closely monitored individuals taking their pesticide certification exams. We are accustomed to taking those exams at in-person training and testing clinics. IDA recently introduced an online testing option to meet the anticipated certification needs. Online examinees are still monitored throughout the exam, albeit by a remote proctoring service.

A remote proctoring service monitors test takers from a separate location. These services are designed to provide a similar experience and level of security to that of an in-person testing session. During an exam, a proctor will have access to your webcam, microphone, and computer activity. This access is used to verify your identity and to track any unusual behavior such as looking off-screen, accessing unpermitted materials, speaking aloud, or allowing other people in the room. Many services also utilize artificial intelligence to help proctors identify small lighting or sound adjustments and unique behavioral patterns that may warrant further inspection.

While intrusive, remote proctoring is an essential component of offering online pesticide certification exams. Remote proctors ensure exams are secure, credible, and meet state and federal regulations (see 40 CFR 171.103). The proctor can access your computer only during the exam session, and all of their activity can be seen by test-takers in real-time, meaning they cannot perform any action without your knowledge.

IDA and numerous other academic and professional institutions utilize ProctorU to monitor their online exams. If you would like a better idea of what to expect from ProctorU, they have a video available that outlines the remote proctoring process and how to prepare for exam day. When you are ready to take your exam, begin the testing registration process at the Illinois PSEP Training and Testing Webpage.

IDA continues to offer an in-person testing option for individuals with privacy concerns, limited computer access, and those who strongly prefer traditional pencil and paper exams. In-person testing options remain limited due to the state’s COVID restrictions. Visit the IDA In-Person Testing Page to view locations and register for a session. IDA will continue to add new testing locations as they come available.

By Michelle Wiesbrook

US EPA has made available on their Worker Protection Standard (WPS) materials website newly updated posters (and brochures) that can assist agriculture employers with WPS compliance as the posters convey required pesticide safety messages. These posters are available as FREE downloads for printing and are offered in several different sizes as well as 8 different languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Ilocano, Karen, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

The “Protect Yourself from Pesticides” posters are ideal for posting at central locations
and decontamination sites.

Additionally, alternative WPS posters and a vast collection of WPS resources including training materials, videos, handouts, and flipcharts are available at the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative website.

Adapted from an EPA email received on 10/6/20

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has registered the following Dicamba products for the use on soybeans for the 2021 growing season: XtendiMax with Vapor Grip Technology, Engenia Herbicide, and Tavium Plus Vapor Grip Technology. The new federal label for dicamba was issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on October 27, 2020.

The new federal label requirements for these products include:

• Requiring an approved pH-buffering agent, also known as a volatility reducing agent, be tank mixed with dicamba products prior to all applications.
• Requiring a downwind buffer of 240 feet and 310 feet in areas where listed endangered species are located.
• Additional recordkeeping items.

The approved federal label also includes a cutoff date of June 30 for application of these products on soybeans. However, IDOA will be utilizing its authority pursuant to Section 24(a) of FIFRA and relevant provisions of the Illinois Pesticide Act to impose a cutoff date of June 20 for application on soybeans. In addition to the June 20 cutoff date, IDOA also intends to include the following additional application restrictions for application of these products on soybeans:

• Temperature restriction of 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Requirement to consult the Field Watch sensitive crop registry.
• Prohibiting application if the wind is blowing toward any Illinois Nature Preserves Commission site that is adjacent to the proposed field of application.
• Prohibiting application when the wind is blowing toward an adjacent residential area.

“This decision was made after evaluating several factors, including the reduction of pesticide misuse cases involving the use of dicamba on soybeans from 2019 to 2020,” said Acting Director Jerry Costello II. “In 2020, the Department included an 85 degree temperature restriction in addition to the June 20 cutoff date, resulting in an 80% decrease in dicamba misuse complaints.”

Dicamba is a herbicide commonly used on soybeans and cotton. Illinois ranks first in the nation for soybean production producing 532 billion bushels of soybeans per year. The July 30 cutoff date for application of these products on cotton will not be affected.

Source: Illinois Department of Agriculture Press Release, Springfield, IL

By Maria Turner

The Pesticide Safety Education Team has once again updated the reference guide for applicators who will use Dicamba on soybeans. Knowing that planting is approaching quickly this year, it is crucial to now become familiar with the requirements before it is time to spray and you find yourself in a time crunch. Read the label closely and follow the additional state restrictions.

By Michelle Wiesbrook

You read the title and I bet you have your opinion, right or wrong. Over the years, I have heard various concerns expressed about pest control and pesticide use. Certainly, many fingers are pointed at commercial applicators due to the sheer number of applications and acres they treat but in fact, fingers often point toward homeowners with the claim that they simply don’t read and follow product labels or they don’t know what they are doing. “Spray and pray” is the term used.

Truly, commercial applicators must demonstrate to the public that they are knowledgeable in using pesticides safely and effectively. They do this by passing competency exams and obtaining licensure, but what about homeowners? They can legally buy and apply general use pesticides on land they own without testing and licensure. They are however, legally bound to read and follow all label directions.

What about knowledge of IPM and pest control in general for homeowners? These are topics covered in pesticide applicator trainings and study materials, but unless one does this for a living or has a profound interest in the topic, reason stands that this knowledge could be somewhat limited.

Since COVID-19 hit, many homeowners have found a renewed interest in maintaining their lawns and landscapes themselves rather than hire a service. The number of gardens planted this year was much higher than in previous years. In fact, according to Garden Media Group (GMG), we picked up 16 million new gardeners during the pandemic, many of whom are under age 35. A new wave of “Victory Gardening” was spurred  by the increase in home cooking. GMG reports too that 67% of adults are growing or plan to grow edible plants. Seeds and canning lids were in short supply this summer. Growing plants involves protecting those plants from damage causing pests and competing weeds. This brings us back to IPM. How knowledgeable are those who are making pest control decisions? Are pesticides being used indiscriminately without consideration to environment and other pest reducing gardening practices?

With this in mind, a recent study by researchers at the University of Florida was conducted and published in the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management. According to the researchers, this study “comprised part of a large multi-year national study of residential landscape management perceptions and practices”. Participants were U.S. citizens age 18 or older who were responsible for decisions about managing their home lawn and landscape. They were carefully screened and surveyed. The study collected information on a self reported assessment of IPM knowledge and IPM engagement. The study’s findings are interesting with a wide range of knowledge determined within the 2,100 plus population surveyed.

The publication provides discussion and possible explanations as to why IPM adoption is low. It mentions that residential consumers account for more user  expenditures of insecticides than several other users (including agriculture and commercial) combined so a focus on this particular audience is relevant. It also  discusses how Extension is perfectly suited for the role of IPM education as past IPM training efforts by Extension for farmers have been successful and that applying those same methods to homeowners would be logical. For more information about how the study was conducted, details of the survey questions, and full results, please consult the full journal article.

In a recent post by Entomology Today, David Coyle summarized some of the study’s key findings: Most respondents were at least “Fairly knowledgeable” about landscape integrated pest management practices, but between 21 and 26 percent had “Almost no knowledge” of these practices;

Over 55 percent of respondents “Always” or “Most of the time” managed pests in their yard with as few chemicals as possible;

Nearly 25 percent of respondents “Always” or “Most of the time” treat their entire yard with pesticides without identifying pests.

These findings demonstrate that a majority of homeowners report an acceptable awareness and application of IPM best practices, which is fantastic! However, there also exists a need for more homeowner IPM educational resources, which would hopefully reduce the number of people with “almost no knowledge” of IPM practices. The researchers indicated that increased knowledge of IPM is correlated with increased engagement in IPM practices. Overall, Extension has work to do and as long as there are new homeowners and new interests in gardening or landscaping, there will always be work to do. This includes describing best practices using pesticides but also teaching homeowners how to scout and identify pests and beneficial insects.

University of Illinois Extension offers various pest control resources including handbooks, pest cards, blogs, webinars, and videos for homeowners. Their Horticulture YouTube channel has many IPM resources including the What’s in My Backyard Series which is aimed at educating homeowners about tree and weed identification and tree pests of concern. The Good Growing in Illinois Podcast has many IPM related topics such as this one about Good Bugs in the Garden. Numerous horticulture blogs are available but a list of those tagged as containing IPM information can be found at this link. Also, the Master Gardener program is excellent for those who truly want to learn even more about all aspects of gardening. Finally, the Pesticide Safety Education Program’s online training modules are a new resource that anyone interested in learning more about pest control and pesticide safety could benefit from.

Sources:
Residential Pest Management: What Do Homeowners
Know, and What Do They Do?

What Do They Know and What Do They DO? A
National Evaluation of Landscape Integrated Pest
Management Knowledge and Use in the United
States

Garden Media’s 2021 Garden Trends Report: The
Great Reset
 

The Fourth Annual National Pesticide Safety Education Month – February 2021

The purpose of National Pesticide Safety Education Month is to reinforce core principles of safe pesticide use with many audiences and raise awareness of and support for the landgrant university Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs).

The National Pesticide Safety Education Month webpage contains a quiz to check your knowledge of some basic pesticide safety principles and a self-assessment to review some of your own pesticide safety practices at home and at work. You can also view a sample of educational resources produced by landgrant university Pesticide Safety Education Programs and learn the importance of these programs.

Download, save, and share the 2021 January / February issue of the newsletter. 

The development and publication of this newsletter has been supported with funding from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Michelle Wiesbrook, Extension Specialist, Pesticide Safety Education

The Illinois Pesticide Review is published six times a year. For more information about pesticide safety or for more issues of this newsletter, please visit us at www.pesticidesafety.illinois.edu. You can also reach us at 800-644-2123.

Disclaimer: Mention of trade names in this newsletter is for general information purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of one product over another, nor is discrimination intended against any product.

Copyright © 2021, Board of Trustees, University of Illinois

We’re on Facebook!  Follow our University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education (PSEP) page for updates on programs, news, and events.

By Travis Cleveland and Matt Gill.

The University of Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)
recently released new online training courses to take the place of
traditional live training clinics that we are unable to hold due to
the ongoing pandemic. You can view a list of the available training
courses and their registration fees by visiting Illinois PSEP’s Training
& Testing web page. This web page also lists anticipated availabilities of additional
online training courses.

PSEP specialists constructed the new online training courses to
mirror the traditional in-person training clinics. They are specifically
designed to establish or reinforce the competencies required of
Illinois Pesticide Applicators. As with the in-person training clinics,
these courses can provide valuable tools in preparation for their
respective licensure exams administered by the Illinois Department of
Agriculture.

Access to each course is available for a 30-day window upon purchase. While each course provides a linear flow of content that builds upon itself, you are free to navigate the course in any order you wish. Your progress will be automatically saved so that you can quickly pick up where you left off. You may review the course content as many times as you would like during your access window.
Courses are broken down into bite-sized training modules that help encapsulate specific topics and concepts. Content is delivered in short videos and immediately followed with knowledge check questions. While entirely optional, these questions will help you to determine your exam readiness and any concepts or topics you may want to reinforce in your exam preparation.

To register, or for additional information regarding online training, please visit Illinois PSEP’s Training & Testing web page.

By Matt Gill 

As COVID has restricted in-person gatherings, traditional large-capacity pesticide applicator testing sites will not be available for some time. While the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) is working to provide in-person testing sessions as soon as permissible, an online option will also be offered to all who choose to utilize it.

IDA has several online exams available now, with a plan to have all exams available by February 2021. Once available, each exam will remain open through at least July 2021. Each online exam is remotely proctored and requires a $12.00 fee per exam attempt for the proctoring service itself. The fee is payable, by credit card only, at the time of scheduling your exam appointment.
In order to utilize the online testing option, you will need to ensure you have access to the following:

1. A Windows or Mac Computer with the Google Chrome internet browser installed
   -Computer must have only one monitor (screen) at the time of the exam
   -Chromebooks, tablets and other mobile devices are not compatible
2. A functioning webcam (can be built-in to a laptop)
3. A functioning microphone (can be built-in to a laptop/webcam)
4. A strong internet connection (1 Mbps minimum, >12 Mbps recommended)
5. A private, quiet room
6. One form of government-issued photo ID (i.e. Drivers License, etc.)
7. (Optional) A calculator (Computer calculator apps, smartphones, smart watches or other smart devices will not be allowed)

To get started with the online testing option, follow the instructions listed on the University of Illinois Extension – Pesticide Safety Education Program’s “Training & Testing” webpage.

For those who choose to test in-person, IDA plans to offer testing sessions as early as January 5, 2021. The State’s COVID regulations limit location availability and session capacity. Sessions require pre-registration, and no Walk-Ins will be permitted. For more information and to pre-register for a session, you can check out the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s In-Person Testing webpage.

By Jean Miles and Sarah Hughson

This article provides answers to questions about
PSEPs new Online Trainings and Online Exams. This article was written 12/07/2020. Any future
updates to this FAQ will be available at our FAQ page.

Registration & Training Questions
Where can I register for Online Training and Online Exams?
Visit the PSEP Website and click the orange bar at the bottom of the Training & Testing page to
browse the Online Trainings and Online Exams available and begin the registration process.

How long will I have access to my Online Training?
After registration, you will have 24-hour access for 30 consecutive calendar days. This will
include the capability to watch and replay the training as many times as you like and at your own
pace.

How long is each Online Training and Online Exam available for registration?
New Online Trainings and Online Exams will be released from November, 2020 through February,
2021, and will remain open for registration through June, 2021. Some trainings have already been
released. Check the table of release dates for each training and exam on the Training & Testing page on the PSEP Website.

Does each employee at my company have to create an individual account for Online Training?
Yes, each individual must have a unique account associated with their email address
to confirm their account. This allows each person to earn a certificate of completion and earn continuing education credits for those who need them.

What is the format of the Online Training like?
Each training includes introductory content explaining how to use the course, video modules with
optional knowledge check questions and optional additional resources. To get a closer look at the
trainings before registration please visit our Online Training – A Closer Look page.

Exam Questions
How much time is given for each exam?
You will be given 3 hours to complete each exam. However, most people do not need the full 3 hours
to complete the exam. On average, people complete the General Standards Exam in 1 ½ hours,
Private Applicator Exam in 1 hour and Commercial Applicator Category Exams in 1 hour.

Do I have to pass my General Standards Exam before attempting an Applicator Category Exam?
Yes, you must pass the General Standards Exam before attempting an Applicator Category Exam.

I am an Applicator, can I take my General Standards Exam before the Category Exams become
available, or am I required to wait and take them together?
You can take your General Standards Exam any time prior to your Applicator Category Exam; you do
not have to wait for the release of other exams. When beginning your Online General Standards Exam
you will be asked to check a box indicating that you intend to take an Applicator Category Exam in the future.

When will I receive my exam score?
Your score and whether you’ve passed will be shown on the screen immediately after completing the exam.

Why is the exam $12?
Pesticide Operator and Applicator Exams are required by law to be proctored. The $12 goes to the online exam proctoring service, ProctorU, which will proctor all exams. It is not paid to University of Illinois or Illinois Department of Agriculture. Any questions about rescheduling, payments or refunds should be directed to the ProctorU Website where you can submit a request.

What do I do if I need to reschedule my Exam?
It is best to choose a time you are sure will work for you, because time slots may fill up quickly and another time slot may not be available in the same week. If you must reschedule, do so before you miss the exam. Any questions about rescheduling should be directed to the ProctorU Website where you can submit a request.

What are the system requirements for the Online Exam?
You will need a computer with internet, a camera, a microphone and the Chrome browser for the Online Exam. You will also have the opportunity to test your system within ProctorU and view an example exam in Moodle prior to beginning your real exam. For a detailed list of system requirements for the Online Exam, please visit the ProctorU Website.

What if I’d prefer to take my Exam In-Person?
In-person testing is available, free of charge, on a limited basis through Illinois Department of Agriculture. Online registration for in-person exams is available on the IDA Website or by phone at 800-641-3934 or 217-785-2477.

Licensing Questions
Where do I get information regarding licensing?
Visit the Illinois Dept of Agriculture’s Website or call IDA at 800-641-3934 or 217-785-2427.

Continuing Education Credits
Can I earn continuing education credits from the Online Trainings?
Yes, you can earn continuing education credits. Each training that offers credits will give instructions on how to gain the credits. These include completing every video in the training which will provide you with a certificate of completion. Some trainings will ask for your information to report to the crediting association and some will allow you to self-report to the crediting association. A list of courses that allow the viewer to earn continuing education credits are:

Technical Help
What do I do if I need technical help with registration for Online Training or Testing?
If you are unsure how to register for the training after reading the instructions on the PSEP Website, please call the PSEP office for registration assistance at 800-644-2123 or 217-244-2123.

What do I do if I need technical help with Online Training?
If you are unsure how to use the training after reading the instructions or have other technical questions a contact form will be available at the top of each Online Training page. Please be patient. One of our educators will get back to you as soon as they can.

What do I do if I want to reschedule an exam, ask a question about payments or ask a general question about exam proctoring?
Any questions about rescheduling, payments or refunds should be directed to the ProctorU Website where you can submit a request.

By Michelle Wiesbrook

EPA is taking the next step in its regulatory review of paraquat dichloride (paraquat), a widely-used herbicide. As outlined in the proposed interim decision for paraquat, the agency is proposing new measures to reduce risks associated with paraquat in order to better to protect human health and the environment. These measures include:

• Prohibiting aerial application for all uses and use sites except cotton desiccation;
• Prohibiting pressurized handgun and backpack sprayer application methods on the label;
• Limiting the maximum application rate for alfalfa to one pound of active ingredient per acre;
• Requiring enclosed cabs if area treated in 24-hour period is more than 80 acres;
• Requiring enclosed cabs or PF10 respirators if area treated in 24-hour period is 80 acres or less;
• Requiring a residential area drift buffer and 7-day restricted entry interval (REI) for cotton desiccation;
• Requiring a 48-hour REI for all crops and uses except cotton desiccation; and
• Adding mandatory spray drift management label language.

In addition, EPA is proposing to allow truck drivers who are not certified applicators to transport paraquat when certain conditions are met. Read the proposed interim decision here. Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, public comments will be accepted for 60 days in docket # EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0855 until December 22, 2020 at regulations.gov.

Background
Paraquat is applied annually to control invasive weeds and plants in more than 100 crops—including cotton, corn, and soybeans, and there are presently no direct alternatives to this product. Because all paraquat products are Restricted Use Products, they can be applied only by certified pesticide applicators.

EPA has taken proactive steps, outside of the standard registration review process, to ensure paraquat is used in a manner that is safe and consistent with the label directions. This includes a safety awareness campaign and changes to labels and product packaging to stop improper uses, which have led to poisonings and deaths. Additionally, specialized training for certified applicators who use paraquat was released earlier this year to ensure that the pesticide is used correctly. EPA is continuing to evaluate the effectiveness of these measures as the agency works to complete the required registration review process.

The proposed interim decision (PID) for paraquat is the third step in EPA’s four-step process for evaluating a pesticide registration application that EPA conducts at least every 15 years. It is not a denial or an approval of the active ingredient.

In the PID, EPA proposes mitigation measures to reduce the human health and ecological risks identified in the agency’s human health and ecological risk assessments (step two). The agency published the draft risk assessments for paraquat in October 2019. The ID is the fourth step in the registration review process. In the ID, EPA finalizes mitigation measures to reduce the human health and ecological risks.

Additional information on the proposed interim decision for paraquat is available on EPA’s website.

As a reminder, online Paraquat Training is available online.  NPSEC is currently revising the label-mandated paraquat training to include the following changes:

• Closed-system Requirement – As of December 31, 2020, paraquat registrants will no longer be able to distribute or sell paraquat products in containers less than 120 gallons without closed systems for removing product from the original container, any subsequent transfer of the product, and complete removal and rinsing of the product container. However, dealers and distributors will be permitted to continue to sell paraquat products that do not meet the closed-system requirement until their stocks run out.
• Jar Testing – Tank-mix compatibility testing, aka jar testing, is prohibited. Users are advised to check the product website for a list of some products that have been evaluated for compatibility.

Sources:
EPA Press Release, October 22, 2020
NPSEC email, November 30, 2020

By Maria Turner

At the end of October, the U.S. EPA released the new dicamba labels for use over dicamba resistant soybeans and cotton crops. The three labels are XtendiMax, Engenia, and Tavium. The registration for these labels has been extended until 2025. There are some changes to take note of. This chart shows how the new labels differ from the 2018 labels of Xtendimax, Engenia and 2019 label of Tavium.

Source: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2020/10/28/breakdown-changes-2020-dicamba, Emily Unglesbee, DTN Staff Reporter

The new labels provide some new flexibility for growers and states. According to the US EPA, “there are opportunities for growers to reduce the downwind spray buffer for soybeans through use of certain approved hooded sprayers as an alternative control method.” States may also enact further restrictions utilizing Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 24 (a). Corteva’s FeXapan label has not been reregistered yet but is in the process currently. Be sure to stay tuned for more information throughout the winter.

Sources
EPA Announces 2020 Dicamba Registration Decision
New Dicamba Labels- A breakdown of changes to the 2020 Dicamba Labels
Illinois Dicamba Used on Soybeans: Training for Applicators

By Travis Cleveland.

The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a regulation intended to reduce the risks of illness or injury to workers and handlers resulting from occupational exposures to pesticides used in the production of agricultural plants. The WPS was first issued by the EPA in 1992 and was revised in 2015. The 2015 revision introduced a new application exclusion zones (AEZ) provision, with the goal of further protecting workers and others from pesticide exposure during pesticide applications. The EPA defined the AEZ as “the area surrounding the application equipment that must be free of all persons other than appropriately trained and equipped handlers during pesticide applications.” In response to feedback from stakeholders and to reduce regulatory burden, the EPA recently announced revisions to the AEZ definition and requirements. The changes clarify and simplify the AEZ requirements while still providing the necessary protections for agricultural workers and the public. The revised AEZ requirements take effect on December 29, 2020.

The EPA amended the AEZ definition to “the area surrounding the point(s) of pesticide discharge from the application equipment that must generally be free of all persons during pesticide applications.” The changes clarify where the AEZ distance begins (point of discharge) and emphasize that the AEZ must generally be free of all persons. They added “generally” because there are a few exemptions and exceptions, such as trained and equipped handlers involved in the application may be within an AEZ during application.

The EPA made the following changes to the AEZ provision:

• Limits the AEZ requirements to within the boundaries of the agricultural establishment.
  • The handler/applicator is not responsible for implementing AEZ requirements off the establishment, where the owner lacks control over persons in the AEZ.
  • No changes were made to the “Do Not Contact” provision that prohibits a handler/applicator and the handler’s employer from applying a pesticide in such a way that it contacts workers or other persons directly or through drift.
• Addresses issues raised about when handlers may resume an application that has been suspended
  • Clarifies that handlers may resume a suspended application when no workers or other persons (other than appropriately trained and equipped handlers involved in the application) remain in an AEZ within the boundaries of the establishment.
  • Adds language to allow applications to be made or resumed while persons not employed by the establishment are present on easements that may exist within the bounddepending on the terms of the easement, the owner or agricultural employer may be unable to control the movement of people (e.g., utility workers) within an easement. The “Do Not Contact” provision, however, still applies.
  • Allows owners and their immediate family (as defined in 40 CFR 170.305) to shelter in place inside closed buildings, housing, or shelters within the AEZ, and allows applications performed by handlers to proceed provided the owner has instructed the handlers that only the owner’s immediate family are inside the closed shelter and that the application should proceed despite their presence.
• Clarifies and simplifies the AEZ requirements for outdoor production.
  • Eliminates language and criteria pertaining to spray quality, droplet size, and volume median diameter, and using only “sprayed applications” as the criterion.
  • Limits the criteria for 100-foot AEZ distances for outdoor production to pesticide applications made by any of the following methods: 1) aerially; 2) by air blast or air-propelled applications; or 3) as a fumigant, smoke, mist or fog.
  • Establishes a 25-foot AEZ for all sprayed applications made from a height greater than 12 inches from the soil surface or planting medium, and no longer differentiate between sprayed applications based on the spray quality or other factors for setting different AEZ distances for outdoor production.
• Expands the exemption for owners of agricultural establishments and their immediate families to exempt them from the requirement to leave the AEZ when in an enclosed building.
  • EPA anticipates family members will take appropriate steps to protect each other. Providing this exemption reduces burden on owners of agricultural establishments.
  • This exemption should not negatively impact farm owners or their immediate families because family members will still be subject to the “do not contact” provision and other safety measures outside of the enclosed building.
  • This revision should not impact WPS protections for farmworkers, handlers or their families because owners will still have to observe AEZ requirements for non-family-member employees or other persons on the establishment and must ensure applications will not contact anyone on or off the establishment.

The EPA is confident that the revised AEZ and existing no-contact provisions will ensure the protection of workers and persons in areas where pesticide applications are taking place.

Adapted from EPA Releases.
Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Revision of the Application Exclusion Zone Requirements. Federal Register. Vol. 85, No. 211. Pg. 68760-68782.
2020 Final AEZ Provisions Frequently Asked Questions

The Pesticide Stewardship Alliance will be holding their 2021 Annual Conference virtually on February 2-4, 2021.

Some features include:

Keynote Speaker Robert Saik
Food 5.0 How We Feed The Future
To feed the world in the next thirty years, farmers must increase food production by 60 to 70 percent. They need support from the general public that is unaware of how farming operates. Saik explains a farming future where new technologies like sensors, robotics, and machine learning make infinite sustainability achievable.

Keynote #2 Michelle Miller "The Farm Babe" and Kevin Folta
Genes and Pesticides – Communicating Complex Subjects with a Concerned Public

Some topics at this virtual conference include:

• COVID-19, Pesticides, and the Healthcare Workforce
• Recent updates to Hazardous Waste Rules
• How to Develop an Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collection Program
• Container Management – Recycling End Use Developments
• Use of Alternative Approved Respirators for Application

Registration information forthcoming. Check the TPSA website for updates.

Download, save, and share the 2020 November/December issue of the newsletter. 

The development and publication of this newsletter has been supported with funding from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Michelle Wiesbrook, Extension Specialist, Pesticide Safety Education

The Illinois Pesticide Review is published six times a year. For more information about pesticide safety or for more issues of this newsletter, please visit us at www.pesticidesafety.illinois.edu. You can also reach us at 800-644-2123.

Disclaimer: Mention of trade names in this newsletter is for general information purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of one product over another, nor is discrimination intended against any product.

Copyright © 2020, Board of Trustees, University of Illinois

We’re on Facebook!  Follow our University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education (PSEP) page for updates on programs, news, and events.

By Matt Gill and Travis Cleveland.

Listen to the audio version of this article.

University of Illinois’ Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)
will not offer in-person training during fall 2020 or spring 2021.
The decision to cancel in-person training was based on the health
of not only clinic attendees, but the staff and the surrounding
community with whom we share spaces. Additionally, in-person
training was not financially feasible given the current restrictions
which limit event attendance to the lesser of 50 persons OR
50% of the overall room capacity. In place of in-person training,
we plan to offer the following resources to individuals preparing
for Illinois Pesticide Certification Exams during the COVID-19
pandemic:
 

Training Option A: Online Training
In place of PSEP’s in-person training clinics, online courses will
be made available for most of our traditional training categories.
To best serve our diverse clientele, the courses are designed to be
completed asynchronously (i.e. on your own schedule and at your
own pace). Each course will guide you through lessons instructed
by PSEP specialists, and keep you engaged with plenty of exam prep
questions along the way.
 

Training Option B: Self-Study Publications
If you would rather study with a pen and paper instead of an
iPad, PSEP has an option for you as well. Training Manuals are
available for each category of licensure. Accompanying fill-in-the-
blank-style workbooks are available for common categories,
which will help guide you through the manual and prepare you for the associated exam.
Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) anticipates 15,000 – 20,000 certification exams will be offered during the 2021 certification year. In a typical year, most of these exams would be administered at in-person training and testing clinics. In the absence of in-person training clinics, IDA will utilize online testing and limited in-person testing to meet certification needs.
 

Testing Option A: Online Testing
Certification exams will be available in an online format through a commercial proctoring service. Exam length and time allotment will be similar to that of in-person testing. However, individuals will need to schedule each exam with the proctoring service, and pay the service’s $12 proctoring fee.
 

Testing Option B: In-Person Testing
For those needing an alternative to online testing, IDA will continue to offer in-person testing for all certification exams. Due to social-distancing requirements and occupancy restrictions, there will be limited availability of in-person testing sessions. IDA is working to increase location availability, and this will likely evolve rapidly over the next several months.
We are working to provide access to training and testing as soon as possible. With that in mind, the planned rollout of online training and testing will roughly follow the traditional availability of training sessions. The table printed below lists the tentative schedule. To keep up to date with training and testing availability options, please visit: pesticidesafety.illinois.edu

By Sarah Hughson

Listen to the audio version of this article.

The Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program Ornamentals (SP39-3) Manual has been updated for 2020 and is now available on the University of Illinois Extension PubsPlus storefront. Each copy of the manual costs $15 plus shipping and handling.

The Ornamentals Manual is tailored to the needs of commercial applicators managing ornamental plants in landscapes, nurseries and greenhouses and can be used for study or quick reference. The new version of the manual includes updated information on integrated pest management practices, diseases, insects, weeds, equipment, and calibration unique to ornamental areas. The manual includes color images of common pests and diseases, as well as, tables and keys to help identify pests based on pest appearance and signs of injury present on plants.

The Ornamental Manual is intended for commercial and non-commercial applicators who are preparing for their Ornamental Pest certification exam offered by Illinois Department of Agriculture.

By Michelle Wiesbrook

Listen to the audio version of this article.

Fall can be an excellent time for cleaning up your chemical storage area. Now is the time to get rid of any old or unwanted pesticides while this growing season’s use is still fresh in your mind. The household hazardous material collection schedule has been released to the public. More information can be found below. Here are a few options you have for disposing of your old or unwanted pesticides:

1. Use them up. You can usually apply them to a labeled-use site regardless of whether or not pests are present. Be sure to read and follow all label directions. Sometimes pesticides are taken off the market, or certain uses are removed from the label. In those cases, existing stocks can typically still be used. Rarely does US–EPA order a stop-use on the product. However, it is illegal to apply old stocks of chlordane or 2,4,5-T. To learn about the registration status of your product in question, you can contact the manufacturer or the Illinois Department of Agriculture, (217)785-2427.
2. Give them away. Fellow neighboring gardeners may be interested in your castoffs. It’s not recommended that you sell unwanted pesticides. To sell a pesticide legally, it must still be in the original packaging with the complete label. If the pesticide is restricted use, you must be licensed in order to sell it. If the product registration has been cancelled, selling is illegal.
3. Take them to a hazardous waste collection event. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has scheduled a few one-day household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events to be held across Illinois this fall. See below for the schedule.

For a list of household hazardous waste materials that are acceptable or unacceptable at these collections, please visit the Illinois EPA’s Website.

If in doubt, it may be best to first contact the Waste Reduction Unit of the IEPA at (217)524-3300.
There are special hazardous material collection events for other non-household types of pesticides:

• Agricultural pesticides are collected at various scheduled “Agricultural Pesticide Clean Sweep” events. Contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture, (217)785-2427, for more information.
• Structural pesticides (those used by professional applicators to control pests in and around structures) are collected at “Structural Pesticide Clean Sweep” sites. Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, (217)782-4674, for more information.

One-day Collection Schedule
Please note that some dates and events have already passed and are therefore, not listed here.

September 26: Kankakee
Kankakee Community College
100 College Dr.
Kankakee, IL 60901

October 3: Du Quoin
Du Quoin Elementary school
845 E Jackson St.
Du Quoin, IL 62832

October 10: Watseka
Iroquois County Administration Building
1001 E. Grant St.
Watseka, IL 60970

November 7: Springfield
Illinois State Fair Grounds (specific location TBD)
801 E. Sangamon Ave
Springfield, IL 62702

One-day collections are open from 8 am to 3 pm on the above scheduled Saturdays. Please note these are open to all Illinois residents. In addition, the following long-term facilities are available for disposal of HHW. Please phone ahead to determine availability and open hours.

City of Chicago:
Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility
1150 N. North Branch on Goose Island
Tues: 7 am - noon
Thursday: 2 pm - 7 pm
First Saturday of each month: 8 am - 3 pm
For information: (312) 744-3060

Rockford:
Rock River Reclamation District
3333 Kishwaukee
Sat: 8 am - 4 pm
Sun: Noon - 4 pm
For information: (815) 987-5570
http://knib.org/recycling/green-guide/household-hazardous-waste-site/

Naperville:
Household Hazardous Waste Facility
156 Fort Hill Dr.
Sat: 9 am - 2 pm
Sun: 9 am - 2 pm
For information: (630) 420-6095
https://www.naperville.il.us/services/garbage-and-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-facility/

Lake County:
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) currently operates a long-term household chemical waste collection program. Information and a collection schedule can be found on the SWALCO Website or by calling (847) 336-9340.

For questions concerning the IEPA’s one-day or long-term collections, please call the Waste Reduction Unit at (217) 524-3300.

By Maria Turner

Listen to the audio version of this article.

Each year since 1944, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. Governor Pritzker proclaimed the week of September 20-26, 2020 National Farm Safety and Health Week in Illinois, with the theme “Every Farmer Counts”. There is nothing I am more passionate about than farm safety. Growing up in central Illinois on our family farm, I have been a part of or been witness to many accidents that could have been prevented, such as:

• falling off of a moving loaded hay wagon and breaking an arm,
• running in the dark after goats that got out from not closing a gate and tripping which caused 3 broken bones,
• riding bareback through a field on a running horse that spooked while attempting to jump a log, throwing a rider overhead, and
• burning a pile of leaves on a windy day that caught fire to the wheat field.

Accidents happen, right? As a kid, I know I pushed the envelope many times, and my mom always said that my guardian angel was working overtime.
Agriculture safety just stuck with me as I grew up. I met more people that had been involved in farm-related accidents and read more about farm safety. In my graduate studies, I focused on agriculture safety and health education and training first responders in grain entrapments. Today, I continue that work professionally for pesticide applicators but also personally for the twin daredevils I am raising. Together we practice safety skills and I hope to make them more aware of hazards.
The accidents that occurred to me as a child pale in comparison to more serious accidents that others have experienced, such as:

• a lost limb from an entanglement,
• a lost life in a tractor-automobile collision accident,
• an animal attack, or
• a grain entrapment.

So as we get ready to begin another busy harvest season, it is important for farm workers to stay safe. It is time to bring awareness to farm safety and prevent accidents. The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the agriculture sector is still the most dangerous in America. Each year the farming profession sees 581 fatalities, which equals 23 deaths per 100,000 workers.

A checklist of items that you should consider on your farm as you prepare for the harvest season includes the following:

Equipment Maintenance
To prevent your tractor and other important farm equipment from breaking down, make a list of what needs to be done to maintain them. Schedule time for these tasks to ensure they are completed.

Machinery entanglements are the leading cause of injury and death on the farm. Do everything you can to prevent it – including guarding or shielding all moving parts on machinery, and keeping bystanders and children away.

Lighting and Signage
As we prepare equipment to head out on to the roads, we should check lights and signals to ensure they are working properly. Be sure to check that slow moving vehicle (SMV) signs are attached and cleaned. Doing this, makes the SMV’s much more visible as the days are getting shorter and darker. When possible, avoid traveling on roadways during the busy morning and evening commute times. Use an escort vehicle when necessary.

Grain Bin Safety
Grain bins are one of the biggest safety hazards for farmers. Depending on the size and speed of the unloading auger, a person can be completely engulfed in less than 30 seconds, leading to suffocation. It is very important to be aware of the dangers around grain bins. Be sure not to enter a bin when the equipment is running. Grain should not be emptied or moved around when a person is in a bin. Use a harness or lifeline when working above the grain and use a long pole from the outside of the bin to break up the crusted grain.

Rest
We also need to make sure that we are getting enough sleep. It is easy to want to push on even when you are tired, but you are more likely to take shortcuts and make mistakes that could injure yourself or others when you are fatigued.
It is not a good option to turn to extra coffee, double espresso, or other caffeinated drinks as they will not give your body the rest it needs.

Nutrition
Eating nutritious snacks throughout the day can provide energy as well as mental food that your brain needs to make clear decisions and actions. Snacks should be items like nuts, fruits, vegetables or even some small grains. Trail mix can be easily made or bought in a pre-packaged amount and can provide a lot of great nutrition!

Personal Protective Equipment
Use personal protective equipment such as earplugs, gloves, and safety glasses when appropriate.
Even though farm safety week is over, we all should continue to do our part to make this a safe, healthy, and bountiful harvest season.

Download, save, and share the 2020 September/October issue of the newsletter. 

The development and publication of this newsletter has been supported with funding from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Michelle Wiesbrook, Extension Specialist, Pesticide Safety Education

The Illinois Pesticide Review is published six times a year. For more information about pesticide safety or for more issues of this newsletter, please visit us at www.pesticidesafety.illinois.edu. You can also reach us at 800-644-2123.

Disclaimer: Mention of trade names in this newsletter is for general information purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of one product over another, nor is discrimination intended against any product.

Copyright © 2020, Board of Trustees, University of Illinois

We’re on Facebook!  Follow our University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education (PSEP) page for updates on programs, news, and events.