Carbofuran Use in the Pacific Northwest
Date: May 08, 2006
To: Jill Bloom
Cc: Rocky Lundy, Rick
Melnicoe, et al.
From: Jane
M. Thomas
Subject: Metaldehyde Use on PNW Mint (Ref: 2006-9-2)
Jill below please find additional PNW information regarding the use of metaldehyde in mint production. This information was provided by Rocky Lundy with the Mint Industry Research Council. ~ Jane
Jane M. Thomas
Pacific
Northwest Comment Coordinator
Pesticide
Notification Network Coordinator
Pest Management Resource Service
Washington State University Tri-Cities
2710 University Drive
Richland, WA 99354
phone: 509-372-7493
fax: 509-372-7491
From: Rocky Lundy
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 9:51 AM
To: Jane M. Thomas
Cc: dwalsh@wsu.edu
Subject: Metaldehyde Use on Mint?
From: Jane M. Thomas [mailto:jmthomas@tricity.wsu.edu]
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2006 2:57 PM
To: Rocky Lundy
Subject: MKetaldehyde Use on Mint?
I received a request from EPA via USDA for use information for the slug
and snail product metaldehyde. I am trying to get a handle on the
uses in our region. I know metaldehyde is used in mint and would
appreciate some help with the following questions. If you could
have your response back to me in the next few days that would behelpful:
1) Is
metaldehyde used only for slug control or are snails also a problem in
PNW mint production?
The great majority if not all metaldehyde applications
in mint are for control of slugs.
2)
Is metaldehyde used as a granular/pelletized
version or as a liquid? All applications are
granular/pellet.
3)
Is
there any aerial application of metaldehyde? No
4) How many metaldehyde applications
are made to mint in a growing season and roughly what percentage of
the acreage is treated with metaldehyde? Metaldehyde
is applied in mint only once (early spring) and the majority of applications
are regional in nature with the Willamette Valley of Oregon being the
worst in regards to slug infestations/problems although even areas
such as the Yakima Valley which have a much dryer/warmer climate can
experience slug problems if certain weather conditions develop/exist. In
areas such as the Willamette Valley up to 50% of the acreage can be
treated for slugs in a given year whereas other dryer areas may need
to be treated only once very 5-7 years depending on the weather. The
percentage of these treated acres would be dependent upon the level
of infestation, crop rotation and other factors in the given year.
5) What are the alternatives
to metaldehyde and if they are efficacious why aren’t they used? There
are no alternatives to this product for controlling slugs/snails in
mint.
