May/June 2021 Volume 34, No. 3

In This Issue Use of in Natural Settings Use of Herbicide in To some, the idea of using in “natural” settings may Natural Settings �������������� 1 seem a little ironic, but in fact herbicides are a useful and valu- able tool for land owners and managers. Natural areas including Understanding and woodlands, prairies, and even hedgerows in urban landscapes Preventing Off-target can be overtaken by invasive weeds – which are also “natural”. Movement of Herbicides Weeds can alter ecosystems �������������������������������������������� 4 and rob sunlight, water, and New Application nutrients from desirable Requirements for plants which affects their Dicamba on Soybeans in growth and yield. In this ar- 2021 ����������������������������������� 7 ticle, we will discuss the pros and cons of herbicide use in EPA Receives these areas, alternative meth- Requests for Voluntary ods of weed control, and Cancellation of 102 common application meth- ������������������������� 9 ods. Of course we typically Illinois Misuse recommend that non-chemi- 2015-2021 ��������������������������10 cal methods be implemented first before resorting to using 2021 Agricultural herbicides. Container Recycling Hand or physical removal Schedule ���������������������������11 can result in instant IDOA Schedules Clean gratification but there may Sweep Collection ��������13 be limitations. Perhaps you have many more weeds than workers. Perhaps the Foliar application. Steve Manning, weeds can’t be reached due Invasive Plant Control, Bugwood.org to their location or perhaps they must be handled carefully due to possible dermal reactions, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences which is the case with wild parsnip and poison ivy. Others may University of Illinois • U.S. Department of have thorns or prickles such as multiflora rose or bull thistle, Agriculture Local Extension Councils Cooperating University of Illinois Extension provides equal or an abundance of pollen such as ragweed. Hand digging or opportunities in programs and employment. Illinois Pesticide Review 2 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June grubbing doesn’t always result in effective Off-target movement can result in much control or it may not be possible to remove all damage to desirable vegetation, humans, the roots. This is certainly the case with larger and wildlife if we are careless or if weather woody species but even with rhizomatous, conditions are not appropriate. It could perennial spreaders such as Canada thistle happen on your property or worse yet on the or quackgrass. Many of us have experienced neighbor’s. Drift can be extremely expensive the joy of digging up these weeds only to feel with fines and legal counsel. Pesticides the snap of the rhizomes break off and know become environmental hazards when they then that growth will soon return. We may be move off-target. Ideally, a pesticide should limited in our physical abilities and physical affect only the target pests and persist no removal can result in sore muscles. We can use longer than necessary to control them. large equipment such as cutters and mowers, Problems occur when pesticides are used in but certain woody species will send up shoots a manner that differs from what’s directed on after cutting. Often cutting must be repeated the label or when spills occur. Unfortunately, and that’s time consuming. Large areas or this isn’t a new problem. As long as we’ve had infestations can require many, many man- herbicides, we’ve had off-target movement. hours. Pesticides can help or harm the environment Herbicides also have pros and cons. These so it’s important for users to be aware of the can be used after cutting to prevent new environmental risks and use practices that sprouts and provide a more complete kill. They minimize adverse effects. can also provide long lasting, selective, quick An integrated approach is recommended and control in an efficient manner. Of course this is referred to as Integrated Pest Management product dependent. Some herbicides are or IPM. The most efficient and successful slower acting than others and some do not weed-control programs will include the use provide residual control but instead affect just of nonchemical controls. These can include the weeds present at application. Residual can cultural controls such as controlling weeds be good and bad and there are uses for both early before they set seed which prevents types. Herbicides are often less labor intensive, future weeds, covering bare soil with mulch less time consuming, and more economical. or groundcovers, using weed free materials However, they are not suitable for every to avoid introducing weeds, and cleaning situation and off-target movement can occur. equipment to prevent weed spread. Other This is where the herbicide moves out of the methods include controlled burning, biological area intended for application and can cause controls, and mechanical controls including injury. 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 Untreated stump with sprouts. Rebekah D. Wallace, injected into stems or applied to the soil. The University of Georgia, Bugwood.org. Illinois Pesticide Review 3 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June method you choose depends on many factors season applications may be desirable. Another including your target weed, the site, the time of method of application is the “broad band” or year, available equipment, and the herbicide. “thin line” which uses a small band (often a Consult with the label for guidance while pencil thin stream) of a highly concentrated planning any control effort. herbicide. This type of application is targeted Some herbicides can be applied to the leaves. and precise with low risk to neighboring This type of application should be limited to plants. Be sure to follow label directions as this herbaceous plants, SMALL trees, and shrubs method will NOT be found on every label. as there is increased drift potential with tall Certain herbicides may be applied to cut trees. Foliar treatments are most effective surfaces. With girdling, a herbicide can be when applied just after full-leaf expansion applied to the cut for more effective control. when food reserves are low in late spring Also, herbicide can be sprayed into spaced, or early summer. Good spray coverage on horizontal cuts that penetrate the sapwood; the leaves is needed. For large infestations, this is called hack n’ squirt. Alternatively, an broadcast applications to the entire area would injector such as a hypohatchet can be used to be practical. For clumps of weeds, spray guns dispense herbicide when it is struck into a tree. can be used for spot treatments using directed Also, the E-Z-Ject Lance is a stem injection spray. For increased application control and system that can be used to inject capsules of to eliminate the risk of non-target injury, glyphosate or imazapyr every 4 inches around a foliar wick or wiping applicator can be the base of the stem. used to paint on the herbicide. Certainly off- Often cut stumps will resprout but this can target movement can occur with any type of be prevented by treating the stump with a application. However, most often injury occurs herbicide. The label will provide specific from a broadcast application. In situations directions but typically the sapwood and where off-target drift is a concern, cut stump bark are treated soon after cutting to ensure or basal bark applications would be a better downward movement. Some labels (especially option. products containing 2,4-D) instruct users to With basal-bark applications, herbicide is apply the herbicide to the entire surface of the applied to the lower 12 to 18 inches of the cut. This is often the case for smaller stems too trunk. This kills the tree and any basal buds with various products. Some product labels that might sprout. Oil-soluble (usually ester) may call for the use of a penetrating oil. For formulations of herbicides are applied in applications in spring during sap flow and diesel oil or kerosene to penetrate the bark. when timeliness of application is a concern, Non-petroleum based penetrating oils are the oil-carried herbicides are recommended. also available which are less injurious to Labels vary on application specifics so read groundcovers. This technique is for selective and follow them carefully. control of trees smaller than 4-6 inches in One final concern you should be aware of diameter and is less effective on rougher, when controlling trees is herbicide “flashback”. thicker bark. Treatments can be made This is the passive movement of herbicide throughout the year except when the bark is from a treated tree to another nearby, non- very wet or covered with ice or snow. Be sure treated tree through grafted roots, extrusion to minimize the amount that runs into the soil through the roots, or perhaps from movement as excess amounts can injure or kill adjacent through the soil. Unintended injury can result desirable trees and groundcovers and their and imazapyr is a known offender. roots may extend into the treatment area. To reduce possible off-target injury, dormant- Lastly, certain herbicides can be applied to the soil to provide residual control and Illinois Pesticide Review 4 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June prevent new weeds from germinating. These change in use patterns of dicamba and 2,4-D can be applied at planting and may be tilled that are being used more frequently and much or watered into the soil down to where earlier (and sometimes later) in the season. the germinating seeds are. Some of these There are two types of drift. Particle drift is the herbicides are used in non-crop situations such movement of spray droplets and it’s influenced as along a fence line or driveway to prevent by nozzle size (which determines droplet ALL plant growth. These must be used with size), wind speed, and wind direction. Smaller extreme caution. Some are quite mobile in the droplets provide nice coverage on a leaf but soil and some can persist for several months. weigh less and are carried easily by the wind. Label directions must be followed carefully. Larger droplets are heavier but may roll off the Off-target roots can take these up and desirable leaf. It’s a balancing act for applicators. Prevent plants can be injured. particle drift by using drift reduction nozzles No matter the control method, each has that produce fewer small droplets. Operate its list of potential problems and benefits. at a lower pressure and lower your spray Herbicides can be used in a variety of ways height so droplets have a shorter distance to to help restore or maintain the quality of our travel to the target site. Do not spray in winds natural areas. They are best used as part of an greater than 10 MPH. Do not spray when there IPM program and should always be used safely is no wind as this can indicate an inversion. according to label directions. Check downwind for sensitive areas and use untreated buffers or return to spray later Michelle Wiesbrook when winds are blowing away from the area. Additionally, drift reduction adjuvants can Understanding and help result in larger droplets but you want to Preventing Off-target Movement of Herbicides 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 move- ment, the factors that influence each, preven- tion, and why this topic is more important now Smoke that flattens out can indicate the presence of an than ever before. When applicators are more inversion. Michelle Wiesbrook, University of Illinois. informed and have a better understanding of ensure you have a compatible product for your these issues, they can act accordingly to better product and equipment. keep their applications on target. Inversions are where particles can hang in Pesticides can move off-target by air and the air like fog and then move once the wind by water. When they move by air, we call picks up speed. They are complicated and this drift. Each year, the Illinois Department fortunately are being researched. Inversions of Agriculture (IDA) receives on average are challenging for applicators to identify approximately 120 pesticide misuse but smoke that flattens out can indicate the complaints, of which 60% are presence of one. They are more likely to occur complaints. Recently, it’s been higher with the Illinois Pesticide Review 5 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June

on clear nights with little to no cloud cover. or degraded. Run-in can occur through They begin in the evening, build in intensity abandoned wells, cracks, and sinkholes. overnight, and generally dissipate in the Shallow aquifers are at greater risk because morning once the temperature rises 3 degrees the distance to travel is short. Pesticides so we recommend applicators wait until then can also move downward through the soil to spray. with percolating water. This leaching occurs Vapor drift is the movement of spray vapors mainly in sandy, permeable soils. It’s a real or gasses. These can be produced up to problem when the water table is close to the several days after application and can travel surface with shallow wells drawing from it. a few miles. All pesticides are susceptible Leaching is influenced by several factors but some that can volatilize to a significant including pesticide properties (including degree are these herbicides: dicamba, 2,4- solubility, adsorption, and persistence), soil D, and clomazone. A very small amount properties, site conditions, and management can injure very sensitive plants such as practices including spills, improper disposal of ornamentals, grapes, tomatoes, and soybeans. containers and unwanted pesticides, and back Vapor drift is influenced by formulation siphoning while filling tanks. and temperature. Prevent vapor drift by Leaching is more likely to occur with sandy avoiding applications during hot weather. soils, groundwater that is close to the surface, Many labels will direct users to not apply and with lots of water moving downward when temperatures are above 85 degrees. through soil. Additionally, leaching is more Use less volatile formulations when possible. likely with pesticides that are highly persistent, Ester formulations are more volatile than poorly adsorbed to soil, and highly water amine formulations. If given a choice and soluble. Prevent leaching by reading and temperatures are warm, go with the amine. following label directions and check the label Save the esters for cooler weather. Check the for application restrictions; many include label for warning statements. Keep in mind water advisory statements. Be familiar with that the applicator is responsible for drift even your site conditions and choose products if it’s not easily seen so it’s best to use practices wisely such as those with a lower potential to to prevent drift. move. Pesticides can also move off a treated area Of course many problems can be alleviated with water by runoff and contaminate surface simply by using other control methods and water such as ponds and streams. Erosion saving herbicides for when they are absolutely can cause contamination if pesticides are necessary. Scouting should always be used attached to the sediments. Many factors affect first to determine if there is a need to use this including soil and pesticide properties, chemicals. Use the lowest labeled rate and vegetative cover, volume and rate of water, application frequency to achieve acceptable topography, & climate. Prevent surface water control. However, if you are dealing with contamination by avoiding treating bare possible herbicide resistance issues, you’ll slopes, not spraying before heavy rain, using need to use a higher rate per label guidance. untreated vegetation filter or buffer strips, and Never exceed the labeled rate! Use spot following surface water advisory statements treatments rather than broadcast applications on labels. when possible. Lastly, plan well. Pesticides can contaminate groundwater Safe herbicide applications start with good by run-in and leaching. Run-in occurs when planning. To prevent off-target movement pesticides move directly from the soil surface or accidental injury, herbicides MUST be to the groundwater before they are adsorbed used properly! This can be achieved not Illinois Pesticide Review 6 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June

only by carefully reading and following all especially if wind is blowing towards sensitive label directions but also ensuring that you species. Windbreaks can help in certain understand label directions. If you aren’t situations. Consider the weather conditions sure how to interpret something, contact as well as the proximity to surface water or the manufacturer through their website groundwater. Labels will provide guidance but or by calling the number on the label. it’s recommended that wind speed be between Every product registered for use by EPA 3 and 10 mph to help direct the drops to the will have this statement on the label in the target but not blow them away. Be prepared Directions for Use section, “It is a violation of to stop spraying if the wind direction shifts or Federal law to use this product in a manner the speed increases. Typically, we want good inconsistent with its labeling.” The label is soil moisture which will aid plant growth and the law. Commercial applicators are required control but we do not want rain too soon after to demonstrate learned knowledge with a application as it can be washed off. Here again, competency exam to obtain licensure with the the label will provide specifics on a rain-free Illinois Department of Agriculture. Private period. Watch your radar for rain, record your land owners are required to test and obtain wind speed on site at spray boom height with licensure only if purchasing or applying a weather meter. The weather app on your Restricted Use Pesticides but no license is phone is super handy but wind speed can be required for General Use pesticides. General different from where you are compared to use pesticides are not likely to cause harm where it is officially recorded. Keeping good to the environment or to the user when used application records is just good insurance in according to label directions and these can be case something goes wrong or plants nearby purchased and applied by the general public. show strange growth afterwards. 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 . 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 Herbicide injury on pear. Michelle Wiesbrook, garden? Consider leaving an unsprayed buffer University of Illinois. Illinois Pesticide Review 7 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June

To protect water quality, there will be setback any more than the owner of nearby, sensitive requirements provided on the label for bodies plants wants them damaged. Off-target of water including wells to protect water movement is expensive, challenging, and often quality. For example, a label may state: “Do not emotions run high. It is best prevented in the apply directly to water” or “May not be mixed, first place. It is imperative that applicators loaded, or used within 50 feet of all wells and do all they can to keep their applications on sinkholes.” For weed control in standing water, target. be aware that the herbicide must be labeled For more information on preventing drift, for aquatic areas. Consider the topography and check out the Pesticide Safety Education soil texture. For soil applied products, there Program website for newsletter articles, may be restrictions based on soil type or even other publications, and online trainings. Our as simple as the use site. Be sure that your Herbicide Tolerant Crop Stewardship online primary weed species are listed so you have training was recently updated. This free the right product for the job. resource was created for use by producers but Herbicide injury to off-target plants (more is valuable to anyone interested in knowing specifically drift injury) is as old as herbicides more about drift as well as desiring to improve themselves, but it has become a more common neighbor communications related to the issue. occurrence in recent years. Changes in Additionally, another good resource is the use patterns of certain herbicides such as North Central IPM Center’s “Herbicide Drift glyphosate, glufosinate, paraquat, 2,4-D, and Risk Management Working Group” which has dicamba due to herbicide resistant weeds, factsheets on dicamba and 2,4-D. Specialty the development of herbicide-tolerant crops, crop growers in particular will find these of and the switch to conservation tillage have interest. contributed to this trend. The level of exposure to gardens and landscape plants has increased Michelle Wiesbrook with more homes being built in rural areas where these products have been traditionally used. Additionally, bad news travels fast and New Application social media helps accelerate the speed and Requirements for awareness by prompting others to check their properties for possible damage. Across Dicamba on Soybeans in the state, there have been several reports of 2021 damage to crops (especially soybean), but also to landscape plants and most notably trees. In October 2020, the USEPA renewed the reg- Inconsistent temperatures and rainfall cause istrations of the three products XtendiMax stress which can increase herbicide sensitivity with VaporGrip Technology, Engenia Herbi- and herbicide injury can be the breaking point cide and Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology. for an already stressed tree. With dicamba, Although many of the label restrictions for much has been learned over the last few all remained the same, below is a listing of years about factors that can contribute to its changes or additions to the federally approved volatility including weather and tank-mixing labels. In addition to the requirements of the partners. Further label restrictions have been federally-approved labels, all use of pesticides added including detailed record keeping, a containing dicamba on soybeans in Illinois temperature and application date cut-off, and must now comply with the following require- required certification with additional training. ments: Applicators do not want their product to drift Illinois Pesticide Review 8 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June

Temperature Restriction 3. Areas covered by the footprint of a building, silo, or other manmade Dicamba shall not be applied on soybeans if structure with walls and/or roof. the air temperature at the field at the time of application is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit or if Planted agricultural fields containing corn or the National Weather Service›s forecasted high crops other than dicamba-resistant plantings of temperature for the nearest available location cotton or soybeans are not allowed to be used in for the day of application exceeds 85 degrees the endangered species buffer distance calcula- Fahrenheit. Local National Weather Service tions. forecasts are available at https://www.weather. Volatility Reduction Agent gov. A qualified VRA/ pH buffering adjuvant is Cutoff Application Deadline required for use in the spray tank for every ap- Application on soybeans of dicamba shall not plication be made after June 20 of each year for Illinois Endangered Species Buffers applicators. The federal Cut-off date is June 30th for Soybeans and July 30th for cotton. Downwind buffer increased to 310’ from 110’ Prior to Application The applicator shall consult the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry (https://www.fieldwatch. com) and comply with all associated record- keeping 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 Illinois counties requiring both a 310-foot in-field that are contiguous with the treated field. wind-directional spray drift buffer and a 57-foot 2. Planted agricultural fields containing omnidirectional in-field buffer dicamba-resistant plantings of cotton and soybeans. Illinois Pesticide Review 9 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June

Endangered Species Counties EPA Receives Requests for This has changed since last year with currently Voluntary Cancellation of 18 Illinois counties instead of 29. (Bureau, Effingham, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, 102 Pesticides Kankakee, LaSalle, Livingston, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, St. On May 11, 2021, in the Federal Register, the Clair, Tazewell and Will.) Visit www.epa.gov/ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an- espp for details. nounced that it had received requests, from product registrants, to voluntarily cancel 102 Cleaner Label Structure pesticides. This includes pesticides intended The labels now have fewer pages. Only in- for structural pest, turf, landscape and agricul- cludes pre- and post-emergent uses for DT tural use from companies like Syngenta, Bayer, soybean and cotton – conventional crop and Scott’s Company and BASF. non-crop uses have been removed from the For a complete list of the products to be label. canceled, please visit the Federal Register and refer to Qualified Hooded Sprayer Option Table 1 in the PDF. This has been added to allow for a reduction in Existing stocks of most of the products spray drift buffers. (those produced and packaged prior to the 5-year Registration Date cancellation) can be sold and distributed for 12-months after the cancellation date. After Registration ends in 2025. that, they cannot be sold or distributed with in the US except for disposal. Additional Training and Record Keeping Requirements- Some companies requested and were approved for 18-months to sell existing stocks. All records must be generated within 72 hours These companies and products were: after application. Sample record forms can be found on manufacturer’s website. Should you have any more questions please Product Name Company Name check out the recently updated Illinois Flupro-EC MacDermid Agricultural Solutions, Department of Agriculture dicamba site at Inc. https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Pesticides/ Maquat MC5814–80% Mason Chemical Company Pages/Dicamba.aspx or call or 217-785-2427 Maquat TC76–40% Mason Chemical Company Compiled by Maria Turner. Maquat MQ2525M– Mason Chemical Company CPV Source Maquat TC76–80% Mason Chemical Company Illinois department of agriculture- https://www2. Maquat-1010N–10% Mason Chemical Company illinois.gov/sites/agr/Pesticides/Pages/Dicamba. One company requested and was approved aspx to sell existing stocks until Sept. 30, 2022. That product was Veratran D by McLaughlin Gormley King Company. Illinois Pesticide Review 10 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June

Persons other than the registrants, may plants yet proper identification can be chal- distribute, sell or use existing stores of these lenging as symptoms will often mimic that of products until they are exhausted, as long as insects or disease. Plants can become distort- that usage is consistent with the product label. ed, spotted or even die when exposed to cer- To learn more please refer to the cancellation tain pesticides – especially certain herbicides. notice in the Federal Register: Often the wind has carried a pesticide away from its intended target and onto neighboring US Environmental Protection Agency. 2021. susceptible vegetation. When injured plants Notice of Receipts of Requests to Voluntarily are found and a pesticide is suspected to be Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations. Federal the cause, a person can call the Illinois De- Register. Vol. 86, No. 89. pg. 25861-25865. partment of Agriculture (IDA) Bureau of Envi- ronmental programs and file an official com- Sarah Hughson plaint. An investigation then takes place and a determination is made concerning whether Illinois Pesticide Misuse or not pesticide misuse (a label violation) has 2015-2021 occurred. IDA reports misuse numbers yearly. The Pesticides are an important management tool chart below takes a look at the pesticide in agricultural production. They protect yields misuse complaints filed from 2015-2021. These and reduce the presence of foreign materials years are highlighted to show a picture of the in some commodities. They provide many ben- trends we are seeing including what pesticide efits when used properly. However, it seems misuse looked like prior to dicamba use in we are hearing more and more about pesticide soybean in 2017 and then with new stricter misuse than we have in the past. There are regulations established in 2020. As indicated several reasons for this. The use pattern for in the bar chart, ag-related complaints still the herbicide dicamba has changed greatly. have a ways to go before they are back to the We know from personal experience or news low numbers we saw in 2015 and 2016, but reports that pes- it appears the ticide misuse can label restrictions have serious con- placed on soybean sequences. Due applications of to the immediacy dicamba in 2020 of today’s media, are working newsworthy er- to reduce the rors are known number of misuse to many people cases compared quickly. Most to that of recent recently as more years. folks are working IDA also from home, they received are more aware of numerous informal complaints in recent sprayers out in fields. Furthermore, as urban years. Often people just wanted a problem areas expand more readily into rural areas, to be recognized without a formal record. some spray applications are made closer to Fortunately, many of the concerns brought to homes than in the past. In areas like this, the IDA’s attention were alleviated quickly with public’s tolerance for misapplications is very educational information. These inquiries allow low. Herbicide injury can be easily noticed on Illinois Pesticide Review 11 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June the IDA to educate consumers about pesticides including wind speed and direction during and provide them with resources like those application. found on the National Pesticide Information Should a complaint need to be filed, it must Center (NPIC) website and the University of be received within 30 days of the incident or Illinois Pesticide Safety Education Program when the damage was first noticed. If a person website. It is IDA’s goal to resolve these types waits to file the complaint, it will be recorded of issues quickly and separately to allow but no action will be taken. Please note that the program to dedicate more resources to the Department’s role in pesticide misuse complex, high-risk investigations. incidents is limited to determining whether a With formal complaints, initial allegations violation has occurred. The IDA cannot help often raise concerns, but it is common for complainants recover damages. For more many investigations to conclude that the information, call the Illinois Department evidence does not demonstrate pesticide of Agriculture, Bureau of Environmental misuse. These investigations still provide an Programs at 1-800-641-3934 (voice and TDD) or opportunity to verify compliance however. 217-785-2427. Additionally, what can complicate matters a bit is vapor drift, which is capable of Maria Turner traveling a few miles from an application. In 2019, atmospheric conditions contributed 2021 Agricultural to more instances of vapor drift. If vapor drift is suspected but the source cannot be Container Recycling determined, a label violation cannot be found. Schedule When violations are found, the outcomes include different administrative actions, such The Illinois Department of Agriculture has as sending written warning letters, notices of announced the single-day collection sites and fines, or penalties issued. dates for the 2021 Pesticide Container Recy- Misuse complaints and cases can be reduced cling Program. Dates and locations are avail- with proper pesticide use which starts able on the Illinois Department of Agriculture before application. Take time to observe the website. https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/En- surrounding area. Look for children, nearby vironment/Agrichemicals/Pages/Agrichemical- farm workers, and sensitive crops. Then, read Container-Recycling-Program.aspx. the label. If vapor drift is a concern, label Year-round disposal is available at three statements will direct users so that it can be permanent collection sites. Please call to avoided. Some label directions specify the ensure the facility will be open. maximum wind speed for application. Other • Griggsville, IL. Logan Agri Sry, Inc., labels simply indicate the product should contact Josh Schaver, 217-833-2375 not be used when weather conditions favor drift. Strong winds blowing pesticides onto • Lawrenceville, IL. Klein Flying Service, surrounding properties result in the largest contact Robert Klein, 618-884-1040 number of complaints, so care should be taken • Carmi, IL. Klein Flying Service, contact to apply when winds are between 3 and 10 mph Bri Klein, 812-890-8605 and directed away from sensitive vegetation. The Illinois Department of Agriculture Other precautions include leaving a buffer is encouraging farmers and agrichemical strip, increasing droplet size, lowering spray facilities to save their empty agrichemical pressure and using a drift control additive. containers. Beginning in late July Finally, keep accurate, detailed records, and continuing in August, single-day Illinois Pesticide Review 12 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June sites throughout the state will collect Preparing pesticide containers for containers. The containers will be recycled to recycling: make shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, plastic lumber and other useful Rinsing right after use is the best way to ensure a products. Over 1.6 million pounds of plastic clean container. Depending on what system fits your have been collected since the program started operation, you can either triple rinse or pressure more than 20 years ago. rinse your containers. Your local agricultural Metal and household pesticide chemical dealer can give you more information containers are not eligible for the recycling about pressurized rinse systems. program. Collection sites will accept only high- Triple Rinsing density polyethylene, #2 plastic agrichemical containers that are clean and dry. Participants 1. Fill the empty container about 20% full are responsible for rinsing them and removing with water. all caps, labels, booklets and foil seals. 2. Replace the cap securely and shake the Mini-Bulk and Intermediate Bulk containers contents to rinse all inside surfaces. can be recycled via the Department’s container 3. Pour rinse water into the spray tank and recycling program by making the following drain for at least 30 seconds. container preparations: Mini Bulk (cage) 4. Repeat steps 1-3 twice more until the containers are required to be cut into separate container is clean. top, bottom and sides, fittings discarded (no metal, no wood) (6 slabs of plastic). 5. Inspect the container (inside and out) for Intermediate Bulk Containers are to be cut formulation residues. Repeat as needed. into 1-foot square pieces, fittings discarded Pressure Rinsing (no metal, no wood). In 2021, G. Phillips and Sons, LLC Began offering services to pick up 1. Use a special nozzle attached to a water Mini-Bulk and Intermediate Bulk containers hose. throughout the year. Please feel free to contact G. Phillips and Sons, LLC at 678-232-6047 2. Hold the container upside down over the to learn more about their Mini-Bulk and spray tank with the cap removed. Puncture Intermediate Bulk container collection service. the side of the container with the pointed nozzle. The program is a cooperative venture between the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Agriculture 3. Pressurized water cleans the inside surfaces Container Recycling Council, GROWMARK, Inc., while the rinsate flows into the spray tank. Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, G. 4. Rinse for 30 seconds or longer while Phillips and Sons, L.L.C., Illinois Farm Bureau, rotating the nozzle to rinse all surfaces. and the University of Illinois Extension.Additional information can be found on the IDOA website at 5. Inspect the container (inside and out) for agriculture.illinois.gov, click on the “Environment” formulation residues. Repeat as needed. tab and then “Agrichemicals”. To obtain a free brochure about the program, call the Illinois Illinois Department of Agriculture, May 11, 2021 Department of Agriculture toll-free at 1-800-641- press release, modified by Travis Cleveland 3934. Illinois Pesticide Review 13 Volume 34, No. 3, May/June

IDOA Schedules Clean materials collected.” Participants must register the products Sweep Collection they plan to dispose of by Thursday, July 22. Registration is required to give the waste Residents of ten Illinois counties can dispose disposal contractor time to prepare for the of unwanted agrichemicals for free this year different kinds of materials that will need to through the Illinois Department of Agricul- be handled. Forms can be obtained either by ture’s (IDOA) agricultural pesticide “Clean calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Sweep” program. Pesticide Hotline at 1-800-641-3934, online at “Clean Sweep” collections have been https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Pesticides/ scheduled in late summer for Clay, Edwards, Pages/Pesticide-Clean-Sweep-Program.aspx. Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne and White counties. The Completed forms should be mailed or faxed collection, which rotates among Illinois to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The counties, is open to farmers, retired mailing address is: Clean Sweep Program, Illinois farmers, nursery owners, private pesticide Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. applicators, structural applicators Box 19281, Springfield, IL, 62794-9281. The fax and landowners who inherited unwanted number is (217) 524-4882. Participants then will be agricultural pesticides with their property. sent a reservation card indicating the date, time and location of their collection. “There are two main reasons to take advantage of this program,” said Brad Beaver, The “Clean Sweep” program began in 1990 in Acting Bureau Chief of Environmental Illinois. Since the inception of the program, the Programs. “One, the Department is able to Department has held 51 collection events through provide the service free of charge thanks to a the state and collected 609,619 pounds of material grant obtained from the U.S. Environmental from 2,177 participants. Visit IDOA’s website for a Protection Agency. If individuals were to complete listing of the 2021 Clean Sweep Program properly dispose of agrichemicals on their sponsors. own, it would be expensive. Secondly, the state of Illinois, not the program participant, will Illinois Department of Agriculture, May 25, 2021 assume liability for the proper disposal of all press release, modified by Travis Cleveland

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

Michelle Wiesbrook Extension Specialist, Pesticide Safety Education Email: [email protected]

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