PestFactsNews is written especially for Extension agents who have horticulture and/or pest control responsibilities  and need information about the consumer use and professional application of pesticides and fertilizers. Please visit http://www.pestfacts.org/  for more information.   This newsletter is a service of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) a not-for-profit trade association representing producers and suppliers of specialty pesticides and fertilizers.               Global Harmonization How does global harmonization affect your job as an extension agent? Not too positively, said Allen James, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) during a presentation at the National Association of County Agricultural Agents annual meeting last week in Buffalo, New York. View the outline from his presentation here. To express your opinion about Global Harmonization in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, go here.   New Website Please visit the new and improved http://www.pestfacts.org/. This web site provides positive, factual information to anyone searching for background on urban pesticides, safe and responsible pesticide use and related issues in a user-friendly environment. The new site will also feature a section especially devoted to urban Extension agents.    Family May Sue Over Mouse A Central Florida family is threatening to sue after they say their Orlando apartment has been overrun with mice. Click here to read the entire article.     Dealing With Ticks Summer is warm weather season. Unfortunately, it’s also tick season. Learn more about ticks and how to handle them.   Should I Use Pesticides? Pesticides are the best way in many cases to deal with pest problems associated with plants and their health, but how can we know when pesticides should be used? The NASD has a few helpful hints for pesticide users to help you decide where, when and which pesticide is the right one for the job.      Turf Grass Workshop Join us October 12-13 in Arlington, Virginia for an informative workshop by several top turf grass researchers in the US. Presenters have been conducting studies on the amount of nutrient run-off from healthy turf versus other type landscapes and lawns as well as the environmental fate of pesticide products applied to turf grass. This workshop will offer top turf grass researchers from universities such as Cornell, Oklahoma State, and Texas A & M as well as industry researchers from Dow AgroSciences the opportunity to share their most recent studies with the turf grass industry and regulatory officials. The Turf Grass Workshop is sponsored by RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® and the Agrochemicals Division of the American Chemical Society. Click here to register.   CDC Approves New Mosquito Repellents The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has approved new guidelines for insect repellent use for two new active ingredients — Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. To read about the new products, click here.   Lawn and Garden Tips Pests come in a variety of forms: weeds, insects, animals, molds and fungi to name a few. Read some tips provide by EPA on lawn maintenance.   What is DEET? Summer months means pests. The best method to protect yourself from these bothersome insects is to use an insect repellant that contains DEET.  Get all the info on DEET.   CDC Report Released on Mosquito-Control Pesticides The recent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases have left vector control officials searching for methods other than habitat reduction and application of pesticides that kill mosquito larvae to control the problem. In response, the CDC has released a study titled Human Exposure to Mosquito-Control Pesticides – Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia, 2002 and 2003 that assesses human exposure to ULV naled, permethrin, and d-phenothrin used in emergency and large-scale mosquito control situations. The findings indicated ULV application in mosquito control activities resulted in minimal pesticide exposure to humans and does not represent a increased health risk. To read the report in its entirety, click here      A Little Green Grass for Iraq (photo left) This soldier is stationed in Iraq, which is basically a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him topsoil, fertilizer and some grass seeds so he could enjoy the sweet aroma and feel the grass grow beneath his feet.  If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of a scissors.  Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted.   (larger photo)     A message from RISE by Allen James, President of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)®   I’m certain all of you have answered a good many questions recently about pesticide/fertilizer bans and cosmetic use of these products.  There are many misperceptions associated with pesticides which have led to the introduction of legislation that is both damaging to our environment as well as to our safety and health.  Unfortunately, lawmakers are forgetting the many benefits of healthy grass as well as the dangers posed by pests.      Healthy turf grass filters groundwater; absorbs gas pollutants, dust and pollen; prevents the spread of fire and acts as a cooling agent.  A well-maintained average sized lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four and acts as an air-conditioner for the atmosphere.  A thick healthy lawn prevents soil erosion, cools and cleans the air, filters surface water, conserves rainfall, reduces noise and supports a complex organic environment.      Banning or restricting pesticide products could create an overabundance of pests.  Too many pests, in turn, could create health, safety and financial issues for the affected areas and result in loss of biodiversity and ecosystem stability.  The risk of becoming seriously ill from rodent, tick, or insect bites is real.       We all must work together to alleviate these misperceptions.  I encourage you to speak up when bans are proposed.  Explain to your local officials that these claims are not based on science and are not healthy for the community.  We need you to stand in opposition to these bans and explain the benefits of pesticides to assure sound science is considered in these debates.  Please feel free to call RISE at 202/872-3860 when you hear about a prospective ban.  RISE is prepared to act.  We can provide you information to share with your local community. Regards,         Allen James Allen     Do you know someone else who should receive this e-newsletter?  Perhaps a co-worker or friend?  Please forward this e-newsletter to them or provide us with their email address by clicking here.     To remove yourself from receiving future copies of PestFactsNews, please click here to unsubscribe.   Copyright 2005 RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment). All Rights Reserved.