Questions and Answers from the
December 4, 2004 Grower’s Workshop
Sue Ostrom
Pesticide Laws and Regulations Update
Agenda for the 2004 Grower Workshop
The following questions are regarding the new wellhead protection regulations. For further information please see the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s website at: www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/gwp/index.htm
Q. If my wellhead is positioned uphill from the vineyard, do I need to build a berm around it?
A. No, as long as the wellhead is uphill from any of the activities listed (pre-emergent herbicide applications, mix/load, storage, etc.) you do not need to berm it.
Q. How wide of a circumference or radius around the well does the berm need to be?
A. Whatever distance is necessary to prevent water from reaching the wellhead, depending on your site. There is no set circumference.
Q. What if my well has a concrete pad 6, 8, or 10 inches above the ground?
A. The regulations specifically state that water must not move from the perimeter of the wellhead and contact any part of the wellhead including the concrete pad or foundation.
Q. Can you apply pesticides within 100 ft. of the berm of your well?
A. Yes, you can apply pesticides within 100 ft. of the berm of your well. The 100 ft. restriction from applications is only for wells that are not protected by a berm or uphill from the treatment site, and is only in regard to pre-emergent herbicides.
Q. If my well is in an area that floods, will raising the wellhead high above the ground, above flood level, meet the requirements?
A. We are waiting to receive an answer from the Department of Pesticide Regulation.
The following questions deal with pesticide use reports.
Q. What if I forgot to send in my pesticide use report and that was 4 months ago?
A. We need that information, even if it is late. Please send it in now.
Q. How do I submit electronic pesticide use reports?
A. There are private companies that sell programs that will allow you to submit use reports electronically. There is information regarding these on our website, or you can call our office.
Pete Albers
Managing Ground Squirrels
Q. Are owls effective in controlling ground squirrels?
A. No, ground squirrels are active during the day and owls are active during the night, so they don’t provide control.
Q. What about the Rodex 4000? Will it provide control for ground squirrels?
A. The Rodex might help provide control, however you really need to be in the right area to use it. The Rodex creates a lot of noise and can cause problems by irritating neighbors. We recommend your site be in a remote area if you are going to use it.
Q. Will coyotes effectively keep the ground squirrel population down?
A. Coyotes are the ground squirrel’s biggest predator. They will help but will not be totally effective in keeping a big population in check.
Q. Is strychnine another option for controlling ground squirrels?
A. No! Strychnine is labeled only for gopher control. Additionally, strychnine is to be applied below ground only and squirrels are above ground foragers.
Q. Will birds eat the anticoagulant bait scattered by burrow entrances?
A. All bait is dyed which is a deterrent to birds. This is also a major reason why bait is not piled up.
Joseph Gray
What to Expect When We Do an Application Inspection
Q. In regard to accurate measurement, wettable sulfur has an labeled rate of 5-10lbs./ac. Is it ok for me to just estimate from the bag? I know as long as I use about half the bag I will be in that range.
A. No, you need to weigh it so that you know exactly how much is going into the tank. You need an accurate measurement for reporting, and to get efficacy.
Q. I have heard that bars of soap are not okay to use at decontamination sites because they are not single use. Is that correct?
A. No, there are no specific restrictions on suing bars of soap.
Q. I am running out of area in my office to post all the government required materials. Do I have to post all of the forms you give me, or can I put them in a binder?
A. Some need to be specifically posted, and some can be put in a binder. Call us if you are not sure what documents must be posted.
Q. Does eyewash have to be saline solution that costs $7 a bottle?
A. No, you can use plain water as long as it is clean and will not harm the eyes when used. Many people will just use 16oz. water bottles.
Jim Raisner
Dr. Lucia Varela
Vine Mealybug Update
Q. What about soil amendment companies that are accepting pumice for compost? Will composting kill the mealybug?
A. I would need to do an experiment to be sure. This is just speculation but I think that the composting process should achieve mortality, the process gets the compost up to 130 degrees F.
Q. How did you count the insects?
A. After we pressed the stems we put them on sticky cards. The insects fall or walk off the stems onto the sticky cards and we then count them under the microscope.
Q. Should black plastic be used for solarization?
A. No, clear plastic is better. With clear plastic the temperatures go higher. The plastic needs to be thick and durable.
Top of Page
|
