Ottawa Man Questions Garden Magazine's "Helpful Hints"
MIKE CHRISTIE
MAR 31, 2001
March 31, 2001
Ms. Lorraine Hunter
Editor
Plant and Garden
c/o Helpard Publishing
Dear Ms. Hunter;
Re: Helpful Hints for a Healthy Lawn (Plant and Garden April 2001 Page 8)
The recent article titled "Helpful Hints for a Healthy Lawn" that
appeared in the April 2001 issue of Plant and Garden caught my
attention when the author was recommending that "To control grubs
the best solution is an insecticide spray such as Diazinon".
I wondered why anyone would recommend the use of Diazinon to your
Plant and Garden readers given that both the EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency) and the PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency)
recently announced that its use will be phased-out by 2004. Is it
still 'safe' to use until then?
For those who happened to watch the 'Nature of Things' documentary
titled 'Toxic Legacies' (CBC, March 14th & 18th) and/or PBS's 'Trade
Secrets' (March 26th) they will understand why there is a growing
concern over the use of chemical pesticides of the synthetic variety
in our communities.
Can you help me understand the logic in recommending Diazinon? Are
there 'safer' alternatives to controlling grubs that you could
recommend?
Regards,
Mike Christie
Nepean Ontario
|
