Pesticides Used Today

The City of Everett is spraying Lowell Park with pesticide today.  It will no longer be pesticide free.

Thank you to everyone who helped us make it chemical free for these 3 years.  City-wide they have reduced pesticide use, but if you want a safe place to let your kids play in the grass, you won't find it in Everett.

The pesticide they use, 2-4 D, is the most common pesticide used, you might even use it in your yard. It's was manufactured for the US Department of Defense by Monsanto and Dow to create Agent Orange. 

I am working with the Parks Department to keep the sand volley ball court (where the kids play) free from spray, if you are interested in helping this summer, let me know.

Presentation on Managing Pests

The Snohomish County Fruit Society will host a presentation on managing pests from 7 to 9 p.m. May 10 at the Snohomish Library.

Ingela Wanerstrand, a member of the Seattle Tree Fruit Society and owner of Green Darner Garden Design, will talk about preventing or treating pests and diseases without using harsh chemicals. Wanerstrand will cover codling moth, apple maggot fly, scab and fungal diseases demonstrations, as well as some hands-on demonstrations, such as installing maggot barriers, a stretchy nylon sleeve that goes over the fruit when it is very small.

The Snohomish County Fruit Society is the newest chapter of Western Cascade Fruit Society. The meeting is open to the public. For more information on the Snohomish County Fruit Society, call 425-398-5544.

The Snohomish Library is at 311 Maple Ave., Snohomish. The Cascade Fruit Society website is www.wcfs.org.

This article appeared as "How to Control Pests Without Harsh Chemicals" in the Everett Herald on Thursday, May 3, 2012.