Questions and Answers from the
December 7, 2006 Grower’s Workshop
 Agenda for the 2006 Grower Workshop
Presentations Given at the 2006 Workshop:
 Laws & Regulations Update 2006
Exotic Pest of Concern
Common Pesticide Non-Compliances Found
Managing and Controlling Birds
Sue Ostrom
Pesticide Laws and Regulations Update
Q. I have a nursery and I have a lot of different species of plants that I need to spray. Sometimes they are not all listed on the label of the product that I want to use. What can I spray or do?
A. Check with your Pesticide Dealer or PCA for a recommendation, they may be able to help you find another product. You may be able to find a product that has more of a general category listed that would cover all of the types of plants.
Q. Are Pesticide Use Reports due into the Ag Commissioner’s Office by the 10th or postmarked by the 10th?
A. Postmarked by the 10th if delivered by mail, otherwise they are due by the 10th.
Q. Do the dormant insecticide regulations apply to Lime/Sulfur applications?
A. Not if the Lime Sulfur is being used as a fungicide. The regulations specifically apply to insecticides.
Dan Curtin
Managing and Controlling Birds
Q. Are woodpeckers a protected species?
A. Yes. Woodpeckers are classified as Migratory Non-game Birds in the Code of Federal Regulations. They can be controlled under a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. No permit is required to scare woodpeckers.
Q. Will the State get involved in Starling depopulation?
A. When starlings first reached California from the east coast there was some concerted effort to eradicate them. Eradication efforts proved to be futile. Starlings have since become residential as well as migratory birds in California. They are not a protected species. They are defined in the California Fish and Game Code as Non-game birds that can be taken and possessed by any person at any time.
Q. I have Bluebird damage in my grapes. Are they a protected species?
A. Yes. Western Bluebirds are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They can be controlled under a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. No permit is required to scare or haze bluebirds.
Priscilla Lane
Common Pesticide Non-Compliances Found
Q. Where can I get rid of used pesticide containers?
A. Pesticide containers can be recycled at a recycling event (we’re planning on having one in 2007), or they can be taken to your local landfill or transfer station. You can also contact the ECO-DESK (565-3375) to receive information about recycling pesticide containers. Please plan on saving up your pesticide containers since we are planning to hold a recycling event in 2007.
Q. Where can I get the Pesticide Information Safety Series A-8 & A-9?
A. Our website or our office.
Q. How do we secure containers in the field when I am going to be working at a site that does not have a designated storage site? I transport the pesticides with me to the field from my shop.
A. If you are able to observe the containers while you are working then they are generally considered secure and under control. You will need to be especially attentive if you leave pesticides at a mixing and loading site that is near a road, trail, or other area where people may be present. Otherwise they would need to be locked up.
Below is the regulation that addresses pesticides being secure and under control:
6670. Container Control
Pesticides, emptied containers or parts thereof, or equipment that holds or has held a pesticide, shall not be stored, handled, emptied, disposed of, or left unattended in such a manner or at any place where they may present a hazard to persons, animals (including bees), food, feed, crops or property. The commissioner may take possession of such unattended pesticides or emptied containers to abate such hazard.
Q. What are the provisions for burning plastic containers and bags?
A. Plastic containers cannot be burned. Your air quality district may or may not allow the burning of paper sulfur bags, even though our regulations allow them to be burned. Please contact them and your fire district for more information.
Contact Information for Air Quality and Pollution Districts:
Q. Do triple rinsed containers have to be locked up?
A. Yes
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