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Q. Will Weed Man's products
leach into the water table?
A. Common weed and insect control products will not leach through the soil
and into the water table water when applied by a licensed professional like
Weed Man. One of the reasons for this is the thatch - the area of live and dead
stem and root tissue located between the growing turf and the soil. The thatch
and the upper layers of soil, rich in organic matter, trap pesticides and
prevents leaching or loss of runoff water. The fertilisers Weed Man uses are
formulated to release slowly over a period of 6-10 weeks. The granules remain
in the soil while plants gradually extract nutrients in time released
quantities.
Q. What happens to pesticides and fertilisers after they are
applied to my lawn? Are all pesticides and
fertilizers "biodegradable" ?
A. The weed anti insect control products used by Weed Man degrade readily in
the environment lasting only long enough for the intended purpose. After
application the products, are trapped in plants, thatch layer and the upper
layers of soil. The plants and soil organisms digest all the ingredients and
convert them into natural materials: - carbon dioxide, water and humus
Fertilisers enter the natural cycles of soil and plant chemistry even more
directly than weed and insect Control products. The substances released from
the fertiliser granules are converted to natural nutrients by microorganisms in
the soil then is consumed by the grass plant.
Q. When is it safe to let my children play on the lawn?
A. Though all of the products Weed Man uses are rated "practically non-toxic",
we suggest that people stay off the lawn at least until the product dries. Weed
Man can tell you the for an application. Allergy or hypersensitivity to Weed
Man products is rare, but if your suspect this; your child should stay off the
lawn for an extra day. Studies done at the University of Guelph indicate that
only very low percentages of the applied amount of a pesticide (1-6%), could be
dislodged by vigorous scuffing immediately after an application. If a rainfall
occurred, even on the day of application, dislodge able residues were reduced
to 1/100%. Since only small amounts are applied in the first place, it is
practically impossible for a child to pick up a harmful dose from a lawn.
Q. The technicians in the van use pesticides all day long.
Isn't that harmful to their health?
A. The Canadian Centre For Toxicology recently studied this very question using
Weed Man lawn technicians. Researchers found that the exposure of technicians
to common weed control products was minimal The highest exposure was 70 times
lower than the limits set by the World Health Organization. The key to limiting
exposure levels in employees is proper training. Weed Man takes pride in our
on-going training programs.
Q. The pesticides always smell so awful. Isn't this proof that
they are dangerous?
A. The odor of any chemical is completely unrelated to its toxicity. Often in
the case of pesticides the bad smell is due to the inert carrier rather than
the active ingredient or may even be added to encourage care in handling.
Q. My dog eats a lot of grass. Won't she get sick by ingesting
pesticides that have just been applied to my
lawn?
A. The products used or are of negligible risk to humans and animals. When they
are applied to your lawn they are diluted down on average by 100 times. Once a
pesticide has been absorbed by the plant it is rapidly metabolized. It would be
practically impossible for your pet to consume a harmful dose of a pesticide by
eating grass. Even so, common sense dictates that pets are kept off the lawn at
least until the product dries. Also, some pets like some people, may have a
particular sensitivity or allergy to the products used. If this is the case you
may choose to keep your pet off the lawn for a full 48 hours Your Weed Man can
tell you the drying time for an application.
Q. If I have a problem with pests or weeds, how can I deal with
it?
A. Weed and insect control methods vary depending on the severity of the
problem and your own personal tolerance to the presence of such pests.
Different cultural and mechanical practices exist to help protect weeds and
insect damage. However, pesticides save time and effort and are safe when used
correctly. Without pesticides, an infestation of weeds and insects can destroy
a lawn. Pesticides are the most reliable way to control these problems.
Q. I have heard that the herbicides you use cause cancer. Is
that true?
A. It is impossible to absolutely guarantee anything does not cause cancer.
There are ways of estimating risks. According to Dr. Bruce Ames at University
of California in Berkley: "The whole world is full of carcinogens". His
research has led him to believe that the levels of most man-made carcinogens
are generally so low that any danger is minor compared with the levels of
natural carcinogens such as mushrooms and peanut butter.
All pesticides are tested more carefully than other household products for
possible causes of cancer. It is important to remember, that most weed control
products have been used and studied extensively for over 4O years.
Q. What is an organic pesticide? Are organic or natural
pesticides less harmful than synthetic or
man-made pesticides?
A. "Organic" or "natural" pesticides are terms commonly applied to organisms
and chemicals found naturally in the environment. Although it may be perceived
that these products are safer than those produced synthetically, this is not
necessarily the case. Many synthetic chemicals are less toxic than those
produced naturally. The most toxic substances and the strongest carcinogens are
natural and many foods contain natural toxins that are produced by the plant as
a defense (e.g.. potatoes). Both synthetically produced and organic pesticides
require the same extensive and stringent F.E.P.A (1985) approval evaluation and
approval
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