North Dakota State University
NDSU Extension Service
Volume 21, No. 1, January 2003
Dr. Catherine H. Daniels, Pesticide Coordinator, Washington State University
In May 2002, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) issued a press release describing their research on weed control using vinegar. The research was prompted by the organic farming community's need for an inexpensive and environmentally benign weed killer. Greenhouse and field studies indicated that while 5% vinegar solutions did not produce reliable weed control, solutions of 10, 15, and 20% provided 80-100% control of certain annual weeds (foxtail, lambsquarters, pigweed, and velvetleaf). Perennial weeds (Canada thistle) treated with 5% vinegar showed 100% shoot burndown but roots were not affected, therefore shoots always re-grew. Study details can be found at: www.barc.usda.gov/anri/sasl/vinegar.html.
The press release noted the potential use of vinegar as an ideal sidewalk crack and crevice treatment. Homeowners around the Pacific Northwest had already heard about purported vinegar uses for killing blackberries in a June 6, 2001, Seattle Post Intelligencer article and had deluged Cooperative Extension offices and Master Gardeners for more information. (See also "Acetic Acid: Miracle Herbicide? Sour Product Promises Sweet Results," AENews Issue No. 185, September 2001). There is something appealing about the idea of a commonly available, inexpensive material such as household vinegar being effective against weeds. It does not harm people, in fact people consume it every day, yet it is deadly to our mortal enemies: lawn weeds. Why, such is the stuff of dreams in the pesticide issues arena!
From Dreams to Reality
Well, I hate to be one who breaks the bad news, but we're not talking about household vinegar here. The typical strength of the stuff we toss with olive oil or run through the cleaning cycle on our coffee makers is 5% acetic acid, a concentration shown to be less-than-reliable by the ARS study. Beyond that sad fact, responsible stewardship requires that those of us in the business of making pesticide recommendations ask certain questions before embracing a pest control technology. The first of those questions should be, "What products containing this ingredient are registered for use?"
Five herbicide products are currently registered in Washington State that contain acetic acid. Two of them come as 25% concentrates with instructions to dilute down to 6.25% and use on rights-of-ways, non-crop, and industrial lands (St. Gabriel Labs Burn Out Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate, Nature's Glory Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate). While these may be useful to commercial applicators, they are not labeled for home uses. Three products are labeled for homeowner use (St. Gabriel Labs' Fast Acting Burn Out RTU, Nature's Glory Weed and Grass Killer RTU, Greenergy's Blackberry and Brush Block). Their acetic acid concentrations are 6.25%, 6.25%, and 7% respectively. Curiously, Greenery's product label lists acetic acid as an inert ingredient; citric acid is listed as the active ingredient. By listing the ingredients this way, Greenergy is able to take advantage of EPA's "Minimum Risk Pesticide" definition. Products falling under this category are also known as "25(b) products" after the FIFRA rule describing criteria for minimum risk pesticides. Such products need not be registered at the Federal level and do not carry an EPA registration number. However, Washington law requires that 25(b) products go through the Washington State Department of Agriculture's (WSDA) registration process regardless. Oregon law allows the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to follow EPA's lead on 25(b)s, so Greenergy does not have to register Blackberry and Brush Block in Oregon. Fast Acting Burn Out RTU is not registered in Oregon, leaving Nature's Glory Weed and Grass Killer RTU and Blackberry and Brush Block legal for use in Oregon.
Down to Earth With a Thump
Another question we must pose if we are to make responsible pesticide recommendations is whether the active ingredient in question works under environmental conditions found in our region. Preliminary field tests in Washington State using 7% vinegar solutions showed results similar to the ARS study at 5%, namely lack of reliable weed control. While extension personnel in Washington and Oregon are able to legally recommend any of the homeowner-registered products listed above (three in Washington, two in Oregon), the data demonstrates erratic weed control. In other words, people should be told that if they want to use vinegar at the registered concentrations it might not work in their situation.
Turning Up the Juice
A few weeks ago a product called Bradfield Horticultural Vinegar (20% acetic acid), sold by Bradfield Industries, was found in a Washington home and garden center. At first glance it seemed the answer consumers had been clamoring for. Upon closer examination however, the product is not registered with EPA and does not qualify under the Minimum Risk Pesticide category for non-registration. The Colorado Department of Agriculture went so far as to issue a media release, warning consumers about the unregistered product (www.ag.state.co.us/commissioner/press/2002/Vinegar.html).
Apparently the company is trying to take advantage of a gray area of the legal system. There is a part of federal law which states that if a product clearly has uses other than as a pesticide AND the company makes no claims about that product having pesticidal uses, it does not have to be registered as a pesticide. This law makes sense for things like citric acid, culinary herbs and their oils, and other products that are used in a wide range of applications besides pesticides. Acetic acid has numerous other uses so it, too, falls under this category.
Bradfield Industries tried to market their product in Oregon with herbicide uses listed on the label. Oregon Department of Agriculture inspectors contacted Bradfield and told them that if they made pesticide claims on their label, it would have to be registered as a pesticide in Oregon. The company subsequently changed their label. The Bradfield jugs found at the Washington home and garden center bore a plain label stating the product's name and acetic acid percentage only. But here's the kicker: attached to the jug handles by a twist-tie were information sheets discussing some of the common uses for acetic acid: cleaning farm equipment, lowering pH in fertigation and other foliar sprays, AND AS A HERBICIDE! These attached sheets also state that "since vinegar is on the EPA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) List, registration is unnecessary." That statement is misleading and only partially true. Acetic acid is on the list of GRAS inerts, but it is not on the GRAS active ingredient list (remember our earlier explanation of the Greenergy product?)
When we put a call into the Colorado Department of Agriculture to ask them about their concerns, we were referred to Judith Sturgess, EPA Region VII, who is handling an EPA action against Bradfield Industries. This action involves a stop sale order as well as a civil complaint with a financial penalty. EPA's position, according to Ms. Sturgess, is that the vinegar product is illegal as it is not registered as a pesticide, is not in the registration queue, and is not eligible for Minimum Risk status, yet is being distributed with information describing a pesticide use. EPA bases their position on information sheets found with the product and also on information from the Bradfield Web site at www.bradfieldind.com/ , which continues to describe the product as a herbicide.
In A Pickle
Let's see where this series of events has brought us. USDA-ARS has done research to show that 20% concentrations of acetic acid work to control weeds. Many people are clamoring for access to products with these high concentrations, yet no company seems willing to go through the EPA registration process with a 20% product. Adding to the problem, it seems that some USDA personnel are locating sources of 20% product (distributors who sell 20% vinegar to food outlets) and recommending them to the public as sources of herbicide. We have received e-mails to this effect and have followed Web threads evidencing such recommendations.
Can those of us in extension take the name short cut and recommend the higher (unregistered) concentrations, or in fact give people lists of distributors? The answer, at least in Washington State, is NO. There is a legal fine point buried in here. If any material claims to kill pests (weeds) it becomes a pesticide, no matter who does the "claiming." We cannot make a recommendation for an unregistered pesticide. Okay, so what if the material does not claim to be a "pesticide," it is simply a "food grade 20% solution" (normally) sold to those who make pickles? Can we recommend it then? The answer is again, NO. As Ms. Sturgess pointed out, making lists of 20% vinegar outlets is tantamount to directing people to use an unregistered pesticide.
Some may ask what is the big deal over such picky paperwork details when people are clamoring to use the product? After all, isn't the catchphrase of the marketplace "Let the buyer beware"? Besides being legally culpable in recommending unregistered pesticides, we have practical safety concerns for homeowners. Homeowners are not trained in safe handling and storage of concentrated chemicals. Acetic acid concentrations over 11% can cause burns upon skin contact. Eye contact can result in severe burns and permanent corneal injury. The 25% acetic acid concentrations registered through EPA and the states for commercial use all have restricted entry intervals of 48 hours and list personal protection equipment to be used by the applicator. None of this safety information is included on the twist-tie information on the jug of Bradfield Horticultural Vinegar. Because the public is used to thinking of vinegar as something you can safely splash on your salad and eat they are generally unaware of potential dangers of a higher concentration.
Concentrating on Solutions
The simple solution seems to be for a company to step forward and register the 20% concentration as a herbicide. Judging from the reactions on Web threads and from our own experience after publication of newspaper articles, there is certainly enough demand out there to make it profitable. Research, courtesy of USDA, has already been done. Extension stands ready to recommend registered products. So who will step up to the plate?
Dr. Catherine Daniels is Pesticide Coordinator for WSU and the Director of the Washington State Pest Management Resource Service, http://wsprs.wsu.edu. She can be reached at (509) 372-7495 or cdaniels@tricity.wsu.edu . Information presented in this article is condensed into a two-page fact sheet targeted at county agents available at http://wsprs.wsu.edu/VinegarFactSheet.pdf.
What follows are training schedules you can use for planning your training needs over the next several months. A pre-registration form is also in this issue of the PQ.
Online pre-registration is now available on the Web through our secure server. Electronic pre-registration forms can also be found there for downloading and printing (www.ndsupesticide.org).
Initial trainings are designed for new applicators or dealers needing to prepare to take certification exams. Recertification trainings are structured to give currently certified applicators information necessary to maintain or renew their certificates. Home study materials are available for those categories that are not available on the training calendar.
Please note, since the October Pesticide Quarterly, an additional training has been added for applicators recertifying in the AgPest, Research and Demonstration, Right of Way, and Seed Treatment Categories. The training will be held on April 8, 2003 at the Bismarck Doublewood Best Western Inn.
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DATE CATEGORY TRAINING TYPE PLACE TIME
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Feb 5 to 7, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Minot Feb 5
AgPest NDSU North Central Research Registration 1 p.m.
Right-of-Way Initial Extension, 5400 Hwy 83 S Training 1:30 to 5 p.m.
Testing Feb 7 Research & Demo Feb 6
Seed Treatment Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Test Review 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Feb 7
Testing 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Feb 25, 2003 Ground Commercial Fargo Registration 8 a.m.
Ornamental & Turf Doublewood Best Western Inn Hotel, Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greenhouse Initial & Recertification 3333 13th Ave S
Mar 18, 2003 Fumigation Commercial & Private IVN Sites: Registration 8 a.m.
Training 8:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Inter-Active Video Initial & Bismarck
Training Recertification BSC Campus VoTech Center, Room 216
Devils Lake
Seating is limited. Devils Lake Memorial Building
Preregistration Armory Meeting Room, 524 4th Ave.
is required. Fargo
NDSU Campus, Industrial Ag
Communications Center, Room 422
Minot
NDSU North Central Research
Extension Center, 5400 Hwy 83 S
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Mar 19 to 21, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Fargo Mar 19
AgPest NDSU Campus Registration 1 p.m.
Testing Mar 21 Right-of-Way Initial Training 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Research & Demo Mar 19-Loftsgard Hall, Room 114
Seed Treatment Mar 20
Mar 20-Loftsgard Hall, Room 114 Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Test Review 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Mar 21-Student Union,
Union Ballroom Mar 21
Testing 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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March 25, 2003 Ground Commercial Dickinson Registration 8 a.m. (MST)
Ornamental & Turf Travelodge Hotel Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greenhouse Initial & Recertification 532 15th St W
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Mar 26, 2003 Ground Commercial Devils Lake Registration 8 a.m.
Ornamental & Turf Ramsey County Courthouse Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greenhouse Initial & Recertification Meeting Room, 524 4th Ave.
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Mar 27, 2003 Ground Commercial Williston Registration 8 a.m.
Ornamental & Turf NDSU Research Extension Center, Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greenhouse Initial & Recertification 14120 Hwy 2
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Apr 21, 2003 Public Health Commercial IVN Sites: Registration 8:30 a.m. (CST)
Training 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Inter-Active Video Initial & Bismarck
Training Recertification BSC Campus VoTech Center, Room 228
Devils Lake
Seating is limited. Devils Lake Memorial Building
Preregistration Armory Meeting Room, 524 4th Ave.
is required. Dickinson
DSU North Campus, Room 104
Fargo
NDSU Campus, E. Morrow Lebedeff
Hall, Room 183
Minot
NDSU Research Extension Center,
5400 Hwy 83 S
Williston
WSC Campus Main Bldg, Room 120
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Feb 4, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Minot Registration 8:00 a.m.
AgPest NDSU North Central Research Training 8:30 a.m. to 4p.m.
Right-of-Way Recertification Extension Center, 5400 Hwy 83 S
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment
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Feb 13, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Devils Lake Registration 8:00 a.m.
AgPest Ramsey County Court Courthouse Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Right-of-Way Recertification Meeting Room, 524 4th Ave.
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment
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Feb 18, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Williston Registration 8:00 a.m.
AgPest NDSU Research Extension Center Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Right-of-Way Recertification 14120 Hwy 2
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment
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Feb 19, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial & Private Dickinson Commercial
AgPest Travelodge Hotel Registration 8 a.m. (MST)
Right-of-Way Recertification 532 15th St W Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment Private
Registration 12:30 p.m. (MST)
Training 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Feb 25, 2003 Ground Commercial Fargo Registration 8 a.m.
Ornamental & Turf Doublewood Best Western Inn Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greenhouse Initial & Recertification Hotel, 3333 13th Ave S
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Feb 28, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Park River Registration 8 a.m.
AgPest City Hall Auditorium Training 8:30 a.m. 4 p.m.
Right-of-Way Recertification 514 Briggs Ave S
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment
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Mar 3, 2003 Aerial Commercial Grand Forks Registration 8:30 a.m.
AgPest Recertification Only Alerus Center Training 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NDAAA Convention Right-of-Way 1200 42nd St S
Research & Demo
Aerial applicators only Seed Treatment
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Mar 7, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Jamestown Registration 8 a.m.
AgPest Recertification Dakota Inn Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Right-of-Way Hwy 281 South and I-94, Exit 258
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment
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Mar 12, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial West Fargo Registration 8 a.m.
AgPest Recertification Speedway Event Center Training 8:30a.m.-4 p.m
Right-of-Way 680 Main Ave W
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment
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Mar 18, 2003 Fumigation Commercial & Private IVN Sites: Registration 8 a.m.
Training 8:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Inter-Active Video Initial & Bismarck
Training Recertification BSC Campus VoTech Center, Room 216
Devils Lake
Seating is limited. Devils Lake Memorial Building
Preregistration Armory Meeting Room, 524 4th Ave.
is required. Fargo
NDSU Campus Industrial Ag
Communication Center, Room 422
Minot
NDSU North Central Research
Extension Center, 5400 Hwy 83 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 25, 2003 Ground Commercial Dickinson Registration 8 a.m. (MST)
Ornamental & Turf Travelodge Hotel, 532 15th St W Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greenhouse Initial & Recertification
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March 26, 2003 Ground Commercial Devils Lake Registration 8 a.m.
Ornamental & Turf Ramsey County Court Courthouse Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greenhouse Initial & Recertification Meeting Room, 524 4th Ave
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Mar 27, 2003 Ground Commercial Williston Registration 8 a.m.
Ornamental & Turf NDSU Research Extension Center Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Greenhouse Initial & Recertification 14120 Hwy 2
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Mar 31, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Carrington Registration 8 a.m.
AgPest Recertification NDSU Research Extension Center Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Right-of-Way 663 Hwy. 281 N
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment
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Apr 8, 2003 Ground & Aerial Commercial Bismarck Registration 8 a.m.
AgPest Recertification Doublewood Best Western Inn, Training 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Right-of-Way 1400 East Interchange Ave
Research & Demo
Seed Treatment
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Apr 21, 2003 Public Health Commercial IVN Sites: Registration 8:30 a.m. (CST)
Training 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Inter-Active Video Initial & Bismarck
Training Recertification BSC Campus VoTech Center, Room 228
Devils Lake
Seating is limited. Devils Lake Memorial Building
Preregistration Armory Meeting Room, 524 4th Ave.
is required. Dickinson
DSU North Campus, Room 104
Fargo
NDSU Campus, E. Morrow
Lebedeff Hall, Room 183
Minot
NDSU Research Extension
Center, 5400 Hwy 83 S
Williston
WSC Campus Main Bldg, Room 120
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Personal Employer/Business
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name___________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________
Address _______________________________________ Address ________________________________________
Phone _________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________
Date of Birth _________________________________ Fax ____________________________________________
E-mail ________________________________________ E-mail _________________________________________
N.D. County of Residence ______________________ N.D. Commercial Pesticide ID _________________________
Core Status: ()Ground ()Aerial
Certification Status: ()Applicator ()Dealer ()Consultant
Do you work for a Government agency? ()Yes ()No
Is this certification for research and demonstration purposes? ()Yes ()No
A. Training Date (base fee $43 + $10 per category)* Study materials provided at training
Pre-registrations must be postmarked 10 days prior to training date.
Date ____________ City ______________________________________________________
()AgPest ()Home Industrial/Institutional ()Right of Way ()Vertebrate
()Fumigation ()Ornamental & Turf ()Seed Treatment ()Wood Preservatives
()Greenhouse ()Public Health
Date ____________ City ______________________________________________________
()AgPest ()Home Industrial/Institutional ()Right of Way ()Vertebrate
()Fumigation ()Ornamental & Turf ()Seed Treatment ()Wood Preservatives
()Greenhouse ()Public Health
B. Study Materials (base fee $43 + $10 per category) Provide complete street address for UPS delivery.
()AgPest ()Home Industrial/Institutional ()Right of Way ()Vertebrate
()Fumigation ()Ornamental & Turf ()Seed Treatment ()Wood Preservatives
()Greenhouse ()Public Health
Fee: Base Fee $43
Number of Categories X$10= $________
Subtotal $________ Pay this amount if requesting Study Materials
Subtract $10 for Pre-Registration -$10
Total Pre-Registration Fee $________
Method of payment: (payment must be included)
()Credit Card
()Visa ()MasterCard ()Discover Credit card #________________________________
Expiration (mo/yr)______/______ Cardholder name (print)__________________________________________
()Check/Money Order #_____________(payable to NDSU Extension Pesticide Program)
Signature________________________________________________________________________Date ______/______/______
Return to:
NDSU Extension Pesticide Programs Phone 701/231/7180
Box 5051 NDSU Fax 701/231/8474
Fargo, ND 58105-5051
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The EPA has begun a phase out of all non-agriculture outdoor uses of Diazinon, the popular general-purpose insecticide. This includes home lawns and gardens or any other outdoor residential or outdoor non-agricultural use. Important dates to remember are listed below:
In the meantime, diazinon can still be used by pesticide applicators according to the label directions until the supply is completely used. However, retailers can sell no diazinon product after Dec. 31, 2004. Technical registrants will begin buying back existing products from retailers after the stop-sale date.
Any Diazinon labeled for indoor use can not be sold after December 31, 2002. This includes Diazinon labeled for homes, schools, stores and other enclosed areas such as greenhouses.
Need help with pesticide certification or general pesticide use issues?
Contact :
NDSU Pesticide Training and Certification Program
Box 5051, Fargo, ND 58105-5051
Tel: 701-231-7180 Fax: 701-231-8474
E-mail: pesticid@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Internet: www.ndsupesticide.org
Pesticide Quarterly, Volume 21, No. 1, January 2003
NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University of
Agriculture and Applied Science, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Sharon D. Anderson, Director, Fargo, North Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of
the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. We offer our programs and
facilities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion,
sex, disability, age, Vietnam era veterans status, or sexual orientation; and
are an equal opportunity employer.
This publication will be made available in alternative format for persons with
disabilities upon request 701/231-7881.