What alternatives to chemical control of pests does the City of Renton use?
The City of Renton Parks considers all alternatives to managing pests. Power sweeping trails, hand pulling weeds, flame-torching weeds, using weed barrier fabrics, and hand picking insects are some of the methods used to control pests. During 2002, City staff and volunteers worked 20,000 man-hours to hand-weed shrub and flower beds. Following hand-weeding, beds are treated with a two inch coat of finely shredded bark mulch which reduces subsequent weed growth. A flame torch is used along sidewalks to remove weeds growing through cracks. The Parks Division utilizes its best management practices and has tested different weed barrier fabrics to determine which are the most effective in controlling weeds. Weed barrier fabrics are used mainly during trail construction projects. Staff handpicks caterpillars from vegetation when they become concentrated and pose a threat to trees and shrubs. Using biological control, the City has used ladybird beetles that feed on tree aphids. When and how do
