Pesticides

Protecting Tulsa's Water Quality

Sometimes, people pollute our waterways without even knowing it. When it comes to our urban streams, the more you know, the cleaner the flow.

Tulsa has two types of sewers: a sanitary sewer that carries wastewater to a treatment plant and a storm sewer that carries rain and other runoff directly into our streams. Contaminated runoff, called nonpoint source pollution, is a major cause of pollution in Tulsa's waterways. We can reduce the pollution by keeping waste such as litter, lawn care chemicals, and other waste out of our sewers.

Pesticide Use Recommendations

• Calibrate your sprayer. Too little pesticide is ineffective and too much may harm the environment.

• Properly label all mixed solutions with solution name, date and use information.

• Do not over-water or apply when rain is in the forecast. Pesticides will wash below the plant roots.

• Do not apply when it is windy.

• Read the product label. Try to use low-toxicity, short-lived chemicals with low leaching potential to protect groundwater, streams and lakes.

• Treat your animal, home and yard at the same time. Ask your veterinarian about new flea and tick control products for pets.

• Do not pour rinse water into the storm sewer. After application, apply the tank rinse water to the yard.

How to Reduce Pesticide Use

• Landscape for low maintenance and use native plants to aid pest control.

• Attract birds or bats to your yard. They eat many types of insects including flies and mosquitoes. For more information, contact the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation at the Oklahoma Aquarium, (918) 299-2334.

Proper Disposal

• Cap the empty container, wrap it in newspaper, and promptly put it in the trash.

• Never pour pesticides into a street gutter or storm sewer.

• Never flush pesticides down an indoor drain or toilet.

• Drop off your household pollutants at our year-round facility. Call 311 to make an appointment. Learn more...

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Use these biological principles, cultural practices and some chemicals to control pest populations.

• Select adapted plant materials that are resistant to commonly occurring pests.

• Select high-quality seed or sod that is free of weeds, insects and disease.

• Use proper planting and establishing techniques to minimize perennial weeds and other problems.

• Identify the status and abundance of pests.

• Use mechanical alternatives, such as hand pulling or cultivation, instead of a pesticide.

• Use spot treatments instead of broadcast applications.

For More Information
Contact the Tulsa Master Gardener OSU Extension. They have trained experts to assist with your pesticide questions. (918) 746-3701.

Since foreign substances can pollute our waterways and cause flooding, you should never pour products down a drain, sewer or manhole. It also is a violation of City ordinance.

Leaves, grease, rags and other litter also cause problems when they get in our sewers.

Do your part to keep the drainage system clean. If you spot a blocked drain or suspect illegal dumping of products in the drainage system, call 311, and an inspector will investigate.