Why Best Management Practices?
Studies confirm that loss of pesticides to ground and surface waters continues to threaten water resources in the Northeast.1 Applying pesticides to saturated lawns or when wet weather is predicted greatly increases the risk of loss. It is evident that lawn care companies and homeowners need to better understand the risks of applying fertilizers and pesticides under unfavorable conditions, such as to saturated soils or just prior to heavy rain events. In 2005, despite these known risks, some Maine lawn care companies made hundreds of applications during a week when it rained over 3 inches, and this was preceded by a five-week period when more than 8.5 inches of rain was recorded. Because of these inappropriate practices, the Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) convened a committee to develop these Best Management Practices (BMPs). Heavy rains can easily wash away applications of fertilizers and pesticides from turf areas and move them into our precious and still somewhat pristine w
