I have multiple chemical senstivities and i really really really don't want my next-door neighbour putting pesticides on his back yard just because he wants grass and not moss in his (fairly) shady yard. I said I would investigate alternatives, but i don't have much time. he knows we're going away for the Easter weekend and figures if he does it then it "won't affect me" - despite the fact that the stuff will get into our shared water table and etc. and i find out my own husband wants to "do something" about the moss in *our* backyard as well. I'm trying not to panic here, so please help! TIA geri
Maybe the active ingredients aren't among those that bother you - or are likely to get into the water table. And if you're not nearby when it is applied, you won't be exposed to the dust.
Moss killer products normally contain either iron sulphate (9 to 14% usually) or iron phosphate. you can contact the manufacturer or the retailer for a copy of the MSDS sheet for the product in question which you could take to your doctor for a look over and he should be able to identify any problem ingredients for you. They will normally contain a fertilizer also which would contain NPK (the three big numbers) and sometimes a handful of trace elements. The MSDS sheet is the key, it has all the info on it, start there.
Hi Gerimaple, You say pesticides but talk of moss which would probably be an herbicide, so I'm a bit confused. If it's just the moss that is the problem, then just killing it with whatever isn't going to solve the problem long term. Moss grows where the conditions are right for it's survival, so the conditions need to be changed for it to go away and stay away. Here's some sites about moss, lawns and organic solutions to lawn problems. It may help to print out some of this to share. Moss info: http://science.oregonstate.edu/moss.html http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC2363.htm http://users.bestweb.net/~habitat/Controlling Moss and Algae in the Lawn.htm Organic lawn care: http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/compost/organic.htm http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-18-142,00.html http://216.109.89.116/backyardwildlifehabitat/organiclawn.cfm http://www.members.tripod.com/~Gardeningguru/index-11.html Lawn renovation: http://www.freeplants.com/lawnrenov.htm http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/knowhow/yardandgarden/article/0,16417,482229,00.html http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/lawn_overseeding.html Organic weed control: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2002/020515.htm http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/weeds/ http://www.newfarm.org/depts/talking_shop/0303/zimmer.shtml http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/weeds/2002110117013092.html http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/greenline/99v4/gl9904.03.html I've been told that Lowe's now carries horticultural vinegar. http://www.greensense.net/vinegar.html http://www.savvygardener.com/Reviews/Products/bradfield_vinegar.html Pesticide/herbicide health effects on humans: http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/facts-slides-self/facts/gen-posaf-health.html http://www.ipmofalaska.com/files/profiles.html Organic Pesticide control info: http://www.pesticide.org/factsheets.html http://www.beyondpesticides.org/index.html http://pested.unl.edu/ http://cipm.ncsu.edu/ent/biocontrol/ http://www.buglogical.com/index.asp#catalog http://www.ghorganics.com/page9.html Household info: http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm http://www.betterbasics.com/ Where to find organic stuff if you can't find locally: http://www.gardensalive.com/index.asp?bhcd2=1075148306 http://www.extremelygreen.com/ http://ourgarden.pair.com/mars/BRProductInfo.htm http://www.planetnatural.com/tableofcontents.html http://www.milkyspore.com/ http://www.biconet.com/ I hope I've covered all your concerns here. I too have chemical sensitivities, so I truly understand. I tried to break this info down to be sure to cover all your areas of concern. If you need more info, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck and enjoy your Easter weekend. Newt
Right, forgot about those. Thank you. Though I don't *think* he's actually purchased anything. I'm going to call the garden centre closest to us and the one across town more known for organic gardening and see what they recommend. Thanks for the input. Geri
Those are always possibilities. But you know how medicines and such always list "common, rare and exceedingly rare side effects"? I usually get the rare ones and frequently the exceedingly rare ones. But thanks for the reminder that not everything has to be bad for me. Geri
You're absolutely right, I did mean herbicide. It was late and I was freaking out so I wasn't thinking well. Thanks for pointing this out nicely :) You have helped significantly. This in combination with my own research and some info some friends found for me should resolve this problem and hopefully prevent a few more. Thanks very much. Geri
Jimmyq, great idea. Geri, you are so very welcome! Here's the sheets Jimmyq suggested. http://msds.ehs.cornell.edu/ Newt
Herbicides are pesticides. Pesticides covers both herbicides and insecticides (and other pesticides). Pesticide does not refer to insecticides only.
Ron B beat me to it. I was gonna chirp about the pesticides grouping herbicides, insecticides, molluscicides (slugs anyone?) and other wonderful stuff.
Dang, learn something new everyday!!! But, when I search sites like PAN Pesticides Database, I can't seem to find info on herbicides. Any thoughts on that? Maybe I'm doing something wrong?? Newt
Suggestion: I had moss growing everywhere, even in sunny well drained areas. Tried all the expensive usual suspects in trying to control it with limited success. Started experimenting and found that a strong mixture of regular, over the counter household Ammonia does the trick. Mix in a sprayer 75% ammonia - 25% water. Spray liberally as it's not expensive. Be careful not to spray into your eyes or breathe it too much as it'll hurt. Don't do it on windy day so your neighbors won't complain about the 'aroma'. The stuff evaporates quick and does work. Also, the grass likes it!! Non-toxic. Cheers!
Interesting....There are some hazards with ammonia so caution would be advised. And of course you wouldn't want to use the kind with additives like detergent or fragrance. Here is a link to a page about ammonia: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts126.html Any comments on this from people who know more about chemistry, toxins and the effects of ammonia on the garden?
