Best Management Practices

Landscaping, Gardening & Pest Control
 
Best Management Practices for:

Boarding Stables, Equestrian Centers, Small Farms, and Urban Horse Owners

Landscaping and garden maintenance activities can be major contributors to pollution. Soils, yard wastes, over watering and garden chemicals become part of the urban runoff mix that winds its way through streets, gutters and storm drains before entering the Las Vegas Wash.

Poorly functioning sprinklers and over watering, for example, waste water and increase the number of pollutants flowing into storm drains.

Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are washed off lawns and landscaped areas. These chemicals not only kill garden invaders, they also harm useful insects and contaminate ground and surface water.

Leaves, grass clippings and tree trimmings that are swept or blown into the street and gutter are also Las Vegas Wash polluters. These wastes clog catch basins, increasing the risk of flooding on your street, and carry garden chemicals into the Las Vegas Wash. As they decompose, they also absorb oxygen aquatic life need to survive.

Garden Location and Site Design
     
  Protect stockpiles and materials from wind and rain by storing them under tarps or secured plastic sheeting. Schedule grading and excavation projects for dry weather. Prevent erosion by planting fast-growing annual and perennial grasses. These will shield and bind the soil.
     
Garden & Lawn Maintenance
     
  Do not overwater. Conserve water by using irrigation practices such as drip irrigation, soaker hoses or micro-spray systems. In communities with curbside yard waste recycling, place clippings and pruning waste in approved containers for pickup. Or, take clippings to a landfill that composts yard waste.

Do not blow or rake leaves into the street, gutter or storm drains. Use organic or non-toxic fertilizers. Do not over-fertilize and do not fertilize near streets, storm drains or other water bodies. Store pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in a covered area to prevent runoff.
     
Pesticide Use
     
 

The "chemicals-only" approach to pest control is only a temporary fix. A more common-sense approach is needed for a long-term solution. It is called Integrated Pest Management.

Plan your "IPM" strategy in this order:

1. Physical Controls

  • Caulking holes or hand picking
  • Barriers or Traps

2. Biological Controls

  • Predatory insects (e.g. Green lacewings eat aphids)
  • Bacterial insecticides (e.g. Bacillus thuringiensis kills caterpillars)

3. Chemical Controls - Your Last Resort

Use these least-toxic products:

  • Dehydrating dusts (e.g. silica gel)
  • Insecticidal soaps
  • Boric acid powder
  • Horticultural oils
  • Pyrethrin-based insecticides
     
Safe Substitutes for Pest Control
     
  Garden Aphids and Mites - Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and 1 cup of vegetable oil. Add 1 teaspoon of this mixture to a cup of water and spray. (Oil may harm vegetable plants in the cabbage family.)

Caterpillars - When caterpillars are eating, apply products containing Bacillus thuringiensis to leaves.

Ants - Place boric acid powder or hydramethylnon baits in problem areas, cracks and insect walkways. It is a mild poison, so be sure it is inaccessible to children and pets.

Roaches - Apply boric acid powder to cracks and entry points (see ants above). Place bay leaves on pantry shelves.
     
If You Must Use Pesticides
     
  Use a pesticide that is specifically designed to control your pest. The insect should be listed on the label. Approximately 90% of the insects on your lawn and garden are not harmful.

Read labels! Use only as directed. In their zeal to control the problem, many gardeners use pesticides at over 20 times the rate that farmers do.
     
Pesticide Disposal
     
  Household toxics–such as pesticides, cleansers and motor oil–can pollute the Las Vegas Wash and poison groundwater if disposed of in storm drains or gutters.
Rinse empty pesticide containers and use rinse water as you would the product. Dispose of empty rinsed containers in the trash.

To dispose of your household hazardous waste, Republic Services of Southern Nevada conducts Household Hazardous Waste roundups every few months. Drop off times are from Wednesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at 333 West Gowan Road. Please contact Republic Services at 702-734-5400 for the available collection dates and information.

Dumping toxics into the street, gutter or storm drain is illegal!
     
   
Waste Water Disposal

For additional information about proper disposal of industrial waste water at your business, call the Wastewater Treatment Agency in your area:

Boulder City 293-9266
City of Las Vegas 229-6594
City of Henderson 565-2810
Clark County 434-6600
North Las Vegas 633-1290
Hazardous Materials Disposal

For additional information about proper handling, transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous materials, call the local fire department in your area:

Boulder City 293-9228
City of Las Vegas 229-0366
City of Henderson 565-2165
Clark County 434-7316
North Las Vegas 633-1102
Hazardous Waste Consultation

For free consultation about proper disposal of industrial waste at your business, call the Nevada Small Business Development Center, Business Environmental Program at 1-800-882-3233.